FAQs

Credit cards are much easier to use to pay for things than carrying cash. If you like shopping on the Internet, credit cards are the only way to go. It can also be very rewarding when used responsibly, but applying for one can be tricky. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

• Applying for a credit card
  • How do I apply for a credit card from this site?
  • Is it safe to apply for a credit card online?
  • What information will I need to provide for a credit card application?
  • When will I know if I've been approved for a credit card?
  • Can I apply for more than one credit card at a time?
  • Do I need to have an account with a bank to apply for one of the credit cards that they're offering?
  • I want more information about a particular credit card. Can you help?
• Choosing a credit card at CreditCardXPO.com
  • There are so many credit cards offered on your site! How can I know that I'm applying for the right one?
  • I've never used credit before. Will I qualify for any credit cards?
  • I had some problems with debt, and now I've got a bad credit score. Is there any credit card company that will give me a card?

 

Applying for a credit card

Q. How do I apply for a credit card from this site?

A: Browse the site and look for the credit card that best suits your current needs.

Once you've made your selection, click on the "Apply Now" button that's located directly beneath the image of that credit card. You'll be redirected to a Web page from the bank that's offering the credit card; simply follow their instructions to complete your application. If nothing happens after clicking on the "Apply Now" button, please make sure that your popup blocker feature is turned off.

Q. Is it safe to apply for a credit card online?

A: Absolutely-it's safe, fast and easy when you go through CreditCardXPO.com. The application pages that we link to use SSL Technology, which protects your personal information through sophisticated data encryption technology.

You can check to see that you're on a secure page by looking for ":https" and a small image of a lock in the Web page address bar.

Q: What information will I need to provide for a credit card application?

A: The required information may vary depending on what credit card you're applying for. Generally, you should be ready to supply:

• Your name
• Your current address (and your previous address, if you've lived in your current location for less than a year)
• Your phone number
• Your date of birth
• Your social security number
• Your annual income
• Your employment history (In addition to your employer's name, you will be asked to report how long you've worked with the company. If it's been only a short time, you may also be asked to provide information on previous employment as well. Be prepared to provide an address for your employer as well as a contact name and/or phone number that can be used to verify your employment.)
• Banking information (Some credit card companies may want you to include the account numbers from any checking and/or savings accounts that you have.)

If you're applying for a card with a spouse or another co-signer, you may also need to supply similar information for them as well.

Q: When will I know if I've been approved for a credit card?

A: Each bank that issues credit cards has its own rules, so it's hard to predict exactly when you'll hear. It can take only a few hours, or it may take a few weeks. Generally, the better your credit, the sooner you'll hear. You may receive notification via email, through regular mail or both ways.

If a short approval time is important to you, you may want to apply for one of the Instant Response Credit Cards that we have listed on our site.

Q: Can I apply for more than one credit card at a time?

A: You can-but we wouldn't advise applying for more than one or two at a time. Multiple applications for credit within a short time period can hurt your credit score. That, in turn, makes it more difficult for you to get credit and/or it can raise the interest rate you'll have to pay on your credit cards.

Q: Do I need to have an account with a bank to apply for one of the credit cards that they're offering?

A: No. You can apply for a credit card with any bank, whether you already have an account with them or not.

Q. I want more information about a particular credit card. Can you help?

A: CreditCardXPO.com is not a credit card issuer and does not collect any fees or process any personal information. So if you want more information about a particular card, want to cancel a credit card you've applied for, make a payment on a credit card or need some type of assistance with your account, the best thing to do is to contact directly the bank that issues that credit card.

Here's a list of customer service contact information for the various banks.

 

Choosing a credit card at CreditCardXPO.com

Q. There are so many credit cards offered on your site! How can I know that I'm applying for the right one?

A: First, consider what you're looking for in a credit card. Do you want a basic card to use for emergencies only? Are you looking to earn cash back on your purchases or reward points good towards merchandise or services? Do you want a balance transfer card that will help you pay down your credit card debt at a lower interest rate? Use the card categories on the CreditCardXPO.com site to help guide you.

Next, be honest with yourself about your credit. If you have good to excellent credit, great! You can probably pick and choose which cards to apply for. If your credit's not as good, look for cards designed for people with fair credit, or even at the bad credit credit card sections.

Just starting out? If you're in college and never had a credit card before, consider the student credit cards.

If your main concern is keeping your payments low, check out the low interest credit cards.

Once you've narrowed your choice to a few cards, compare fees and other charges (application fees, annual fees) as well as interest rates offered. You may prefer a card without any fees, but you might also find that the rewards that you get with a particular card are worth an annual payment.

Q. I've never used credit before. Will I qualify for any credit cards?

A: Banks understand that everyone has to start somewhere, so they've designed credit cards for people with no credit/limited credit. You may be surprised at the choices that you have-and the benefits (like roadside assistance or cash back on purchases) that some of these cards provide.

Q. I had some problems with debt, and now I've got a bad credit score. Is there any credit card company that will give me a card?

A: While we can't say for sure if a bank will approve your credit card application, we can tell you that there are bad credit credit cards specifically designed to help people like you enjoy the convenience of using a credit card. You may have to pay an annual fee, or open some type of banking account to secure the card.

Cards by Category