What Credit Score Do You Need to Get Approved for a Credit Card?

If you are planning to add another credit card to your wallet, you must meet certain requirements for approval. Lenders assess your financial stability, payment history, and overall creditworthiness before granting a new card. Understanding these criteria can increase your chances of approval. Being prepared ensures a smoother application process.

In most situations, the less debt you carry, the better your chances of getting approved for a credit card. Consistently making timely payments also strengthens your application. Maintaining a low debt-to-income ratio signals financial responsibility to lenders. These factors combined make the approval process much easier.

When applying for a credit card, one of the most critical factors is your credit score. A higher score demonstrates good credit management and reliability to the lender. But what qualifies as a “high enough” score for approval? Read on to discover the benchmarks and tips to improve your chances.

Get Approved

The Credit Score Mystery (and Paradox)

When you apply for a credit card, whether online or in the bank, you have zero ideas about what credit score they need for you to get approved. For instance, if your score is 670 (which is good considering it’s above average), it won’t matter if the card you are applying for needs a credit score of 700 or above.

Most people who apply for credit cards are denied, and the more you are denied, the more your credit score is negatively affected. So, knowing the credit score expectation before applying is wise. For example, if you plan to apply with Chase or Bank of America, be sure to have at least a 750 credit score or above.

Cards Requiring Credit Scores of 750

Depending on your credit score, there are different credit cards available to suit your level. For example, if your score is 750 or higher, you can qualify for some of the top-tier cards. These cards often come with premium rewards and benefits. Knowing your score helps you target the cards you are most likely to be approved for.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card

This is one of the top travel cards, offering 2x points on all travel purchases and 3x points on dining. You can earn 5x points when redeeming travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The card provides excellent opportunities to maximize rewards for frequent travelers. With these benefits, it is ideal for both dining and travel expenses.

Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa Credit Card

This credit card offers perks across almost all categories, making it highly versatile. You can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus by spending $500 in the first three months. Additionally, it provides 2% cash rewards on purchases. Beyond these, the card includes many other valuable benefits for cardholders.

Cards Requiring Credit Scores of 700

Getting a FICO score of 700 or higher can be challenging, but it is achievable with consistent effort. You need to use your card for at least three months without any late payments. Maintaining on-time payments is key to building a strong credit history. Here are some of the cards that fit this category.

Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card

This card provides a 75,000-mile bonus when you spend $5,000 within the first three months of account opening. You earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on regular purchases. Additionally, you receive 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel. These rewards make it ideal for frequent travelers seeking to maximize their miles.

Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card

This card matches all cashback earned in the first year, giving you extra rewards for your spending. It also offers 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases during the first 14 months. You can earn 5% cashback on selected categories each quarter, adding to your savings. Beyond this, the card includes numerous other benefits to maximize your rewards.

Conclusion

If you are starting to use credit or recovering from missed or late payments, this means your score is in the mid-600s. With this score, it will be pretty hard to get approved. Check for cards that are open to accepting people with poor or no credit limit and use them to improve your credit score over time.

Ethan Varela
Ethan Varela
Ethan Varela is a Certified Financial Analyst with over 15 years of experience in investment strategy, consumer credit, and personal finance education. Before launching his independent finance platform, Ethan advised Fortune 500 companies and high-net-worth clients at two top-tier investment banks. He’s passionate about breaking down complex financial topics into strategies everyday people can use to build real wealth. When he's not decoding credit reports or optimizing debt payoffs, Ethan’s probably hiking or hunting for vintage financial books no one reads anymore—but probably should.