Best instant access credit cards of September 2024 (2024)

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visitamericanexpress.comto learn more.

If you need fast access to a new credit card to finance an emergency expense or other large purchase, you can't wait 10 business days for it to arrive in the mail. Thankfully, some cards give you instant access, which allows you to complete purchases immediately after approval.

Below, CNBC Select lists credit cards that offer instant access or the option to pay with the card before you receive the physical card in the mail, including some alternative options to consider if your credit score needs work.

Nearly all American Express cards offer the ability to receive an instant card number once your identity is validated. If you're approved for a card and are eligible for instant access, you'll receive your card number, temporary four-digit card identification number and expiration date that allows you to use the card anywhere American Express is accepted.

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card is an excellent option for earning travel rewards on dining and grocery expenses. It also has several useful benefits that largely offset its annual fee (see rates and fees). You'll receive up to $120 in Uber Cash every year ($10 per month), which can be used for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States. You can also earn up to $120 in dining credit each year (up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with your card) at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Anyone who wants to earn cash back, and lots of it, will love the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It earns bonus cash back on a range of categories covering popular expenses, including U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets. Cashbackis received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. You're also able to earn up to $84 in Disney Bundle credit every year ($7 per month after making qualifying purchases of at least $9.99). Enrollment required.

Here are a few other Amex cards that offer the ability for an instant card number:

• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
• American Express Cash Magnet® Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Terms apply.

You can use certain Chase credit cards before you receive the physical card by linking it to a mobile wallet. As long as the vendor accepts mobile wallet payments from services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay, you should be able to use your Chase card immediately after approval. The option to immediately link your card to a digital wallet isn't available for Mastercards, business credit cards or Amazon cards (though these cards can be used instantly for Amazon purchases).

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a top beginner travel credit card and has benefits seasoned travelers can enjoy. It earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can easily be redeemed for cash back, gift cards and travel. With this card, you can also transfer Chase points to any Ultimate Rewards travel partner, including World of Hyatt, Emirates Skywards, United MileagePlus and Southwest Rapid Rewards. The Sapphire Preferred is also generous with its travel and purchase coverages, including built-in protections such as trip delay reimbursem*nt, primary rental car insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Anyone interested in earning cash-back rewards and not paying an annual fee will appreciate the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. It earns a minimum of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus bonus cash back at drug stores, restaurants and on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM. With a new Freedom Unlimited account, you can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After the intro APR expires, a 20.49% to 29.24% variable APR applies. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum) for the first 60 days, then the standard balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each transfer applies ($5 minimum).

Here are a few other Chase cards that offer the ability to spend with a digital wallet before you receive your physical card:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Freedom Rise℠
• Chase Slate Edge℠
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• United℠ Explorer Card

Capital One may offer you instant access upon approval. You may need to log in to your Capital One account to access your card number.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you'll earn at least 2X miles on every purchase. This is a great reward rate, especially when you consider how useful Capital One miles are. You can use these miles to erase travel purchases at a rate of one cent per mile. You can also transfer the miles you earn with your Capital One Venture card to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as Avianca LifeMiles, Wyndham Rewards and Air Canada Aeroplan. The card also has a range of other perks such as Hertz Five Star status (enrollment required), an up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years and no foreign transaction fees.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Few cards can match the combination of cash-back rewards you can earn with the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for purchases like dining, entertainment, streaming services and grocery stores.

Here are a few other Capital One cards that can offer instant access:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus

U.S. Bank offers instant access to its credit cards. However, reports suggest that it may not be available to all applicants. You'll need to be instantly approved and have your identity verified to qualify to instantly access your new U.S. Bank credit card.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is an excellent no-annual-fee dining credit card. It also offers a streaming credit, no foreign transaction fees and a generous 0% intro APR offer. As a new U.S. Bank Altitude Go card member, you'll get an intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, then a variable 18.24% to 29.24% APR applies. A balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer with a $5 minimum applies.

U.S. BankAltitude®Reserve VisaInfinite®Card

The U.S. BankAltitude®Reserve VisaInfinite®Card is a premium credit card with easy-to-use perks that help justify its annual fee. Every year, you'll get up to $325 in credit for travel and dining purchases, and you'll earn this credit automatically every time you make an eligible purchase. You can also enroll for a Priority Pass airport lounge membership that grants you eight free visits per year. Every four years, you can get up to $100 in application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. It also has no foreign transaction fees and protections such as lost luggage reimbursem*nt, travel accident protection and roadside dispatch.

Here are a few other U.S. Bank cards that offer instant access:

• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
• U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
• U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

If your Citi card application is instantly approved, you may have immediate access to your card information. However, reports suggest that instant access isn't available on all Citi credit cards. It's also likely that you won't have access to your full credit line instantly.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash Card is a cash-back card with powerful bonus categories that adjust to your spending patterns. You'll get 5% cash back on the eligible category where you spend the most each month (up to $500 per billing cycle). The Citi Custom Cash Card has no annual fee and with a new account, you get an intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, after that a 19.24% to 29.24% variable APR applies. There is a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each transfer with a $5 minimum.

Citi Rewards+® Card

The Citi Rewards+ Card pairs well with other Citi credit cards as it gives you a 10% rebate on point redemptions (on the first 100,000 points redeemed each year). This benefit applies when you transfer points to travel partners, which makes the Citi Rewards+ a great partner for the Citi Strata Premier^SMCard because the Strata Premier unlocks access to all of Citi's travel partners (see rates and fees). When you open a new account, you'll also get an intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable 18.74% to 28.74% APR applies. A balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum) also applies.

Here are a few other Citi cards that offer instant access:

• Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees)
• Citi Simplicity® Card (see rates and fees)
• Citi Strata Premier^SMCard (see rates and fees)

If you open a co-branded credit card or store credit card at checkout (online or in-store) you can usually begin using your card right away. You'll typically receive a temporary card number or barcode on your receipt that allows you to use the card at the retailer.

Store cards can only be used at the retailer, but co-branded cards generally can be used anywhere the card is accepted. However, a temporary co-branded store card might only be accepted at that store, which is what reports suggest with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and Prime Visa. If you applied in-store, you may have to wait to use the card elsewhere until it arrives in the mail.

Prime Visa

The Prime Visa is available to Amazon Prime members and offers 5% cash back at Amazon, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods. These high cash-back rates make it a top card for Amazon spending and are in addition to bonus cash back at gas stations, restaurants and local transit. It also provides a variety of built-in protections, including purchase protection, extended warranty protection, travel accident insurance and rental car collision coverage. You can access your Prime Visa through your Amazon account and use it for Amazon purchases instantly, but need to wait to receive the card to use it at other retailers.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

You will find the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi useful if you're a Costco member and want to save on gas (and EV charging) costs. You need a Costco membership to qualify for this card, but there is no additional annual fee on top of the membership cost. It also earns bonus cash back on restaurants, eligible travel, gas and EV charging stations and Costco (and Costco.com) purchases.

Here are a few other popular co-branded and store cards that may offer instant access:

• Apple Card
• Target RedCard™
• Bloomingdale's Credit Card
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Prime Store Card
• Amazon Store Card

If you're working to rebuild your credit or don't have any credit history, you may need to open a credit card that's easier to get. These cards usually offer fewer rewards but can help you build credit if you consistently pay your bill on time and in full.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card is a secured credit card, which means you'll need to make an upfront refundable deposit ($300 minimum) that your credit limit is based on. However, because you're making a deposit, it's easier to get approved for. This card also earns cash-back rewards, which is less common for this type of credit card. Once approved, you may be able to use your card before it arrives. However, some reports online suggest that you may have to wait a few days before being able to access your card.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn't offer rewards or a welcome bonus. However, it is an unsecured credit card, which means there is no upfront deposit required and it's available if you have fair or higher. This makes it a strong credit card for building credit. It also has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. Capital One sometimes offers instant access to your card number through the app, but not always.

As you'll notice from the cards mentioned above, instant card numbers primarily come from issuers such as Capital One, American Express and co-branded or store cards. That leaves out many major card issuers, such as Discover, so you'll have to wait roughly 10 business days to receive those cards in the mail before being able to use them.

However, you may be able to get your new card sooner if you're approved for a premium card. Many issuers provide expedited shipping for high-end cards or upon request for any card.

Keep in mind, if you request faster shipment, you may have to pay a fee. Before submitting your request, consider whether you really need the card ASAP and whether the fee is worthwhile. If not, you can simply wait for it to arrive in the mail.

Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!

Money matters —so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.Sign up here.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage ofcredit cards,bankingandmoney, and follow us onTikTok,Facebook,InstagramandTwitterto stay up to date.

Read more

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.

Information about the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Apple Card, Bloomingdale's Credit Card,Target RedCard™, Prime Visa, Amazon Visa, Amazon Prime Store Card and Amazon Store Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. If you purchase something through the Amazon credit card links, we may earn a commission.