If you’ve ever wanted to know whether you’re likely to be approved for a credit card before actually applying, that’s exactly what prequalified and preapproved offers are designed to show you. These offers are based on a soft credit check and give you a preview of which cards you’re likely to qualify for—without impacting your credit score.
These days, you don’t have to wait for something to arrive in the mail. Most major banks now let you check for prequalified or preapproved credit card offers online, and the process usually takes just a minute or two.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to check your status, how different issuers handle prequalification, and what you can do to improve your chances of receiving better credit card offers in the future.
What are prequalified and preapproved credit card offers?
When a credit card issuer says you’re prequalified or preapproved, it means they’ve reviewed some of your credit information and think you have a good chance of being approved. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a strong signal that you meet the card’s basic criteria.
The terms “prequalified,” “preapproved,” and “prescreened” are often used interchangeably, but they’re slightly different:
- Prequalified usually means you’ve passed a soft credit check and meet some general eligibility standards. You may have initiated this by filling out an online form.
- Preapproved generally means the card issuer has already reviewed your credit profile through a prescreened list and believes you’re a strong candidate. You may have received an offer by mail or email.
- Prescreened refers to a marketing process where a lender accesses credit data to send you targeted offers—typically what powers preapproval mailers.
Whether it’s prequalification or preapproval, these offers help you identify credit cards you’re likely to qualify for before you submit a full application.
Do prequalified offers guarantee approval?
No. Prequalified and preapproved offers only mean you’ve met the issuer’s initial screening criteria. You still have to submit a full application, and the lender will do a hard credit inquiry and verify your income and other financial details before making a final decision.
Will checking for offers hurt my credit score?
Not at all. When you check for prequalified or preapproved offers, the credit card issuer performs a soft inquiry—which doesn’t affect your credit score. Your score is only impacted if you go ahead and formally apply for the card, which triggers a hard inquiry.
How to Check If You’re Preapproved for a Credit Card Online
You don’t need to wait for a credit card offer to arrive in your mailbox. Here are the easiest and most effective ways to check for prequalified and preapproved offers yourself.
Use Online Prequalification Tools
Most major credit card issuers offer an online prequalification tool. You’ll enter basic details like your name, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. In return, you’ll get a list of credit card offers you’re likely to qualify for—without a hard credit check.
These tools are fast, free, and don’t affect your credit score. Some issuers also let you select preferences like cash back or travel rewards to help tailor your results.
Check Your Mail for Offers with RSVP Codes
If you still receive credit card offers by mail, don’t toss them just yet. Many of these are preapproved or prescreened offers. Look for a unique RSVP code or website link you can use to accept the offer. Take a moment to review the card’s terms before applying.
Log In to Your Credit Monitoring Account
Many credit monitoring services display prequalified credit card offers inside your account dashboard. If you’re subscribed to services like Credit Karma, Experian, or LifeLock, you might find targeted offers listed based on your credit profile.
Ask Your Current Bank or Credit Union
If you already bank with a financial institution, check to see if they’ve made any credit card offers available to you. Banks often extend preapproved offers to existing customers, especially those with strong relationships. You can check online, in the app, or by visiting a branch.
Other Ways to Find Offers
Some additional methods worth trying include:
- Storefront promotions – Occasionally, banks set up booths at local retailers or events with tools to check your eligibility on-site.
- Credit card dashboards – If you already have a card, your issuer may show other cards you’re preapproved for when you log in.
- Opt in to credit card offers – Visit OptOutPrescreen.com to make sure you’re included on prescreened lists shared with lenders.
How to Check Offers From Major Banks
Most major credit card issuers now let you check for prequalified or preapproved offers online. These tools are quick to use and only require a soft credit check, so there’s no risk to your credit score. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of how each bank or card issuer handles prequalification and what to expect from the process.
American Express
Visit the American Express website and enter your name, address, and last four digits of your Social Security number. Then, choose your preferences—like travel, cashback, or flexible rewards—to see tailored card offers. If you received a mail offer, you can redeem it using your RSVP code.
Popular Amex Cards: Platinum Card®, Gold Card, Blue Cash Preferred®, Blue Cash Everyday®, Green Card
Apple Card (Goldman Sachs)
Apple Card offers instant preapproval through the Wallet app on your iPhone. Simply tap “Apply” and follow the prompts. You’ll see if you’re preapproved without affecting your credit. Only accepting the offer will trigger a hard inquiry.
Notable Feature: No fees, daily cashback, and direct integration with Apple Pay
Bank of America
Head to Bank of America’s prequalification page. After entering your personal information and choosing the card type you’re interested in—cashback, travel, or balance transfer—you’ll get matched offers within seconds, all with no impact on your credit score.
Popular BofA Cards: Cash Rewards, Travel Rewards, Premium Rewards®, BankAmericard®, Student cards
Capital One
Use Capital One’s prequalification tool to check for offers. You’ll provide your full Social Security number and answer two short questions: what card benefit matters most to you, and how you’d rate your credit. The process uses a soft inquiry unless you submit a full application.
Popular Capital One Cards: Quicksilver®, Venture®, Platinum, Savor®, Walmart Rewards
Chase
Go to Chase’s credit card page and look for the “Check for Offers” prompt. Enter your name, address, and last four of your Social Security number to see personalized offers. It’s a soft inquiry and won’t affect your score unless you apply.
Popular Chase Cards: Sapphire Preferred®, Sapphire Reserve®, Freedom Flex℠, Amazon Prime Visa, United Explorer Card
Citibank
Citibank has a streamlined prequalification form on its website. You’ll provide your contact details and card preference, and get a quick decision with no credit impact. Citi says they won’t follow up if you don’t apply.
Popular Citi Cards: Citi Premier®, Citi Double Cash®, Citi Simplicity®, Diamond Preferred®, Costco Anywhere Visa®
Credit One Bank
Credit One caters mostly to consumers with bad or rebuilding credit. Use their online tool to see if you prequalify without affecting your score. Offers are based on your credit profile, income, and payment history.
Popular Credit One Cards: Platinum Visa®, American Express® by Credit One, Platinum X5 Visa®, No Annual Fee Visa®
Deserve
Deserve focuses on students and international applicants. You can check for prequalification on their website with no hard inquiry. They consider alternative data like education and income.
Popular Deserve Cards: Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students
Discover
Visit Discover’s prequalification page and enter your personal details and whether you’re a student. You’ll see which cards you’re prequalified for, and the process uses only a soft pull.
Popular Discover Cards: Discover it® Cash Back, Chrome, Miles, Student Cash Back, Balance Transfer
Mercury® Mastercard®
Mercury doesn’t offer open prequalification, but frequently sends preapproved offers by mail. If you received one, visit the website and enter your reservation code to check your offer.
Card Purpose: Designed for consumers rebuilding credit with a clean payment history
Mission Lane
Mission Lane helps people with poor or limited credit. Their online prequalification tool gives you a result without a hard credit inquiry, making it a low-risk way to check your eligibility.
Popular Card: Mission Lane Visa®
Petal
Petal specializes in cards for people with no or limited credit history. You can prequalify using a soft pull, and they may use alternative underwriting criteria based on your banking habits.
Popular Petal Cards: Petal® 1 and Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Cards
Synchrony Bank
Synchrony offers prequalification for some of its retail and co-branded cards. For example, you can check eligibility for the Lowe’s Advantage Card on the Lowe’s website without a hard pull.
Popular Synchrony Cards: Lowe’s Advantage Card, Sam’s Club Mastercard, PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Upgrade
Upgrade provides hybrid personal loan/credit card products. Their online prequalification tool lets you check offers based on your credit and income. No hard inquiry until you accept an offer.
Popular Upgrade Products: Upgrade Visa®, Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
USAA
If you’re a USAA member, log in to your account and visit the “My Offers” page. You’ll automatically see any preapproved offers based on your profile. Membership is limited to military members and their families. Their credit cards are one of the few offering cardholders free access to their FICO scores, and they also offer a checking account that doesn’t use ChexSystems for approval.
Popular USAA Cards: USAA Rewards Visa®, Cashback Rewards Plus, Rate Advantage Platinum Visa®
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank does not currently offer prequalification tools for credit cards. You’ll need to apply directly, which will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Popular U.S. Bank Cards: Cash+® Visa Signature®, Altitude® Reserve, Altitude® Go, Visa® Platinum
Wells Fargo
Visit Wells Fargo’s prequalification page to see what offers are available to you. The soft credit check won’t impact your score, and you can review your results in under a minute.
Popular Wells Fargo Cards: Active Cash®, Autograph®, Reflect®, Bilt Mastercard®
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Prequalified Credit Card Offer
Getting prequalified offers can make it easier to compare options without risking your credit score. If you’re not seeing many—or want better ones—here’s how to improve your odds:
- Improve your credit score: Pay your bills on time, reduce outstanding balances, check your credit reports for errors, and avoid applying for multiple cards in a short time.
- Build a relationship with your bank: Lenders are more likely to prequalify existing customers, especially if you maintain a healthy balance or use other banking products.
- Report higher income: If you’ve received a raise or added a new income stream, update that info with the credit bureaus to improve your creditworthiness.
- Keep old accounts open: A longer credit history helps your score. Even if you rarely use an older card, keeping it open can work in your favor.
- Diversify your credit mix: Having both credit cards and installment loans shows lenders you can manage different types of credit responsibly.
- Keep your personal info up to date: Make sure the credit bureaus have your current address, phone number, and other contact details so offers can reach you.
- Be patient and consistent: Solid financial habits take time to reflect in your credit profile, but they will increase the quantity and quality of your offers.
Bottom Line
The best way to find credit card offers isn’t to wait for them to clutter up your mailbox. Instead, take control of your situation and browse some risk-free prequalifications.
While there’s no definite guarantee that you’ll be approved, it’s a good starting point. Then you can research the prequalified offers in greater detail to see if it seems like a strong match for you.
The forms are quick enough that you won’t have to dig through old files and bank accounts searching for information. Everything you need should already be inside your head.
