7 Best Credit Cards That Offer Instant Card Numbers Upon Approval

Earning Structure:

• 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 1x point on other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus:

As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• APR: 20.24% to 29.24% variable on eligible charges (Pay Over Time feature)
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Instant card number: Available upon approval with ability to add to digital wallets

Key Benefits:

• Access to American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Annual airline fee credit and travel credits
• Hotel elite status with select partners
• Premium concierge service
• Strong travel protections and purchase coverage

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, with a FICO score of at least 670.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee makes the card most valuable to frequent travelers who will fully use its premium perks.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Instant card number access allows new members to begin spending and earning rewards immediately, making it easier to achieve the welcome bonus requirements.

Earning Structure:

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X)
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 2x points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other purchases through AmexTravel.com
• 1x point on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

As high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $325
• APR: 20.74%–29.74% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Instant card number: Available upon approval with ability to add to digital wallets

Key Benefits:

• Strong rewards on dining and groceries
• Flexible Membership Rewards® program
• Useful travel protections and purchase coverage
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants generally need good to excellent credit, often starting around a 670 FICO score.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The card has an annual fee and may not be ideal for those who don’t spend much on dining or groceries.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Simple earning categories and instant access make it easy for new cardholders to start earning rewards quickly.

Earning Structure:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $395
• APR: 19.99%–29.24% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Instant card number: Available via Capital One app with option to add to digital wallets

Key Benefits:

• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary
• Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access
• Strong travel protections and cell phone coverage

Redemption Options:

Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases, transferred to airline and hotel partners, or used for statement credits.

Credit Requirements:

Generally requires excellent credit, typically in the 740–850 range.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The best earning rates apply only to purchases through Capital One Travel, which may limit flexibility.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Flat-rate rewards and simple redemption options make it easy for new users to earn and use miles effectively.

Earning Structure:

• 2x miles on every purchase
• 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• APR: 19.99%–29.24% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Instant card number: Available via Capital One app with option to add to digital wallets

Key Benefits:

• Easy flat-rate earning on all purchases
• Ability to transfer miles to over 15 airline and hotel partners
• Travel accident insurance included
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

Redemption Options:

Miles can be transferred to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners, used for travel credits, or redeemed for gift cards.

Credit Requirements:

Generally requires good to excellent credit, typically in the 670–850 range.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The highest bonus rates are limited to travel bookings made through Capital One Travel.

Why it Works for Beginners:

With simple earning and flexible redemptions, it’s a straightforward card for those new to travel rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3x on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
• 2x on all other travel purchases
• 1x on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• APR: 19.99%–28.24% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Instant card number: Available through Spend Instantly with digital wallets

Key Benefits:

• 10% annual points bonus on purchases made each year
• Primary rental car insurance coverage
• Purchase protection and extended warranty benefits
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:

Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel. They can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners or used for cash back, gift cards, and other options.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit is recommended (typically FICO 670–850).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Bonus categories are valuable but can be somewhat limited compared to higher-tier travel cards.

Why it Works for Beginners:

The combination of a generous welcome bonus, flexible redemptions, and easy-to-use categories makes it a great starter card for travel rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel, including The EditSM
• 4x points on flights booked direct
• 4x points on hotels booked direct
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x points on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

The card offers 125,000 bonus points for new cardholders after spending $6,000 in the first three months of joining.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• APR: 20.24%–28.74% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Instant card number: Available through Spend Instantly with digital wallets

Key Benefits:

• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass™ lounge access
• TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee credit
• Strong travel protections, including trip delay and rental car coverage

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed through Chase Travel with no blackout dates or transferred at a 1:1 ratio to top airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants need excellent credit, with a FICO score of 740–850, to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee may not be worth it for those who travel infrequently.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Instant card access and simple bonus categories make it easy for new travelers to start earning and using rewards quickly.

Earning Structure:

• 3 points per dollar on dining (including 5x at Bilt Neighborhood Dining partners)
• 2 points per dollar on travel booked directly with airlines, hotels, car rentals, cruises, or through the Bilt Travel Portal
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, including rent payments (earnings on rent capped at 100,000 points per year)
• 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides when linked with a Bilt account and paid with the card
• Must make at least 5 transactions per statement period to earn rewards

Welcome Bonus:

The Bilt Mastercard® does not currently offer a traditional welcome bonus.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: 20.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Instant card number: Available upon approval with the option to add to digital wallets

Key Benefits:

• Earn rewards on rent with no transaction fee
• Access to Bilt Neighborhood Dining partners for higher dining rewards
• Lyft partnership for bonus rideshare points
• Cell phone protection when the bill is paid with the card

Redemption Options:

Points can be used for travel bookings, rent credits, fitness classes, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, with a FICO score between 670 and 850.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

No welcome bonus and a requirement of five transactions per billing cycle may limit its appeal for some users.

Why it Works for Beginners:

With no annual fee and the ability to earn rewards on rent, it’s a practical entry-level card that helps renters build credit and earn points at the same time.