Pros and Cons of Instant Approval Credit Cards

Instant approval credit cards have become increasingly popular. With the rushed lifestyle many are living and the need to get things done quickly, it is little wonder more and more people are turning to instant approval credit cards. But, are instant approval credit cards really so great? Furthermore, are there any drawbacks or things you need to be aware of before applying for an instant approval credit card online? The answer to both of these questions is yes, so let’s weigh the pros and cons of these types of cards.

Pro: Instant approval credit card online applications can get a card in your hand quickly.

For those needing the flexibility and freedom of a credit card right away, the fact that an instant approval credit card can take as little as one to two weeks to arrive in your mailbox is a definite plus. Regular credit cards can take up to eight weeks to be processed and sent to you. If you have a project you want to get started on right away, a vacation you want to take soon, or bill that need to be paid quickly, you simply don’t have eight weeks to wait.

Con: Not everyone gets their instant approval credit card right away.

Although instant approval credit cards are billed as “instant approval,” not everyone qualifies quite so quickly. In fact, if you have poor to mediocre credit, your instant approval credit card online application may be put on hold for a few days while the lending company looks into your credit history a little more thoroughly. In addition, instant approval is not the same as guaranteed approval. Therefore, usually only those with an above average credit history will be instantly approved. Of course, an instant approval credit card will still most likely arrive to you much quicker than a traditional credit card, but you might be disappointed to learn you have to wait a bit longer than you originally thought.

Con: Instant approval credit cards often have a higher interest rate than regular credit cards.

While not always true, instant approval credit cards usually have a higher interest rate than regular credit cards. This is how the lending company compensates for expediting the application process. It is also the price you pay for the convenience of instant approval. When looking for an instant approval credit card, be sure to explore all of your options to find one that does not have a terribly high interest rate.

Pro: Instant approval credit cards often have a special introductory rate.

While many instant approval credit cards have a higher interest rate than standard credit cards, they often have a special introductory low APR. This special rate can be as low as 0.00%. Financially, the best move you can make is to receive one of these cards, take advantage of the introductory rate, and pay off the balance in full before the interest rate kicks in. If you want to still use the card for purchases beyond the introductory period, be sure to pay the balance at the end of each billing cycle.

Con: Some instant approval credit cards need to be secured.

A secured instant approval credit card is one that you send money to ahead of time. Therefore, you are never actually borrowing money from a line of credit. Instead, you are using your own money. This type of credit card is really more of a debit card that allows you to spend from your own account. For those with poor credit, however, a secured instant approval credit card can be a great way to rebuild credit or to establish a credit history.

Pro: Instant approval credit cards look just like other credit cards, even if they are secured.

No matter what type of instant approval credit card you obtain – whether secured or unsecured – it looks the same as a regular credit card. Therefore, no one will know that your card was instantly approved or secured, which could potentially leave you feeling embarrassed.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at February 8th, 2011. No Comments.

Is An Instant Approval Credit Card Really Instant?

With so many scams and con artists out there, many people become skeptical when they hear deals that sound too good to be true. While this is generally a good practice to follow, your concerns can be set aside when it comes to instant approval credit cards online. There is no scam with these cards – you can be approved for a new credit card within a matter of seconds. Nonetheless, there are exceptions and a few points you should keep in mind when applying for instant approval credit cards.

Gaining Instant Approval

For those with a good or excellent credit history, instant approval credit cards generally come back as approved within a matter of seconds. This is because the credit card company is able to access your credit history records and credit score quickly. If your score and history meets the requirements for instant approval, your application will process quickly and smoothly.

In this case, you will generally receive a notification right away letting you know that you have been approved to be a card member. Depending on the instant approval credit card company, you might also learn right away what your credit limit will be. In other cases, you might need to wait a period of time to learn how much you will be able to charge to the card. This is because the credit card company needs to do more research to determine how much credit they can risk extending to you.

Getting Pending Approval

If your credit history is not so great or if your credit score is lower than the ideal score, you might receive a notification that your application is pending. In this case, the credit card company thinks you might still be a good candidate for the card, but needs to acquire additional information. Although this approval process is no longer “instant,” it is still far faster than with the traditional application process.

Generally, you will receive a notification letting you know whether or not you have been approved for the instant approval credit card within a couple weeks of application. With the traditional paper application process, it can take six to eight weeks to learn if you have been approved for card membership. Therefore, applying for an instant approval credit card can still be worthwhile if you want to expedite the entire process.

Getting Turned Down

It is important to note that instant approval credit cards are not the same as guaranteed approval credit cards. Therefore, it is possible to be turned down when applying for an instant approval credit card if you have very poor credit. In addition, it is possible to receive a pending approval notification only to be turned down later. If this happens, however, you should not be discouraged. There are credit cards designed for those with poor credit – even instant approval credit cards. For this reason, you should shop around carefully to find an instant approval credit card that targets those with poor credit and apply for that card rather than one that is targeted toward those with good or excellent credit.

Getting the Card

Although instant approval credit cards can be approved instantly, that doesn’t mean you receive it instantly. You will have to wait until you physically receive the credit card to start spending. This can take a couple weeks after you have been approved for the card. Nonetheless, the process is still much faster than going through the traditional paper application process. Those looking for “instant” gratification with their instant approval credit card will be sorely disappointed when they discover they cannot start spending right away.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at January 4th, 2011. No Comments.

Instant Credit Cards Online

Instant credit cards can now be applied for with the ability to use the credit card in just a matter of one minute. Nothing could be easier than applying and being approved online for instant credit cards.

You may be wondering how all this came to be since at one time not too long ago, it could take up to a month or more to be approved for a credit card, then receive it in the mail so you can begin reaping the benefits. What changed all this, of course, is easy access to the internet. All the major credit card companies such as American Express, CitiBank, Chase, and many more now give you the chance to fill out an application online. These websites offer a safe and secure way for you to complete the application online and then submit the application by just pushing the submit button. Now, just give them a few seconds and you will receive a response via email. Most of the time, if you have excellent or even just good credit, you will be approved, almost as fast as pushing the button and your credit card will be on its way.

Because of the internet all the information that you supplied can be verified online so you can receive approval for your instant credit cards. The banks or credit card companies can verify your credit by checking with the three national credit bureaus online, which are TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. They will get your FICO score to see what your credit rating is and learn if it meets their criteria for approving your credit card application.

Why should you apply for these instant credit cards? The answers are easy. Banks and credit card companies are always offering great incentives to get your business such as 0% APR on balance transfers or new purchases, and other types of reward programs. You can only find these special offers most of the time by surfing the internet. Needing credit quickly is another advantage of applying online for instant credit cards, because there is no wait time. You will not have to wait for 4 to 6 weeks after applying to learn if you were approved. The approval is instant. Some credit card companies that offer instant credit cards will also be able to give you special code that you can use immediately normally in the amount of $300 to $500 on the day that you are approved.

Applying online for instant credit cards can even be more secure than sending your information through regular mail. All financial websites have a way it which to code all of your information so the only people that will see the information are the ones that really need the information.

So, when you begin to think about applying for instant credit cards check out all the specials you can find online, you may be purchasing in no time.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at December 15th, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards Online — Are They Safe and

Instant Approval Credit Cards Online — Are They Safe and Secure?

Instant approval credit cards online offer a fast and easy way to apply for a new credit card. These credit cards can be a great option for anyone that needs to get their credit card to them quickly. With the ease of application provided by these cards, it also helps streamline the process for those that too busy to fill out a traditional credit card application form. Nonetheless, many people worry about whether or not instant approval credit cards are truly safe and secure.

Why Worry About Safety

When you apply for an instant approval credit card, you do need to be concerned about your safety. After all, you are transmitting a great deal of personal information from you to the credit card company through the Internet. If this information were to get into the wrong hands, your identity could be stolen. With this stolen identity, thieves can apply for credit cards in your name and run up thousands of dollars in debt. They could also commit crimes under your identity. Therefore, you have every right to be concerned about your safety when applying for an instant approval credit card online.

How to Protect Yourself

Of course, there are also risks associated with writing your personal information on a paper application and mailing it through the US mail. After all, all a thief needs to do is pluck that envelope out of your mailbox and he or she will have all of the information needed to walk away with your identity. In reality, instant approval credit card online applications are often safer and more secure than paper applications. This is because a number of measures are put into place to ensure your information is safe.

The first step you need to take to protect yourself when applying for an instant approval credit card online is to be sure the website is secure. You will be able to determine if the site is secure by looking for a picture of a closed padlock. This picture is generally located in the bottom right or left corner of your computer screen, depending on the web browser you use. If you see this symbol, you can rest assured the site is safe. You can also determine if a website is secure by looking at its address. If it starts with https:// rather than http:// (without the s), then it is secure.

A website that is secure has taken special measures to ensure the information placed on the site cannot be hacked into by a thief. It accomplishes this in part by scrambling the information as it is transmitted through the Internet.

To provide yourself with added security, you should also maintain a firewall on your computer. A firewall monitors information that comes in and goes out of your computer. Be sure to set up your firewall to block out information, such as your social security number and credit card numbers, in order to prevent it from being transmitted without your permission. Firewalls are important because cookies on your computer save information that you input into online forms. If this information is saved to your computer, it can be hacked into at any time you are on the Internet. If you set up blockers with your firewall, however, you will know any time that information is trying to be accessed and you can approve or deny its transmission.

Deciding When to Worry

Applying for instant approval credit cards online is safe and secure if you are dealing with a reputable credit card company. If you are unfamiliar with the credit card company, do some research to ensure it is legitimate. Even if you are familiar with the credit card company, never apply for an instant approval credit card online if the closed padlock symbol does not appear on your browser. Otherwise, you can feel perfectly safe and secure knowing that your information will be safely transmitted to only the credit card company.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at August 20th, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards Online

Instant approval credit cards are those that generally do not require special requirements to be met in order to receive membership to the card. Often, these cards can be applied for, and approved, entirely online. There are many advantages to instant approval credit cards that make them particularly attractive to many consumers.

An instant approval credit card online application is simple to complete. All of the necessary information required by the credit card company can simply and easily be placed into the online application form. Thanks to cookies, which saves information to your computer, much of the information can probably be added with the click of a button. Nothing could be simpler! With instant approval credit cards, there is no need to prove employment status and wait for it to be verified. There generally is no need to have a bank account. In addition, most instant approval credit cards do not even look at credit history in order to approve membership.

Many instant approval credit cards are secured credit cards. Secured credit cards are cards that the cardholder supplies money ahead of time to the card. These cards do not actually extend a line of credit to the cardholder. Instead, they allow the cardholder to access his or her own money with the ease of a credit card.

Secured instant approval credit cards provide a win-win situation for the cardholder as well as for the credit card company. The credit card company is happy because there is no concern about the cardholder borrowing money and failing to pay it back. Because the card is secured with the cardholder’s own money, there is no need to perform a credit check or enforce stringent approval requirements.

This is part of the reason credit cardholders enjoy applying for secured instant approval credit cards. There are no hassles and no worries about being denied approval because of poor credit. In addition, secured instant approval credit cards help the cardholder remain in control of his or her finances because he or she plans ahead of time how much money will be placed on the credit card. Paying toward the card ahead of time also ensures the cardholder will not build up a debt that is impossible to overcome.

There are also unsecured instant approval cards available to consumers. Some consumers are not interested in secured cards because there are many fees associated with these cards. Fees such as application fees, processing fees, annual fees, and monthly membership fees are commonly found with secured credit cards. In addition, there is generally a fee assessed each time the cardholder places more money on the card, which is referred to as “loading” the card. In addition, some people are not interested in secured credit cards because they are seeking a card that will provide a loan that they can pay back at a later date.

Unsecured instant approval credit cards are not as common as those that are secured, but they are available. These cards often do check an applicant’s credit history, but they are capable of completing this process quickly and efficiently, which allows them to still provide instant approval. Sometimes, these credit cards will only approve a small line of credit until they have had the opportunity to perform a more extensive credit check. After a few months of membership, instant approval credit cards following this practice will then extend an offer to the cardholder to increase the line of credit.

Instant approval credit cards are a convenient means for applicants to gain access to a wide array of credit cards, including business credit cards, cash back credit cards, and reward credit cards. Through the ease of online applications, the process could never be simpler!

Posted in Instant Credit Card at August 9th, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards Are They Credit Builders?

Many people today have heard about the “instant approval” credit cards, but may not understand exactly what they are. Instant approval is the method used by banks and credit card companies to take your application and instantly make a decision based on data they get from your online credit report. It is different from traditional credit card applications because you are either approved or rejected as soon as your application is submitted.

Instant approval is a method that is different from instant decision. When a bank makes an instant decision, this means that a certain period of time is given to the credit card company to decide if an applicant is approved. They will typically do a detailed background check, and it may take days or weeks for them to decide if applicants are approved. Many people may have also heard of the term “instant credit.”

Instant credit means that in addition to being approved immediately, you are also given a temporary credit card that allows you to make online purchases. Instant credit isn’t used much by the banks today due to the many fraudulent charges that were made after they begin offering it. Instant approval gives banks a reasonable amount of time to determine if an applicant is a good candidate.

Instant approval applications are just as secure as traditional applications that are sent through the mail. If you apply for instant approval credit cards online, make sure you go through banks and credit card companies that offer the highest level of internet data encryption. In most circumstances, using secure online instant approval services are much safer than sending applications through the mail. If your application is approved, you can expect to receive your card in about a week. The delivery time will vary depending on the company you use.

In most cases, instant approval means that the bank will give you a temporary approval based on your online credit information that will keep you occupied while they do more detailed research. The banks will do additional research to make sure your online data is accurate. While many people who apply for instant approval credit cards think they will immediately be issued a card, this is not always the case.

It is also important to make sure you have decent credit before applying for an instant approval credit card. Most decisions are made based on the FICO score, and if you are declined you credit score could be lowered even more.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at July 22nd, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards – Just How Fast Are They?

Instant Approval Credit Cards – Just How Fast Are They?

In a multi tasking, hurry-up society, the thought of getting something instantly is very appealing, but are instant approval credit cards really “instant?”

Actually, instant approval means just that, you may be instantly approved but it doesn’t mean that a card will instantly and magically appear in your hand, or that you can even use your newly approved credit line yet. The actual approval process will take from just a few seconds to a few minutes. One advantage of instant approval credit cards is knowing almost instantly whether you have been approved for credit. One exception in the instant approval process is if they need to further verify information that you have submitted and then the process will be delayed for just a few days. The primary advantage you will find is that an instant approval credit card is the fastest way of obtaining credit to date.

Simple and Convenient Application Process

Although some instant approval credit card offers are sent by mail for you to phone-in for approval, you may not have an offer when you are ready to apply. A simpler, quicker and more efficient way would be to utilize your computer to apply for an online instant approval credit card. You need to answer a few simple questions which include your name, where you live and work, what your income is, social security number and income. The application is simple and the processing is very quick . . . why some would even say almost “instant!”

Many instant approval credit cards allow free online account management, statements, payments, and a record of recent charges that haven’t been billed yet.

Credit Status

Your credit status may impact whether you are eligible for an instant approval credit card. You usually need a good or excellent rating in order to qualify for this type of card. Some banks are now broadening whom they will extend credit to, so go ahead and try if your credit is less than stellar you might just be pleasantly surprised.

Expedited Processing

You will still need to wait for processing and your physical card in the mail before you can start using your new instant approval credit card. However, the card should arrive by mail in just a few days. The expedited processing time compared to a traditional credit card is a matter of days for processing, compared to weeks with the slower traditional cards still available.

Annual and Hidden Fees

Don’t be too hasty to apply for your card without checking first. You will need to research the options for the various instant approval credit cards online to find the best card for your needs. Many cards will have annual or hidden fees that will impact the cost of your card, while others have no fees at all. It is very important to investigate any fees, possible rewards and interest rates.

Rewards and Benefit Options

Being in a hurry might cost you some very important rewards or other card options. Some instant credit cards will give you bonus airline miles as a reward, cash back options, and/or balance transfer privileges. It is a very competitive market in the banking world today, so don’t be in rush and lose out on options that might be an asset to your finances.

Conclusion

Online instant approval credit cards are the speediest and simplest form of credit approval to date. Although you get can get approved instantly, you must still wait for expedited processing and mailing of a physical credit card before you can use your new credit line. In such a hectic and hurry-up world, it is indeed wonderful to find a quick, easy process that will give you future convenience in managing your budget quickly and efficiently. It might not be entirely “instant” other than the approval process, but getting an instant approval credit card online is truly time saving.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at July 3rd, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards – How Instant Are They?

Instant approval credit cards appear to be offers that sound too good to be true, but many people are benefiting from them in their daily lives. Our tendency is to see things skeptically, which is a reflection of the society we are living in. But such apprehensions are misplaced at least in the case of instant approval credit cards, which are often times misunderstood.

It is called an instant approval credit card because, after submitting the application, the person concerned could get the response from the credit card company regarding the status of the application within a short duration irrespective of whether it is an acceptance or a rejection. If it is a rejection, then the battle, as it were, is over. If it is an acceptance, the customer could receive the credit card by mail in a few weeks time.

But keep in mind that all of these type of credit card approvals may not be that instant. It is highly dependent on the applicants credit history and credit rating. The following article will demonstrate the exact grounds on which the credit card approvals will be instant and situations in which it may be a pending approval.

Instant approval credit cards online generally happen within a matter of seconds if the applicant has the security of an excellent credit history. The credit card company may have some credit score benchmark requirements and if the applicants figures match their criteria, they immediately approve the request. Such cases are generally cleared in less than a couple of minutes.

On the other hand, if the credit card company feels the credit rating of an applicant is less than ideal or if the credit score falls short of the benchmark, they may seek some additional information and until they finish with their background check on your credit worthiness, they will keep the application under pending status. True, such a procedure cannot be called an instant approval. But it will not lag to the degree that a traditional credit card application can. Most applications should be approved or rejected in a couple of days time.

Once the credit card has been approved, the card will be mailed to the cardholder and the entire process should take only about two weeks. So, even if it is an instant approval credit card, the applicant still has to wait around 2 weeks to receive the credit card and start using it. But, as previously mentioned, the entire process is still quicker than the traditional application/approval process. So if you want to expedite the credit card application process, instant approal credit cards online are definitely worth considering.

Caution Look out for those instant approval credit card companies that charge a processing fee for the instant approval. Also it is advisable to compare the benefits and reward programs associated with the instant approval credit cards against a traditional credit card before applying for one. If there is no much advantage with an instant approval credit card offered by a credit card company, what is the point in applying for one?

Posted in Instant Credit Card at June 21st, 2010. No Comments.

Prepaid Credit Cards Disadvantages

For all the advantages that you are offered by using prepaid credit cards, there are some disadvantages you need to be aware of. In this article I will go over these, and this should help you make better decisions when using these cards.

When using prepaid credit cards online, it is important to be aware of where you are shopping. Some sites will scam you, and you may find yourself paying for products or services which you never receive. Shopping online with a prepaid credit card can put you at risk for these types of scams.

When you go out shopping, it is important to check the balance of your card to make sure you have enough to get what you’re buying. You don’t want to stand in a long line waiting to buy something just to get to the cashier and realize you don’t have enough money.

This will frustrate and humiliate you. One of the disadvantages to using prepaid credit cards is unlike cash, there is no way for you to look in your wallet to figure out how much you have to spend. It is important go online and check your balance and transactions.

Another disadvantage to using prepaid credit cardsis that many places and shops do not accept them. This is especially true when traveling to other countries, which may have cash based societies. Small restaurants and shops in foreign countries may only accept the local currency.

Because of this, it is important to carry around small amounts of cash at all times when traveling. Another problem with prepaid credit cards is the potential for abuse by merchants. Many people have complained that when they make a purchase at a restaurant or store, the merchant takes out more money than they’re supposed to.

This doesn’t happen with cash, because when you pay with cash merchants aren’t allowed to have access to your account. The best way to avoid this is to only shop at reputable locations, and check your balance immediately after making transactions. Sometimes mistakes do happen, and it is important for you to catch them as soon as possible.

The last issue that could be a problem when using a prepaid credit card is not being able to access your own money. Some people are frustrated to find that they are not able to withdraw their money from ATM machines when they need it the most. While this doesn’t happen often, it is another good reason to carry some cash at all times.

Posted in Prepaid Credit Card at June 20th, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards – Frequently Asked Questions

Instant approval credit cards online are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. In a fast-paced society, the speed of an instant approval credit card is sought after by many individuals. But, it is important to understand as much as you can about instant approval credit cards before you choose to apply for one.

What are Instant Approval Credit Cards?

Instant approval credit cards are those that can be approved within a matter of seconds. To qualify for one of these instant approval credit cards, online applications are completed on a secure website. Using the information gained from the application, the credit card company can determine instantly if you qualify for a credit card.

Am I Guaranteed to Get an Instant Approval Credit Card?

No. Instant approval credit cards are not secured credit cards. Therefore, they still need to look at your credit history in order to determine whether or not you qualify for a credit card. If you have a poor credit history, you may be turned down for an instant approval credit card. Whether or not you receive credit approval depends on the guidelines followed by the credit card company and your personal credit history.

Can I Still Be Approved, Even if it’s Not Instant?

Yes. Instant approval credit cards sometimes need more information than what can be gained instantly in order to decide if they will approve your application. In this case, they will send you a notification letting you know that your application is being reviewed further. In this case, you will generally still know whether or not you have been approved for the credit card within a week or two, which is still much faster than non-instant approval credit cards.

Can I Start Spending Immediately?

No. Although instant approval credit cards can tell you within seconds whether or not you have been approved for an instant approval credit card online, you will have to wait to physically receive the credit card before you can start using it. Usually, your instant approval credit card will arrive to you within a couple of weeks, which is still much faster than traditional credit card application that typically take six to eight weeks.

Are There Any Differences in the Way Instant Approval Credit Cards Look?

No. Instant approval credit cards look the same as any other credit card. No one but you will know it was an instant approval credit card.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Instant Approval Credit Cards?

Maybe. Some instant approval credit cards do assess a processing fee for the convenience of receiving instant approval. If this concerns you, shop around for an instant approval credit card that does not assess these fees. There are plenty of options available. Furthermore, you might want to reconsider applying for an instant approval credit card if you do not have a need to get the card right away. If you can wait to receive the card, it better to apply for a traditional credit card in order to avoid paying unnecessary fees.

Do Instant Approval Credit Cards Have the Same Benefits as Other Credit Cards?

Yes. No two credit cards, whether they are instant approval credit cards or traditional credit cards, are the same. Therefore, they do not always include benefits such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage. Nonetheless, there are plenty of instant approval credit cards available with desirable benefits such as those found on traditional credit cards.

Can I Participate in a Special Rewards Program with Instant Approval Credit Cards?

Yes. There are instant approval credit cards available that offer special cash back and rewards programs to cardholders. If you are interested in participating in one of these programs, browse through the many instant approval credit cards available in order to find one that best suits your lifestyle and needs.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at June 15th, 2010. No Comments.