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    The Best Credit Cards That Instantly Show Card Numbers Upon Approval [September 2023]

    We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

    If you’re applying for a new credit card, you will likely be eager to start putting your card to use right away. We’ve compiled a list of all major credit card issuers and their respective policies on issuing instant credit card numbers after approval.

    Chase (Use Their “Spend Instantly” Feature)

    Chase offers a “Spend Instantly” feature as part of its Chase Mobile app.

    Once you’re approved for a new card, you can immediately add that card via your app to one of 3 digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

    Here is how it works:

    Step 1: Log in to your account

    Step 2: Select your new card, then scroll down to Account Services and click Digital Wallets.

    Step 3: From there, you can select which digital wallet you want to instantly link your card to.

    Step 4: You’re all set! Now you can start using your card before it even arrives in the mail.

    Currently, most Chase credit cards are eligible for the Spend Instantly feature, with the exception of business cards, Amazon cards, Disney cards, and other merchant cards like DoorDash and Instacart. Two of our favorite Chase cards are the no annual fee Chase Freedom Unlimited® card and Chase Freedom Flex℠.

    TOP PICK
    Chase Freedom Unlimited®

    Chase Freedom Unlimited®

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

    This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

    Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

    Chase Freedom Unlimited®

    This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
    Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back.
    Additional 1.5% cash-back
    $0
    Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

    When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

    Don’t forget too, there’s 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.

    Pros

    • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
    • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
    • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
    • 1.5% back on all other purchases
    • No annual fee
    • Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
    • Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
    • Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
    • Ability to pool points

    Cons

    • 3% foreign transaction fee
    • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
    • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
    • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
    • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
    • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
    • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
    • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
    • Member FDIC

    Financial Snapshot

    • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    Chase Ultimate Rewards

    American Express (Shows Card Numbers)

    An instant card number upon approval of a new account is available on all American Express credit cards.

    However, some people report that for co-branded cards, the card number issued instantly is only for use at the co-brand location. For example, a Hilton card may only be used with Hilton, or the Delta card only for use with Delta.

    After your card number is given to you, remember to write it down and/or take a screenshot. You can request the number again from Amex, but it’s far quicker to take a note of the card number as you’re approved for the card.

    Keep in mind that the card number you receive will likely be the same as the one on your physical card, but your temporary security code likely will not be the same.

    Recommended Amex Card

    Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

    Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

    This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

    Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

    Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

    This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
    Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
    $200
    $0
    0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-29.99% Variable
    Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express apart from the rest?

    This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

    Pros

    • 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
    • 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
    • 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
    • Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
    • Monthly credit towards Home Chef

    Cons

    • Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
    • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
    • No Annual Fee.
    • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
    • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
    • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
    • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
    • Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Everyday Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
    • Terms Apply.

    Financial Snapshot

    • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-29.99% Variable
    • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars

    Card Categories

    Tip: If you don’t see your card number as soon as you’re approved, you can request the card number from Amex by getting in contact with them. In addition, many users have reported being given a statement credit if their software fails and is unable to issue the card number.

    Bank of America

    Most Bank of America credit cards do not offer instant card numbers, but one of their co-branded credit cards — the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, is well-known for instantly issuing your card number on approval.

    This is actually a travel rewards credit card that earns miles with Alaska Airlines.

    Other cards issued by Bank of America have been reported to issue their card numbers instantly, but they are a bit more sporadic and less reliable.

    Barclays

    • Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® — instant credit toward purchases made through the Frontier website
    • Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® — instant credit toward travel purchases made through the Hawaiian Airlines website
    • The JetBlue Card — instant credit toward purchases through the JetBlue website

    Goldman Sachs

    The Apple credit card will allow cardholders to use the card instantly upon approval via the Wallet app on your iPhone.

    Synchrony

    The only cards offered by Synchrony that gives instant access to your card number are:

    • PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
    • eBay Mastercard®

    USAA

    USAA will give you an instant card number to use, along with the expiration date and 3-digit code. This has a maximum credit limit of $1,000, which is increased to your approved credit limit when the physical card arrives.

    Final Thoughts

    The most rewarding cards that offer instant card numbers upon approval are from American Express.

    For immediate access to your credit line, generous rewards, and your credit card number, get started by picking the card that best meets your needs such as Blue Cash Preferred, Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited.

    The information regarding the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® and eBay Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

    The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
    The information regarding the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
    The information regarding the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
    The information regarding The JetBlue Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
    The information regarding the Apple Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
    The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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

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