Posted by: John S Kiernan

It takes 7-10 business days to get a new credit card after being approved for an account, in most cases. That means it usually takes 14-24 business days to get a credit card after submitting an application, though the timeframe will be a lot shorter if you’re approved instantly. And if you need a replacement card because your original was lost, stolen or damaged, it will take 3-7 business days, depending on the issuer. Most credit card companies offer free expedited shipping for replacement cards (often overnight), and a handful extend the benefit to new cards. You just have to ask. Others charge a fee for faster delivery, while some don’t offer the service at all.

Other than that, applying online is the most dependable way to make sure you get your credit card as quickly as possible. It ensures the issuer receives your application immediately, and you could be approved instantly if you clearly meet your chosen card’s requirements. You can’t overlook the importance of choosing the right card to apply for, either. Getting rejected and having to go through the process all over again will obviously make it take a lot longer to get a credit card. Getting pre-approved and checking your latest credit score for free before applying both can help in that regard. See 2018's Best Credit Cards You can find more tips for getting a credit card faster below. But first, since so much depends on the issuer, we researched how long the 16 largest credit card companies say it takes to get their cards, both for new accounts and replacements. We also included a breakdown of their policies regarding expedited delivery.

Here’s how long it takes to get a new credit card in the mail:

 

Issuer	Standard Timeframe	Expedited Delivery
	7-10 Business Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	1-2 Business Days (free)
	7-10 Business Days	Within 72 Hours (free)
	14 Calendar Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	2-3 Business Days ($16)
	5-7 Business Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	Overnight ($8)
	7-10 Business Days	1-2 Business Days ($15)
	10 Business Days (avg.)	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	N/A
	5-7 Business Days	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	2-3 Business Days ($12)

 

Here’s how long it takes to get a replacement credit card:

 

Issuer	Standard Timeframe	Expedited Delivery
	3 Business Days (avg.)	Overnight (free)
	3-5 Business Days	1-2 Business Days (free)
	7-10 Calendar Days	Overnight (free)
	5-7 Business Days	Overnight ($6)
	3-6 Business Days	N/A
	5-7 Business Days	Overnight (free)
	7-10 Business Days	2-3 Business Days($25)
	7-10 Business Days	1-3 Business Days($16)
	7-10 Business Days	3-5 Business Days ($14)
	7-10 Business Days	1-2 Business Days ($15)
	10 Business Days (avg.)	N/A
	7-10 Business Days	3-5 Business Days ($25)
	7-10 Business Days	Overnight ($20)
	10-14 Business Days	3-5 Business Days (free)
	7-10 Business Days	2 Business Days ($25)
	7-10 Business Days	2-3 Business Days ($12)

How to Get a Credit Card Faster (and Get By in the Meantime)

There’s really no way around the timeframes quoted by credit card companies for new and replacement cards. That's why it’s important to plan for the period in which you may be card-less. Here are some tips for getting by while your card is on the way, and perhaps speeding up the process just a bit:

• Make The Request As Soon As Possible: The sooner you apply for a new card or request a replacement, the faster you’ll get it. That’s obvious. But it’s important, especially if you’re replacing a lost, stolen or damaged card. You don’t want to lose a shipping day, for one thing, and putting it off will increase the burden on your finances in the interim. You shouldn’t have to ask just because your current card is about to expire, as the issuer will likely send a replacement automatically. But it can’t hurt to ask, just to be sure.
• Ask For Branch Pick-Up: Some issuers may let you get a new or replacement card from a branch location. In the case of a replacement card, they may even issue temporary plastic until your new card comes in.
• Withdraw Cash From A Branch: You should be able to get a cash advance from your credit card account at a branch location if you absolutely need money in the absence of a physical card. Don’t do this on a whim, though, as cash advances as very expensive. We only recommend doing them in emergency situations.
• Get A Tracking Number: This won’t make your card come any quicker, but knowing where it is while in transit will make planning easier.

If you haven’t picked a card yet, you can’t go wrong with one of WalletHub’s editors’ best credit card selections. We regularly compare 1,000+ credit card offers to identify the top cards in the most popular categories for people of all credit levels. And if you want a personalized recommendation, just sign up for a free WalletHub account. We’ll find you the best cards with high approval odds, based on an analysis of your credit history.

Image: JrCasas / Shutterstock

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