Best Instant Approval Cards Of May 2024

Instant application approval for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ means you can quickly begin exercising the solid bonus-points earnings for spending on select categories. The card spending structure isn’t the most simple if you want to maximize your rewards, but if you don’t mind tracking rotating quarterly categories, you’ll find the 5% cash-back bonus more than worth your time.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: While Forbes Advisor never recommends carrying a balance, if you find yourself needing to extend your credit, the Freedom Flex comes with a low intro APR. You’ll get 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% applies. Balance transfer fee of up to 5% (min. $5) of the amount of each transfer applies. To sweeten the deal, the card also includes a welcome offer, which isn’t common with 0% APR cards.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® not only offers instant approval upon application, it comes with significant perks for frequent travelers. Cardholders can utilize a $300 annual travel credit, access lounges through a Priority Pass Select membership and industry-leading travel protections.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights and 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $550

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with top-of-the-line perks—at a price. You’ll fork over a $550 annual fee. This could be a deal breaker for non-travelers, but for those who can maximize the card’s benefits, the annual fee will be more than worth it.

Not only does the offer automatic application approval, it also offers instant card number access (for eligible applicants) so you don’t even have to wait for the card to arrive in the mail (Terms apply, see rates & fees).

Rewards: Earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $250

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Gold card’s worldwide restaurant and grocery store bonus categories offer a whopping 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent—one of the best rates out there. A $10 monthly Uber Cash credit plus a $10-a-month dining credit at select merchants can help to offset the annual fee, which sits at $250. Enrollment is required for some benefits.

Another premium card that comes with a premium annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card makes the most sense for frequent Delta flyers looking to fast track their way to elite status (Terms apply, see rates & fees).

Rewards: Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $650

Other benefits and drawbacks: Lounge access (effective 2/1/25, cardholders will receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year; unlimited visits can be earned when total purchases exceed $75,000 in 2024 and each calendar year thereafter), upgrade priority and 15% off award tickets (flights booked with miles) are just a few of the benefits of the Delta Reserve card. But like all card benefits, they are only worth it if you actually use them. If you don’t fly Delta often, or even travel semi-frequently, the annual fee won’t outweigh the perks and you’ll be better off looking for other card options.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has generous rewards and an introductory APR offer that can help you save money on interest (Terms apply, see rates & fees).

Rewards: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Welcome offer: Earn $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.

Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

Other benefits and drawbacks: Like other American Express credit cards, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers instant approval in addition to allowing cardholders access to their card numbers so they can use them right away.

If you want to save money on interest, you should also be aware this card extends 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers requested within the first 60 days of account opening, followed by a variable APR of 19.24%-29.99% variable. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies.

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees) is another American Express credit card available for instant approval in addition to giving you access to your credit card number upon approval (if you’re eligible).

Rewards: Earn 12 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 6 points on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations, 4 points on eligible U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points for other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 130,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $150

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card comes with benefits for Hilton loyalists including automatic Hilton Gold status and a free night certificate when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. The $150 annual fee on this card can be well worth it if you can use all the benefits.

If you apply for the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®*, you can access a temporary card number you can use in conjunction with the Walmart app for in-person or online purchases.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on purchases made at Walmart.com and the Walmart app, including grocery pickup and delivery, 2% cash back on restaurants and travel, and at Walmart Stores, Walmart & Murphy USA fuel stations and 1% back everywhere else.

Welcome offer: Earn 5% cash back on purchases made in Walmart stores for the first 12 months of account opening when using the Capital One Walmart Rewards card with Walmart Pay.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: This cash-back credit card lets you earn 5% cash on purchases made on Walmart.com or with the Walmart app, and this benefit extends to grocery delivery and grocery pickup from Walmart. You also earn 5% cash back in physical Walmart stores for the first 12 months when you use the Walmart Pay app, as well as 2% cash back on regular Walmart store purchases and dining and travel.

You won’t pay an annual fee for this card either, so you can keep it for the long haul. Other benefits you’ll receive if approved for the World Elite Mastercard version include no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, extended warranties and more.

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card* offers instant approval and lets eligible cardholders access a digital account number for use in a mobile wallet or online right away. Considering there’s no annual fee, and you can earn a generous welcome bonus and elevated rewards at U.S. supermarkets makes it worth considering.

Rewards: Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1X), 2 points per dollar when using the card to book trips through American Express Travel and 1 point for every eligible dollar on everything else. Plus, use the card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period and earn 20% extra points on those purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 points after spending $2,000 in qualifying purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders of the Amex EveryDay can boost their earnings by 20% when they use their card 20 times or more in a billing cycle. You’ll also enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a regular APR of 18.24% - 29.24% variable. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies.