subject: How to apply for instant decision credit cards [print this page] How to apply for instant decision credit cards
The mystique of instant decision credit cards is ancient and mysterious.
Clearly they are useful for several reasons.
First, they speed up the process of avoiding high interest if you're looking for a credit card with a 0% purchases or 0% balance transfer special offer.
Second, they make it less likely that your application will be completed, since there aren't any subsequent forms to complete.
Finally, instant decision cards can help the comparison process: you only have to compare the market once rather than multiple times since, if you're rejected, you can apply for a credit card that is less hard to get accepted for.
How should you make applications for instant decision credit cards in order to make it most likely that you'll be accepted?
There are three basic requirements when you apply for this type of financial product.
The first is that when you make a credit card comparison of the different products you carefully read the section which applies to who can apply for the card.
Each lender has slightly different criteria for those who can apply these often include but are not limited to the length of time you've lived at one address, whether or not you're on the electoral roll, your current and previous credit commitments and how many lines of credit you currently have available to you.
Other factors such as annual salary are sometimes also listed.
You need to make sure that you meet these criteria exactly to apply.
Don't be tempted to apply without one of these criteria met as your application will be rejected.
Even with these met, your application may not be successful which brings us to the second point in this guide to credit cards that have an instant decision application.
Second, you need to make sure that you have a credit history which is appropriate for the product that you're applying for.
If you have a poor credit history, for example, you're unlikely to be able to apply for the sort of borrowing plastic otherwise known as cards of credit or credit cards that have a lot of rewards or very long special offers.
Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule but you need to make sure you know whether you're applying for one before you press that sign up button.
Third, and finally, make sure that you have all your information before you start sign up.
Online applications can time out if you take too long and then you'll have to start all over again, wasting valuable time when you could be doing other things.
