What Does It Mean to Prequalify for a Credit Card?
6 Min Read | Published: March 28, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Credit card prequalification is an easy way to help you see how likely you are to be approved for a credit card. Learn how prequalification works.
At-A-Glance
- Prequalifying for credit cards does not guarantee approval, but it may help you check your eligibility without any initial impact on your credit score.
- Using prequalification tools may help you streamline the search for cards that fit your credit profile and lifestyle.
- You can prequalify for a credit card that’s a great fit for you, whether you’re building, repairing, or managing your credit.
If you’re shopping for a new credit card that fits your needs, you may have received prequalifying offers or notifications from card issuers. Prequalification for credit cards may not mean automatic approval, but prequalifying can help simplify your card shopping experience, save you time, and protect your credit score.
What Is Prequalification for a Credit Card?
Credit card prequalification checks if you’re eligible for a credit card, possibly with minimal to no initial impact on your credit score.1 Issuers may perform a soft inquiry or a non-invasive credit check showing whether you prequalify for a credit card that they offer. These soft inquiries have no negative effect on your credit report, whereas the hard inquiries associated with traditional credit applications might.2
Once issuers determine you’re a good fit, they may notify you of prequalification, allowing you to submit a formal application with added confidence. Once you are approved for the card, and you choose to accept, your credit score may be impacted at that time. Keep in mind that some issuers may require hard inquiries in order to prequalify for credit cards, so carefully review the issuer’s requirements before applying. Learn more about how prequalification affects your credit score.
How Does Credit Card Prequalification Work?
Here are the different ways you may be able to see if you prequalify for a credit card:
- Shop With Prequalification Tools
Many card issuers provide online tools that let you input your basic financial details to see if you prequalify for a credit card. You can also use tools to check for multiple credit card offers. - Keep an Eye Out for Offers
Prequalifying offers or notices may arrive in your email, credit card app, or physical mailbox with a link or code for a specific card. - Check Your Issuer’s App
Some issuers may have an app that lets you check if you prequalify for certain cards or see if you would prequalify for a specific card that interests you without running a hard inquiry.
Pros of Prequalifying for a Credit Card
Here are some other benefits of taking the prequalification route:
- Prequalification tools might reduce the time spent evaluating whether you are a good candidate for a particular card and give you potential goals to work toward if you don’t prequalify.
- Even if the offers don’t appeal to you, reviewing them can help you find similar cards that better fit your needs, streamlining your research.
- Soft inquiries have no impact on your credit score or credit report.
Did you know?
You can apply for a U.S. American Express Personal Card and know if you’re approved with no impact to your credit score.
A hard credit check only occurs after you’ve accepted the Card, not during the application process itself. If you choose to accept the Card, the information we provide to the credit bureau(s) may impact your credit score.
Prequalification vs. Preapproval
Because many lenders and borrowers use these two terms interchangeably, the difference between prequalification and preapproval may change depending on the card and the issuer. Both terms mean that your chances of being approved are high. However, like prequalification for credit cards, preapproval doesn’t guarantee approval unless expressly stated by the issuer.2
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest credit card to get pre-approved for depends on several factors, like your income details and credit profile. Getting preapproved may allow you to gauge your eligibility upfront before proceeding with a formal credit card application.3
Credit cards may not guarantee automatic approval, but approval for secured credit cards may be easier to achieve. Since secured cards may require you to deposit your money to serve as a credit limit or the max you can spend with the card, approval can be much likelier.
The specific credit score required for preapproval will depend on the card issuer and the credit card itself. Your likelihood of approval will depend on factors like your credit history, income, and more.
The Takeaway
Even for people with excellent credit, preapproval and prequalification for credit cards don’t guarantee approval, but opting for prequalified offers can save you time and help to preserve your credit score throughout the application process.
1 “What Is Prequalification?,” Experian
2 “Prequalified vs. Preapproved: What’s the Difference?,” Experian
3 “Best credit cards for no credit of 2025,” Experian
Liv Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based writer with a double M.A. in English Linguistics & Literature and Secondary Education. Her work focuses on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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