If your application for an instant approval credit card has been declined, we suggest reviewing the card’s eligibility requirements and contacting the issuer for more details on your denial.
We don’t recommend applying for a different card right away, since that can negatively impact your credit score. In fact, each time you apply for a new credit card, a hard inquiry appears on your credit report, which lowers your score by a few points each time and stays on your credit report for two years (although the negative impact lessens over time).
Instead, you may want to use a pre-approval tool — which several issuers offer — to see if you prequalify for an offer before completing an application. Note that if you are prequalified, your chances of approval are high, but not guaranteed until the issuer conducts a more thorough check of your application and credit history.