Where to Get a Credit Card — Banks, Credit Unions, Online Lenders, and Retailers

You can get a credit card from a bank, credit union, online lender, or retailer — each route has different approval standards and card features

A credit card is a borrowing tool issued by a financial institution that lets you spend money now and pay it back later. Where you get one depends on what you're looking for: a card with rewards, low interest rates, no annual fee, or approval odds that work with your credit history. Banks and credit unions are the traditional route and tend to have stricter approval processes. Online lenders and retailers often approve people with shorter credit histories or lower credit scores. Each source has different requirements, different cards to choose from, and different approval timelines.

The choice matters because it affects not just whether you're approved, but what interest rate you'll pay, what fees you'll owe, and what rewards or benefits come with the card. Someone with no credit history will have an easier time at a retailer or online lender than at a major bank. Someone with excellent credit will find the best rewards and lowest rates at a traditional bank. Understanding where each type of lender sits on the approval spectrum helps you pick the right starting point.

Key Takeaways

• Banks, credit unions, online lenders, and retailers all issue credit cards, and each has different approval standards and card options.
• Traditional banks usually require a good credit score and established credit history, while online lenders and retailers often work with newer credit profiles.
• You can research and request a card online, by phone, or in person, and approval typically takes a few minutes to a few business days.
• Comparing cards before you request one helps you find the right fit for your spending habits and financial situation.

Getting a card from a traditional bank

Most people think of banks first when they want a credit card. Large banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank issue dozens of cards with different rewards structures, annual fees, and interest rates. You can research their cards on their websites, call their customer service line, or walk into a branch. The application itself takes about 15 minutes online or over the phone.

Banks typically approve or deny you within minutes if you apply online. They pull your credit report, check your income, and look at your existing accounts with them. Most bank cards require a credit score of 650 or higher, though some premium cards ask for 750 or above. If you have no credit history yet, a traditional bank is usually not the right starting point — they want to see that you've borrowed money before and paid it back on time.

The upside: bank cards often have the best rewards programs, lowest interest rates for people with good credit, and strong fraud protection. The downside: approval is harder if your credit is new or damaged, and annual fees can be steep on premium cards.

Getting a card from a credit union

A credit union is a member-owned financial institution that works similarly to a bank but often has more flexible approval standards. Credit unions like Navy Federal, Connexus, and Alliant issue credit cards to their members. To get a card from a credit union, you first have to become a member, which usually means opening a savings account with them. Membership requirements vary — some credit unions are open to anyone in a geographic area, while others require you to work in a specific industry or belong to a particular organization.

Once you're a member, you can request a credit card. Credit unions tend to approve people with credit scores as low as 600 and are more willing to work with people rebuilding their credit. The approval process is similar to a bank's — a few minutes to a few business days. Credit union cards often have lower annual fees and more forgiving interest rates than bank cards, though the rewards programs may be less generous.

The upside: credit unions are often more flexible with approval and may offer better rates if you have fair credit. The downside: you have to join first, and the card selection is usually smaller than what a major bank offers.

Getting a card from an online lender

Online lenders like Capital One, Discover, and LendingClub issue credit cards entirely through their websites. You never walk into a physical location. These companies often specialize in cards for people with limited credit history or lower credit scores. Many online lenders approve people with scores as low as 550 or even lower, and some don't require an established credit history at all.

The application is entirely online and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Approval typically comes within minutes, though some lenders take a few business days to verify your information. Online lenders pull your credit report just like banks do, but they weight it differently — they may care more about your income and employment than your credit score.

The upside: easier approval for people new to credit or rebuilding credit, and you can apply from home without visiting a branch. The downside: interest rates are often higher than bank cards, annual fees are common, and rewards programs are usually basic or nonexistent. However, many online lenders offer cards specifically designed to help you build credit, which can be a good stepping stone to a bank card later.

Getting a card from a retailer

Retailers like Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy issue their own credit cards. These are called store cards or co-branded cards, depending on whether they work only at that retailer or everywhere. You can request a store card at checkout, on the retailer's website, or by phone. Many retailers approve people on the spot — literally while you're standing in line — because they use faster, simpler approval processes than banks.

Store card approval standards are often the most lenient of all options. Retailers may approve people with no credit history or credit scores below 600 because they're betting you'll use the card to shop with them. The application takes just a few minutes, and you get an answer almost immediately.

The upside: easiest approval if your credit is new or damaged, and you often get an immediate discount on your first purchase. The downside: interest rates are typically very high, rewards only work at that retailer, and the card is useless elsewhere. Store cards are useful as a first card to build credit, but not as a long-term primary card.

What you need to have ready before you request a card

Whether you're requesting from a bank, credit union, online lender, or retailer, you'll need the same basic information. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You'll need to provide your annual income — this doesn't have to be from a job; it can include disability payments, Social Security, unemployment benefits, or other regular income. You'll need your employment status and employer name, though some lenders don't require this.

If you're requesting online, you'll type this information into a form. If you're requesting in person or by phone, you'll say it out loud or provide it over the phone. The lender will pull your credit report automatically — you don't need to bring anything physical. Some lenders ask for a phone number or email to verify your identity, but most don't ask for documents at this stage. Having this information ready means you won't have to stop midway through the request to hunt for details.

How to compare cards before you request one

Before you request a card, spend 10 minutes comparing what's actually available to you. Start by checking what cards you might be approved for using a pre-qualification tool. Many banks and online lenders have these on their websites — you enter basic information and they tell you which of their cards you're likely to be approved for, without pulling your full credit report. This is a soft inquiry and doesn't affect your credit score.

Look at three things: the annual percentage rate (APR), which is the interest rate you'll pay if you carry a balance; the annual fee, which is what you pay just to have the card; and the rewards or benefits, which is what you get back for using it. If you plan to pay off your balance every month, the APR matters less and the annual fee and rewards matter more. If you might carry a balance, the APR is the most important number.

Write down two or three cards that look like a fit, then request one. You don't need to request multiple cards at once — each request pulls your credit report and temporarily lowers your score. Request one card, wait to hear back, and then request another if you want to compare.

What happens after you request a card

If you request online or by phone, you'll get an answer within minutes to a few business days. The lender will tell you whether you're approved, denied, or need to provide more information. If you're approved, they'll tell you your credit limit — the maximum amount you can borrow on that card. If you're denied, they'll send you a letter explaining why, which you can use to understand what to work on before requesting another card.

If you're approved, your physical card arrives in the mail within 7 to 14 days. In the meantime, many lenders let you use a temporary card number online. When your card arrives, you'll activate it by calling a number on the back or using the lender's app, then you can start using it. Some lenders also let you set up your account and add it to a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay before the physical card shows up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a credit card if I have no credit history?

Yes. Online lenders and retailers are your best options — they approve people with no credit history more readily than banks. A secured credit card, which requires you to deposit money upfront, is another route. Credit unions may also work with you if you become a member first.

What's the difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry?

A soft inquiry happens when you use a pre-qualification tool or a lender checks your credit for marketing purposes — it doesn't affect your credit score. A hard inquiry happens when you formally request a card — it temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Only hard inquiries show up on your credit report.

How many credit cards should I request at once?

Request one at a time. Each request pulls your credit report and lowers your score slightly. Wait to hear back from the first card before requesting another. If you request multiple cards within a short period, lenders may see you as desperate for credit and deny you.

Do I need a job to get a credit card?

No. You need income, but it doesn't have to come from employment. Disability payments, Social Security, unemployment benefits, retirement income, and other regular income all count. You'll need to report your annual income amount when you request.

What if I'm denied for a card?

You'll receive a letter explaining the reason — usually low credit score, short credit history, high debt, or insufficient income. You can request a different card from a lender with more flexible standards, or work on building credit for a few months before requesting again.