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Instant Decision Credit Cards

Instant decision credit cards provide a customer with an instant decision, on whether you have been accepted or declined, for the card. The decision, for that particular credit card, is available once you have completed the online application process.

Instant Decision Credit Cards

Most UK customers, when they apply for a new credit card, now apply online. As a result these customers, very often prefer to know instantly, whether their credit card application has been, either accepted, or declined.

Instant decision credit cards are now also much more common, than they were many years ago.

All of the UK credit card companies and banks have updated their computer systems for online credit card applications. These newer updated systems can now accommodate the increasing number of credit card applications, which are made online.

Instant Approval Credit Cards

Some instant approval credit cards, although not yet all of them, can also complete all of the required paperwork online. This makes the application process, easier and also faster, for both the customer and the issuing credit card company.

This process, for these instant approval credit cards, does allow you to receive your new credit card faster. These credit cards with instant approval, are generally more popular with UK card customers.

There are however, still a small number of card companies that still require you to wait to receive the paperwork from the card company. You then still need to sign and return that paperwork. Only after this process has been completed, will you then receive your new credit card.

Instant Credit Card UK

With an instant credit card in the UK, you can now get a fast online decision. This can often be within a couple of minutes, after you have completed the application form.

During the recent Coronavirus pandemic, many UK credit card companies had reduced staffing levels. As a result, this did lead to some delays in the approval process. This also lead to delays in delivering new cards to customers, even for an instant credit card in the UK.

Currently not all of the UK 0% credit cards are available with an instant approval online. Some banks, and card companies, can not provide an instant approval for their credit cards late at night, or over the weekend, for example.

However, all of the following featured 0% credit cards are instant decision credit cards. These cards can offer the customer an instant online decision at the end of the application process.


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Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 24 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for 3 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
HSBC Balance Transfer*
  • 0% interest for up to 24 months on balance transfers made within first 60 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee applies (minimum £5)
  • 0% interest on purchases for 3 months from account opening
  • At end of promotional period, balance transfers and purchases will revert to standard variable rate
  • Worldwide offers and discounts with HSBC home&Away
  • Manage your card online
  • Annual Fee: None
HSBC Balance Transfer*
  • You have an annual income or pension before tax of £6,800 or more
  • You are a UK resident
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You do not hold an HSBC Basic bank account
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
Credit is subject to status, affordability and applicable terms and conditions. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for up to 20 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
M&S Purchase Plus*
  • 0% for up to 12 months on balance transfers made within 90 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee, minimum £5
  • 0% on purchases for up to 20 months from account opening
  • Collect M&S points every time you shop anywhere in the world with your card
  • One point for every £1 you spend in M&S and one point for every £5 you spend elsewhere
  • Manage account online
  • Annual Fee: None
M&S Purchase Plus*
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have an annual income or pension of at least £6,800
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You have not held a credit card with M&S Bank within the previous 12 months
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 16 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for up to 18 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
HSBC Purchase Plus*
  • 0% interest for up to 16 months on balance transfers made within first 60 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee applies (minimum £5)
  • 0% interest on purchases for up to 18 months from account opening
  • At end of promotional period, balance transfers and purchases will revert to standard variable rate
  • Worldwide offers and discounts with HSBC home&Away
  • Manage your card online
  • Annual Fee: None
HSBC Purchase Plus*
  • You have an annual income or pension before tax of £6,800 or more
  • You are a UK resident
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You do not hold an HSBC Basic bank account
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
Credit is subject to status, affordability and applicable terms and conditions. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.9%
Purchases:
0% for up to 12 months
Representative APR:
34.9% APR (variable)
Post Office Classic Credit Card
  • 0% on balance transfers for up to 12 months
  • 2.9% balance transfer fee
  • 0% on purchases for up to 12 months
  • Credit limit up to £8,000
  • Online account management
  • Annual Fee: None
Post Office Classic Credit Card
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You are aged 18 or over
Representative Example: 34.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 34.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from Capital One or Post Ofice credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 26 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for 3 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
M&S Transfer Plus*
  • 0% for up to 26 months on balance transfers made within 90 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee, minimum £5
  • 0% on purchases for 3 months from account opening
  • Collect M&S points every time you shop anywhere in the world with your card
  • One point for every £1 you spend in M&S and one point for every £5 you spend elsewhere
  • Manage account online
  • Annual Fee: None
M&S Transfer Plus*
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have an annual income or pension of at least £6,800
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You have not held a credit card with M&S Bank within the previous 12 months
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards

Credit Card Instant Approval?

How does a card company make their decision for a customer applying for a credit card with instant approval?

The credit card companies use a process called credit scoring, to help them make a decision online. This credit scoring happens after you complete the credit card’s online application form.

To score the application, the card company will use the information, supplied by you, on the application form. The card company will also use the information which is held by a credit reference agency about the customer, to make their decision. In order to be accepted for that instant decision credit card, you will need to pass that credit card company’s criteria.

All credit card companies score customers differently. However, all of the UK card companies use mostly the same type of information, when making their decision. This information includes your current, and/or previous, home address details, as well as your employment history. Your current monthly income, from a salary or pension, your monthly outgoings, and also your previous use of credit are all considered, as well.

Occasionally, even with instant decision credit cards, the credit card company maybe unable to make an instant online decision. In these cases, the card company may then refer the application.

With a referred application, a credit analyst will look at your application in more detail. The credit analyst may need to request more information from you, in order to make a decision.. This information may also be used to determine the size of your overall credit limit. A credit card with a 5000 limit, or a 10k credit card limit, for example.

Quick Credit Card

Many of the leading UK credit card companies, including the M&S 0% credit card, can now offer a quick credit card delivery after a successful online application.

How long does it take to get a credit card? Most UK credit card companies say to allow around 7 or more working days to receive a new 0% credit card. However, very often with some quick credit cards, you will receive a faster delivery. You can now often expect your new card within 3 to 5 days, after completing the application process.

However, this time may increase during a bank holiday period, for example. Delivery may also take longer if there are any delays within the postal system. These delays can be due to bad weather, or industrial action, for example.

Instant decision credit cards are currently available in the UK, for cards using both the MasterCard and Visa payment networks.


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Published: March 26, 2024, Updated: March 26, 2024 by 0% Credit Card Expert

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