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Once
the decision has been made to obtain a credit card, applying
for it is the next logical step. Not only can you apply for
a card through the mail or over the phone, most credit card
companies now offer their application services online.
Either way, the basic information that you will need is the
same.
Applying Online
First things first, find the right card for you. Not all
cards offer the same interest rates and incentives so pick
the one with terms and conditions that match your needs.
Then simply go to that issuer's web site and click on the
"Apply" link. The application appears and you're ready to
get started.
Besides asking for routine personal identifiers such as your
driver's license number, social security number, date of
birth, and current address, you will probably have to supply
details regarding your employment, salary, banking
relationships and other credit obligations.
Once the application is complete, the approval time can
vary. Some card companies will offer you instant approval
while others may take a week or two. The rate at which you
are approved is generally based on your credit history. Once
you have been approved, they will notify you by e-mail,
mail, or phone.
Applying online is not only safe and secure, but pretty
quick too. No waiting for the mail to travel back and forth
between the two of you. All necessary correspondence can be
done by e-mail.
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Credit Card Information
»Credit Card
Information
»Types
of Credit Cards I
»Types
of Credit Cards II
»Various
Features
»APR
Explained
»Choosing
a Credit Card
»Credit History
»What
is a Credit Report
»Credit
Card Numbers
»Expiration
Date
»Application
Process
What to do When...
»Your
Credit Card is Stolen
»Your
Application was rejected
»You
Have no Credit History
»You have Credit
Card Debt
»You have to pay your bill
Business Owners Section
»How
Credit Cards are Processed
»Accepting
payments online
»Accepting
payments offline
»Protecting
Your Business From Fraud |
Applying By Mail or In
Person
Since we do get most of our offers for credit cards through
the mail, this gives you the opportunity to sit with many
different offers on paper right in front of you. Now you can
take the time to read each offer in depth in order to decide
what card fits your needs without using the computer at all.
All of the card offers will come with an application
attached to it and, again, all you need to do is fill it out
and return it. The paper applications will ask for the same
details that the online ones do, so have your info handy.
The approval process when applying by mail can take a little
longer since the traditional mail service is not as quick as
the web. You should still be able to have an answer in as
little as two weeks or so.
Another option is to go to your local bank branch and apply
for a card in person. This is virtually the same application
process again, only you are dealing with a bank platform
employee. The wait time for approval may be a bit quicker
since the bank can easily check your credit history and
knows your financial status.
Any of the application processes will work. Just be cautious
when choosing a card and don't apply for too many at once.
Each credit check by the different card companies will show
up on your credit report and too many hits are perceived as
a negative.♦
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