Como usar seu novo cartão de crédito antes mesmo de ser entregue –

Ever applied for a credit card, then had to wait two weeks before you could make a purchase with it? Those days may be over. Where we once had to wait for a card to arrive in the mail to begin making charges, today’s instant-use credit cards and virtual credit cards can be used immediately without needing a physical card. Cards you can use instantly make it easier to cover unexpected expenses, especially since many card issuers take up to 10 business days to deliver a card to your home. Here’s how you can access your card without having to wait for it.

• Cartões com uso instantâneo facilitam a cobertura de despesas inesperadas;
• Algumas empresas emitem cartões de crédito que podem ser usados imediatamente após a aprovação;
• Cartões virtuais também estão disponíveis como uma opção para começar a fazer compras antes de receber o cartão físico.

Some issuers offer instant-use credit cards that let you make purchases with the card immediately upon approval. These can include retail cards, balance transfer cards and rewards cards. Not every issuer offers instant-use credit cards, but some that do include American Express, Capital One and Chase. Depending on the card, these issuers generally give you your card numbers online or via a digital wallet so you can shop in-person or online right after being approved. Some might also offer a virtual card number that masks your financial data, so you won’t risk exposing your physical card’s information before you receive it. Making purchases with an instant-use credit card depends largely on the type of card it is.

For example, American Express offers instant card numbers to eligible card members. Eligibility is based on American Express’ ability to instantly verify your identity, according to the issuer’s terms and conditions. You can add your instant card number to a digital wallet such as Apple Pay or Samsung Pay or use your card number online anywhere American Express is accepted. Capital One may offer members virtual card access through the Capital One app, or through a browser extension called Eno. However, virtual card numbers may not be available for all Capital One cards. You can use your new Chase credit card instantly upon approval by adding your card to a digital wallet through the Chase mobile app.

Adding a credit card to your digital wallet will depend on the wallet you’re using, but the process is fairly similar across platforms. With Apple Pay, for example, you’ll take the following steps: Once you have added a credit card to your mobile wallet, you can use it to make purchases in person, on websites and in mobile apps. Most of the major card issuers offer instant-use credit cards for some, but not all, of their credit cards. This is true for American Express, Capital One, Chase, Bank of America and U.S. Bank. Smaller banks and credit unions may be less likely to offer instant-use cards.

While many credit cards offer a way to use a new credit card before the physical card arrives in the mail, you may have to wait to get your hands on a credit card. It can typically take anywhere from seven to 10 business days for your new card to arrive in the mail. If you need your physical card quickly, there are instances where card issuers will expedite premium credit cards to get them to new customers sooner. Some card issuers, including Capital One and Wells Fargo, may also be willing to send your new card via priority mail upon request.

If you need your new credit card quickly and your issuer doesn’t offer instant access, this might come in handy. If you’re interested in a credit card you can use right away, look for one that offers the rewards or credit-building perks you want. If the card has an annual fee, check to see if you can get enough value out of it to offset an annual charge. Here are some other factors to consider before applying for a credit card you can use right away:

Instant-use credit cards can help you access your line of credit before your physical card arrives. But there are downsides to consider. For example, an instant-use card can make it easy to purchase items outside of your budget before you have time to think it through. These cards can also make it easier to rack up a large balance that takes time to pay back, especially with credit card interest rates averaging well over 20% APR. Whether you use your card number immediately or after it arrives, we recommend only charging purchases you can afford to pay back in full each month. Don’t let the ease of an instant credit line entice you to overspend.

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