Approved and Ready to Spend: Credit Cards That Won’t Make You Wait

Waiting for your new credit card to arrive by mail can feel like forever, especially when you’re eager to start earning rewards and hitting signup bonuses. Wondering if your card issuer provides instant credit card number? Look no further. Several card issuers offer instant credit card numbers through instant virtual card numbers or expedited physical card delivery. Here’s everything you need to know about which issuers provide these convenient options.

Issuers Offering Instant Credit Card Numbers

An instant credit card number lets you start using your new credit card immediately after approval. These numbers can be used online or added directly to mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Here’s a detailed breakdown by issuer:

Issuer	Instant Virtual Number?	Popular Cards/Details
American Express	Yes	Almost all personal and business cards immediately available online/app.
Capital One	Yes, select cards	Venture, Venture X, Savor cards commonly available via mobile app immediately after approval.
Citi	Yes, select cards	Citi Custom Cash, Citi Double Cash, Citi AA Advantage available online with partial initial credit limit.
Chase	Limited	Some premium cards offer immediate access occasionally, but not guaranteed.
U.S. Bank	Yes, select cards	Premium cards available via app.
Discover	Occasionally	Rarely offers instant virtual numbers online.
Apple Card (Goldman Sachs)	Always	Immediate digital access within Apple Wallet.
Bank of America	Limited	Primarily Alaska Airlines Visa via mobile app.
Barclays	Rarely	Occasionally available if instantly approved.
Cardless	Yes, typically	Commonly provides immediate virtual numbers.
Bilt (Wells Fargo)	Yes	Instant virtual card available immediately upon approval.
Fidelity	Yes	Virtual card numbers provided and usable in digital wallets immediately after approval.
Comenity Bank	Yes, select cards	Some cards provide instant virtual numbers upon approval.

Popular Cards Known for Instant Virtual Numbers:

• American Express Platinum & Gold
• Capital One Venture and Venture X
• Citi Custom Cash & Double Cash
• Apple Card
• Bilt Rewards Mastercard
• Cardless cobranded cards

Issuers Offering Expedited Physical Card Shipping

Prefer having the physical card quickly? Here’s an updated list of card issuers typically offering expedited shipping upon request. After approval, call the issuer’s customer support line to request faster shipping. Some issuers might charge a fee, but often waive it if you ask politely.

Issuer	Expedited Shipping	Typical Delivery Time
American Express	Yes, upon request	1–3 business days
Chase	Yes, for premium cards	1–3 business days
Capital One	Yes, upon request	2–3 business days
Citi	Yes, upon request	1–2 business days
Discover	Yes, upon request	1–3 business days
U.S. Bank	Yes, for premium cards	2–3 business days
Bank of America	Typically not available	7–10 business days
Barclays	Sometimes, upon request	2–3 business days
Wells Fargo (including Bilt)	Sometimes, upon request	2–3 business days
Cardless	Commonly available	2–3 business days
Fidelity (Elan Financial)	Yes, upon request	2–4 business days
Comenity Bank	Occasionally, select cards	2–4 business days
Goldman Sachs (Apple Card)	Standard expedited shipping	2–3 business days

Tip: Even if expedited shipping isn’t advertised or a fee is listed, politely asking customer service may result in waived fees or faster delivery.

Final Thoughts

If getting immediate access to your new credit card is essential, American Express, Capital One, Citi, Cardless, and Apple Card consistently stand out as top options. While Chase and Discover might occasionally offer similar perks, their availability can be less predictable.

Always confirm current offers directly with the issuer, as policies can change frequently. See more here, here, and here.

Have you received instant card numbers or expedited shipping from any of these banks? Share your experience in the comments!