How to get preapproved for a Capital One credit card

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It can be frustrating to apply for a rewards credit card only to have your application denied out of the blue. Luckily, getting preapproved for a credit card can help you determine the likelihood that you’ll be approved without actually having to apply. Best of all, it doesn’t hurt your credit score and takes just a few minutes to check.

Capital One has some great credit card offers for both credit card newcomers and consumers interested in maximizing credit card rewards. These include simple cash back credit cards, lucrative travel credit cards and points-earning rewards cards. If you’re interested in a Capital One credit card, going through the preapproval process is a great way to save time, protect your credit and receive targeted offers that match you with relevant cards according to your credit score and borrower profile.

You can use Bankrate’s CardMatch tool to quickly and easily see which cards you may be preapproved for. It’s also possible to gain preapproval for credit card offers on Capital One’s website. Either way, it can take just a few minutes to check and see if you’re preapproved for certain cards.

What is credit card preapproval, and how does it work?

When you apply for a credit card, the lender typically runs a hard pull on your credit before deciding whether to approve your application. If your application is rejected, not only are you unable to open up a credit card with the lender, but the hard pull could also negatively affect your credit score. Since a hard inquiry temporarily dings your credit score by a few points, this can be especially frustrating if your credit score is on the threshold of moving from average to good or good to excellent. The temporary setback to your credit score can also make it more difficult to qualify for competitive card offers moving forward.

Getting preapproved or prequalified for a credit card allows you to see if you are likely to qualify for a certain card before you officially submit an application. This is helpful because it can give you an idea of what credit cards are available to you without hurting your credit score. It can also give you the confidence to submit an application for a card that meets your needs. While preapproval isn’t a guarantee that your application for a credit card will be approved, it’s a strong sign that a lender will be willing to approve your application.

How to get preapproved for a Capital One credit card

There are several ways to get preapproved for a Capital One credit card, including using Bankrate’s CardMatch tool and prequalifying for a card on Capital One’s website.

Check for offers on Bankrate’s CardMatch tool

One of the easiest ways to see if you are preapproved for a Capital One credit card is to use Bankrate’s CardMatch tool. To use the tool, you’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself including your name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Bankrate’s secure tool will then match you with personalized offers based on your borrower profile.

Because the preapproval process only triggers a soft pull, it won’t affect your credit. Plus, you’ll be able to compare rewards and rates from multiple credit cards and quickly and easily submit an application for the card that works best for you. You can learn more about how to use CardMatch here.

Prequalify on Capital One’s website

You can also get preapproved for a Capital One card directly from its website. As with the CardMatch tool, you’ll need to provide some personal information that includes your name, address and Social Security number. You’ll also need to provide information about your income, expenses and employment status. The lender will then let you know if you’re preapproved for any Capital One credit cards.

Additional ways to prequalify for Capital One credit cards

There are a few additional ways to prequalify for a Capital One card. If you receive a targeted flier in the mail, you can follow the instructions on the card to apply. You can also visit a physical bank branch to speak with a representative in person and learn more about your options.

Best Capital One credit cards for prequalified offers

Capital One offers some solid credit cards for borrowers, whether you’re looking to earn general cash back, miles for travel or rewards for spending in particular categories.

How to increase your chances of getting preapproved

Preapproval is a great way to find out which cards you qualify for without hurting your credit, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be preapproved for every card you have your heart set on. Here are a few things you can do to boost your credit score and increase your chances of being approved.

Make on-time payments on your credit cards

One of the most important factors influencing your credit score is your history of on-time payments. Making on-time payments consistently each month will help your credit. On the other hand, even a few missed or late payments can have a serious negative impact on your score. In order to boost your chances of preapproval, be sure to prioritize making on-time payments each month.

Reduce your credit utilization

Credit utilization is another important factor that influences your credit score. The higher your credit utilization, the worse it is for your credit. You can decrease your credit utilization ratio by reducing the balances on your credit cards and paying off debt. Opening up a new credit card can also potentially reduce your credit utilization because it increases the amount of credit available to you.

Sign up for Experian Boost

While utility bills don’t usually appear on your credit report, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can be rewarded for a history of on-time utility payments by signing up for Experian Boost. This service from Experian allows consumers to list monthly bills, like utility bills and phone bills, on their Experian credit report. Just by paying your utility bills on time each month, you can work to increase your credit score.

The bottom line

Capital One has plenty of great rewards credit cards to choose from, whether you’re looking for travel cards, cash back cards or something in between. If you’re a borrower with less-than-stellar credit, these cards may be hard to qualify for. However, you don’t have to suffer a rejected application – or unnecessary hard credit pull – to find out. To see if you qualify without hurting your credit, you can use Bankrate’s CardMatch tool to get preapproved or visit Capital One’s website.