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Getting a Discover Card with a low credit score can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. Discover Cards typically require a good credit score, but the exact score needed can vary.
Discover Cards often require a credit score of 660 or higher to be approved, but some people with lower scores have been approved.
If you have a low credit score, you may want to consider applying for a secured credit card first to help build your credit.
Secured credit cards can help you establish a credit history and improve your credit score over time.
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Approval Process
Getting approved for a Discover card can be a straightforward process, but it may take some time. You might get instant approval online, but the issuer may review your credit report or other data, which can take several days or weeks.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau requires credit card issuers to provide notice of approval or denial within 30 days of receiving a completed application.
If you're unsure about meeting the instant approval requirements, the issuer may individually review your application, which could take longer.
You can check the status of your Discover credit card application online or by calling 1-800-347-3085.
For those building credit from scratch or rebuilding a damaged credit history, a secured credit card like the Discover it Secured Credit Card may be a good option, requiring a cash deposit equal to the credit limit.
Your Discover card approval odds depend mostly on your credit, income, and existing debt obligations, with good credit or better required for most cards.
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Pre-Approval
Pre-approval is a great way to determine whether you'll get a Discover card without affecting your credit score. It's a soft pull on your credit, which means it won't show up in your credit reports.
You can get pre-approved for Discover cards by checking online using their free tool or receiving a pre-approved offer in the mail. There's a good chance you'll be pre-approved for at least one card, as Discover has options for people of all credit levels.
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However, it's essential to remember that pre-approval is not a guarantee of approval. The credit issuer will still perform a hard pull on your credit later, which could result in a decline if your data doesn't meet the card's requirements.
Here are the main advantages of pre-approval:
- It doesn't negatively affect your credit score.
- In most cases, it's easy to check whether you can be approved online.
- You can pre-qualify for any number of credit cards before you choose which one to get.
- The pre-approval process allows you to weed out cards that are not suitable for you and compare your options.
Pre-Approval Advantages
Pre-approval is a great way to check if you'll be approved for a credit card without affecting your credit score. It's a soft pull on your credit, so it won't show up in your credit reports.
The main advantages of pre-approval include:
- It doesn’t negatively affect your credit score.
- In most cases, it’s easy to check whether you can be approved online.
- You can pre-qualify for any number of credit cards before you choose which one to get.
- The pre-approval process allows you to weed out cards that are not suitable for you and compare your options.
Getting pre-approved is a fairly easy process, and it can help reduce the stress of actually getting approved for a card. By checking your pre-approval status, you and the issuer already have an idea of whether you're a match for the card.
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Insufficient Income
You'll need to make sure your income is sufficient to get pre-approved for a credit card. Most credit card companies require you to input your estimated gross income when applying to ensure you can meet repayments.
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If your projected income is too low, the card may be denied as a result. This is because credit card companies want to minimize their risk of lending to someone who might struggle to pay back the debt.
To avoid this, it's essential to be honest about your income and not exaggerate your earnings. This will help you get a more accurate pre-approval decision and avoid any potential issues down the line.
Application and Approval
You can apply for a Discover credit card online and potentially get instant approval, though the issuer may take several days or weeks to confirm. This is because they're reviewing your credit report or other data to determine your creditworthiness.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that federal regulations mandate notice of approval or denial of credit within 30 days after receiving a completed application. This means you'll know whether you've been approved or denied within a month.
If you're trying to build credit history for the first time or rebuild a damaged credit history, a secured credit card may be a good option. A secured credit card requires a cash deposit, which is usually equal to the credit limit for the credit card account.
You can check the status of your Discover credit card application online or call 1-800-347-3085.
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Approval Time
You can get instant approval for a credit card, but it may take several days or weeks for the credit card issuer to send confirmation. This is because they're reviewing your credit report or other data to determine your creditworthiness.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau requires notice of approval or denial within 30 days after receiving a completed application.
Individual review can take longer, as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act allows for it when analyzing your actual circumstances instead of using statistical measures.
Discover applicants can check the status of their application online or call 1-800-347-3085.
A unique perspective: Discover Card Application Process
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It can take up to 30 days to receive approval or denial from a credit issuer, depending on the need for additional information.
If you're approved, you can expect to receive your credit card within 7-10 business days.
Here are some key factors that can affect approval time:
Review of your credit historyShipping timelines
Minimum Score Needed
You can get a Discover card with a lower credit score, but it depends on the type of card you're applying for. The Discover it Secured Credit Card is available to people with bad credit, with no minimum credit score required.
Applicants with bad credit, typically below 640, are eligible for the Discover it Secured Credit Card. This card is a great option for those who need to rebuild their credit.
A good credit score is required for most Discover cards, with a minimum score of 700+ recommended. This includes cards like the Discover it Cash Back, Discover it Miles, and Discover it Chrome.
For another approach, see: Easy Credit Cards to Get for Bad Credit
Here's a quick rundown of the minimum scores needed for each Discover card:
It's worth noting that even with a good credit score, there's no guarantee of approval. Discover will consider other factors, such as income and debt, when making a decision.
Application Rules
You can only have up to two Discover credit cards opened, though some sources claim this number is closer to five. Students can only have a single card.
Discover also limits people to applying for just one card per year. So long as these rules are followed, the answer to a Discover card hard to get should be no.
To apply for a Discover credit card, you'll need to fill out an application and submit it for approval to a credit card issuer. An application will ask for personal information, like your income, Social Security number, and address.
You can expect to receive your credit card within a couple of weeks after approval, but a few factors can affect how long it takes to get your card. This process can include a review of your credit history and shipping timelines.
Here are the application rules for Discover credit cards in a nutshell:
- Only two Discover credit cards can be opened
- Students can only have one Discover card
- Only one Discover card can be applied for per year
Partner Picks
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If you're looking for a reliable credit card, consider the partner picks from Discover, a trusted financial institution.
Discover offers a variety of credit cards, including the Discover it Miles, which rewards cardholders with miles on their purchases.
The Discover it Chrome is another popular option, offering cash back rewards on gas and other purchases.
For those looking to build credit, the Discover it Secured Credit Card is a great choice, as it reports to the three major credit bureaus.
Here are some of the popular credit cards from Discover:
- Discover it Miles
- Discover it Chrome
- Discover it Cash Back
- Discover it Secured Credit Card
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest card to get approved?
The OpenSky Plus Secured Visa Credit Card is likely the easiest card to get approved, as it requires no credit check and no bank account. This makes it a great option for those with poor or no credit history.
Sources
- https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/card-smarts/how-long-to-get-credit-card/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/credit-score-needed-for-discover-card-1000338-2140658738/
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/issuers/how-to-get-pre-approved-for-discover-cards/
- https://rates.fm/cards/discover-credit-card-pre-approval/
- https://www.credello.com/credit-cards/is-it-hard-to-get-discover-cards/
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