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Sometimes I forget that not everything is instantly available. It’s a fairly classic modern “problem” for me to order something online, then complain about the two-day shipping, or move to a new cafe only to find the internet is down, or worse yet, never existed.
By that same logic, it’s almost surprising that not all credit cards immediately give you your card number. Why do I have to wait for my physical card when I know I’ve already been approved – couldn’t I just have the number and go get it?
It turns out that some rewards credit cards offer instant numbers. This means you won’t have to wait for your card to arrive to use it, which is great for emergencies and rush purchases. Moreover, if you want to start bring your expenses to the minimum required to win the card sign up bonus, this allows you to start immediately.
However, not all credit card issuers do this, so it’s important to know who does. Here are a few that do, and just as important, a few that don’t.
Read more: The best credit card signup bonuses available now
Credit card issuers that do not offer instant numbers
If you want to get your credit card number right away, do not apply for cards from the following issuers:
- Allying
- Barclaycard
- chase away
- Discover
- Wells fargo
These credit card issuers do not offer after-approval numbers and will not disclose card information until your physical card arrives in the mail.
Credit cards that offer instant numbers
However, there are a number of cards – and an issuer – that offer numbers upon approval. Many of them are associated with store accounts as well as airline and hotel rewards programs.
American Express Cards
American Express is probably your best bet for finding a card that offers an instant number. In fact, it doesn’t matter which American Express you look for; you can instantly receive your number after approval, no matter which card you just opened. You can get a link from Amex to your card number on request, and as soon as you apply and are approved, you can add your card number to your digital wallet and start using it.
At least one strong partnership should be mentioned. One of the main American partners is Delta, which offers a variety of co-branded cards with American Express. These include:
These cards are ideal for building a direct stock of Delta SkyMiles with daily purchases, and they just received substantial updates, in some cases by adding new bonus categories.
However, the standard Amex cards in the Amex Membership Rewards program can interface with even more airlines (Emirates, Etihad, Singapore) as well as with Hilton and Marriott. So if you are not sold on Delta and want more flexibility with your points redemptions, earn Loyalty points directly through Amex and later transferring in your desired points currency might be a better bet.
Here are some of the top cards that earn American Express Membership Rewards points:
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
Not only will you have the ability to earn and redeem Alaska MileagePlan miles with this card, it is also one of the only Bank of America cards that gives you your card number upon approval.
Right now, this card offers a nice 40,000 mile signup bonus and companion fare (for $ 99 plus taxes and fees starting at $ 22) after spending at least $ 2,000 on purchases within the 90’s. first few days after opening your account, which means having your account number right away could help you get started quickly meet this minimum spending requirement.
Read the Alaska Airlines Visa card review
Citi / AAdvantage cards and the AT&T Access card
Citi offers credit card numbers on approved with American Airlines and AT&T cards.
American Airlines AAdvantage, co-branded with Citi, covers the spectrum of card types, from basic personal accounts with no annual fee to premium business cards. You can currently earn between 10,000 and 70,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after qualifying purchases, depending on the card you select.
The main Citi / AAdvantage cards include:
- American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card℠
– No annual fee
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
– annual fee: $ 99, exempt for the first 12 months
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
– annual fee: $ 99, exempt for the first 12 months
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
– Annual fee of $ 450 (and membership to the Admirals Club airport lounge)
The Citi AT&T Access card also provides you with your card number upon approval. It is currently offering a sign up bonus of 10,000 Citi ThankYou points after making $ 1,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening your account.
Apple card
Since you are applying for the Apple Card straight to your iPhone, it’s no surprise if you receive your card number as soon as you are approved. In fact, your physical Apple Card won’t even include the card number; it lives exclusively in the Wallet app on your phone.
Read more: How the Apple card compares to the best rewards cards from Amex, Capital One and more
Final result
As you can see, many cards that offer instant number after approval are linked to airline rewards programs or stores / services. It’s logic; the faster the customer has access to a card number, the faster they can make targeted purchases to earn points and build loyalty. Fortunately for consumers, this attention and immediacy is an aspect of our credit-based economy that can benefit us as long as we use it responsibly.
With this in mind, we must approach the idea of instant lines of credit with caution and intelligence; never take offers you can’t reasonably afford in the long run and always use this handy auto-pay feature to make sure you stay on top of your bills.