8 ways to maximize your chances of being approved for a credit card
Editor's Note
When you apply for a great travel rewards card, the last thing you want is to be turned down. The sign-up bonus, the benefits and the points earned are luring you in, so you’ll want to do everything possible to be approved.
Read on to find out how to increase your chances of approval so you can secure a new credit card in your wallet.
Check your credit history and score
In considering your credit card application, the most important factors for the issuer are your credit history and credit score. Most major issuers offer customers free access to their credit score. For example, Capital One offers its CreditWise program to anyone. These services will also give you feedback about the factors affecting your score.
If your credit score is not where you think it should be, request a copy of your credit history from the three major consumer credit bureaus to find out the details. To obtain your copy, go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the only source for free credit reports authorized by federal law.
With this service, you can request one free copy of your credit report every week from each credit-reporting company.
Related: How to check your credit score for free
Only apply for cards matching your credit profile
Travel rewards cards are typically only offered to those with excellent (740+) or good (670-739) credit scores. In general, the more features and benefits offered, the higher the credit score requirements will be, so don’t expect to be approved for a premium card like The Platinum Card® from American Express with a low credit score.
Related: The 6 best starter cards for building your credit
Reduce your outstanding debt
I was outraged the first time I saw a copy of my credit report. It showed that I had outstanding debt on all of my credit cards, even though I was consistently paying off my statement balances in full and on time.
Later, I learned why my credit reports all showed me in debt: Every time a credit card’s monthly statement cycle closes, it generates a statement and reports that statement balance to the three major consumer credit bureaus. At that moment, the card issuers have no way of knowing if you’ll eventually avoid interest charges by paying your statement balance in full. Technically, my statement balances all constituted outstanding debt, even though I was confident that the interest charges would be waived when I paid each statement balance in full before its due date.
Related: The best way to pay your credit card bills
Even if your statement balances aren’t high, they still count as debt and can make a card issuer hesitant to approve you for a new line of credit. The bank is less concerned that it will offer you yet another sign-up bonus than it is worried about over-extending credit to you and risking default.
Once you understand the bank’s concerns and how your statement balances are reported as outstanding debt, it’s easy to take steps to minimize what’s reported. The first step is to pay off your largest outstanding balances before the end of the statement periods for your credit cards. Otherwise, paying a balance just after your statement closes won’t reduce the balance that’s reported to the credit bureaus that month.
If you pay before the end of the statement periods on your credit cards, you won’t appear to have any outstanding debt. In addition, you’ll probably experience a small bump in your credit score as your debt-to-credit ratio plummets. I try to do this in anticipation of applying for a new credit card, and it’s a vital strategy when you’re applying for a mortgage or home loan.
Lower your credit utilization ratio
In addition to lowering your debt, you’ll also want to maintain a high credit amount. These two numbers make up your credit utilization ratio, which can be calculated by dividing your total credit card balances by your total available credit.
Even though you want to pay off your credit card balances in full before your statement closes for the month, it is equally as important that your denominator number stays high, giving you a lower utilization ratio. This can ultimately make up about 30% of your FICO score, which makes it a pretty important factor in determining your credit score. While applying for a credit card can sometimes hurt your credit score slightly in the short term, in the long term, it’s actually giving you more credit, thus potentially helping your credit utilization ratio.
Another thing to consider is that when you cancel a credit card, you are giving back some of your credit. This could hurt your ratio, so instead, you’ll want to consider downgrading to a no-annual-fee card or shifting that credit over to another credit card within the same bank network.
Related: Credit utilization ratio: What is it and how it affects your credit score
Pay off outstanding balances to the same issuer
You can also increase your chances of approval by reducing or eliminating any current balances with other cards you have from the same card issuer. The bank can always see this kind of outstanding “debt” in real time.
For example, if you were looking to be approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you might want to pay off any existing balances with other Chase cards before applying. In this case, the statement doesn’t need to close before applying; the bank will always know your current balance.
Be mindful of application restrictions
Some card issuers limit you to a maximum number of accounts where you’re the primary cardholder. Others will limit the number of applications you can make in a certain period, such as Chase’s (theoretical) limit of one personal and one business card application every 90 days.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Include all income sources
One common mistake people make when applying for a credit card is understating their income by not including all qualifying sources.
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act allows you to include all household income you have a reasonable expectation of access to. The primary reason for this rule is to ensure that non-working spouses and domestic partners have equal access to credit.
In addition, be sure to include other eligible sources of income such as alimony, child support, disability benefits, investment income and disbursement of retirement savings.
Call for reconsideration
If your application has been initially denied, don’t give up. You can contact the bank’s reconsideration line and ask a representative to manually consider your application. Before calling, try to pay down your existing balances, especially with any accounts you have from the same bank you applied to.
Related: 6 lessons I learned from my rejected credit card applications
In some cases, I’ve called to plead my case, and the representative has immediately approved my application with no questions asked. Other times, you might have to explain why you want to be approved. For example, you might want to mention the features and benefits of the card you’re interested in and avoid specifically mentioning the sign-up bonus. And if you didn’t initially include all your sources of income, ask to have your application updated.
If that doesn’t work, suggest reallocating a part of your existing line of credit with that bank. Remember, the bank’s priority is to limit its exposure in case you can’t pay back your charges. By volunteering to shift your line of credit, you’re making it possible for an issuer to offer you a new account without increasing its risk. Finally, you can suggest closing an unused existing account if it will result in approval for the new account.
Bottom line
While it’s never guaranteed that you’ll be approved for a credit card when submitting an application, keeping these tips in mind will only help your success rate. Credit cards can offer many benefits and rewards, so maximizing your chances will hopefully open up new credit card opportunities.
Read more: 3 ways a new credit card could increase your credit score
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.