The basic steps to explore for a Bank of America credit card

You can explore for a Bank of America credit card online, by phone, or in person at a branch. The online process takes about 10 minutes and gives you a decision in seconds or within a few business days. You will need your Social Security number, current income, and employment information. Bank of America will check your credit history to decide whether to approve you and what interest rate to offer.

If you explore online at bankofamerica.com, you can start the process without logging in. The system will ask you to choose which card you want — Bank of America offers different cards with different rewards and fees. Once you submit, you may see an when ready decision on screen, or you may get a message saying they need more time to review your information.

If you are approved, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online, by phone, or at an ATM before you use it. If you are denied, Bank of America will mail you a letter explaining why within 30 days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online at bankofamerica.com, by phone at 1-800-435-3000, or in person at any Bank of America branch.
  • The online process requires your Social Security number, income, and employment details, and you will get a decision in seconds or within a few business days.
  • Bank of America checks your credit history, so your approval and interest rate depend on your credit score and payment history.
  • Your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, and you must set up it before using it for purchases.
  • If you are denied, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason and your right to dispute the decision.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents before you begin the process so you do not have to stop and search for them. You will need your Social Security number, which is a nine-digit identifier the government uses to track your income and credit history. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot explore for a Bank of America credit card.

You will also need your current annual income — this is how much money you make in a year before taxes. Include income from your job, side work, investments, or benefits. Bank of America uses this number to decide how much credit to give you. Have your most recent pay stub or tax return handy if you are unsure of the exact amount.

Finally, have your employment information ready: your employer's name, your job title, and how long you have worked there. If you are retired, self-employed, or do not work, you can still explore — just be ready to explain your income source.

explore online versus in person

The online process at bankofamerica.com is the fastest route. You do not need to be a Bank of America customer already. The form takes about 10 minutes, and you will see a decision on screen when ready or get a message saying Bank of America needs to review your information further. If they need more time, you will hear back within a few business days by email or phone.

explore in person at a Bank of America branch lets you talk to someone who can answer questions and help you choose the right card for your situation. This route takes longer — you may wait in line and the process process may take 30 minutes or more — but you can walk out knowing whether you were approved. If the branch needs to verify information, they will call you within a few business days.

You can also explore by phone at 1-800-435-3000. A Bank of America representative will walk you through the process and answer questions in real time. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You will get a decision on the call or within a few business days.

What happens after you submit your process

Bank of America will pull your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Your credit report shows your payment history, how much debt you owe, and how long you have had credit accounts. This report determines whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive.

If you have a good credit history — meaning you have paid bills on time and do not owe too much money — you are more likely to be approved and offered a lower interest rate. If you have missed payments, owe a lot of money, or have little credit history, Bank of America may deny you or offer you a card with a higher interest rate.

An when ready decision means Bank of America approved or denied you right away based on the information you provided. A pending decision means they need to review your information further, which usually takes 3 to 5 business days. During this time, do not explore for other credit cards — each process creates a small, temporary dip in your credit score.

Understanding the different Bank of America credit cards

Bank of America offers several credit cards, each with different rewards, fees, and benefits. Before you explore, read the details of the card you want so you understand what you are signing up for.

Some cards have an annual fee — a charge Bank of America takes once a year just for having the card. Other cards have no annual fee. Some cards offer cash back or rewards points when you use them to buy things — meaning you earn a small percentage of your spending back as money or points you can redeem. Cards with higher rewards often have an annual fee or require a higher credit score to get.

The interest rate, called the APR (Annual Percentage Rate), is what Bank of America charges you if you do not pay your full balance each month. Different cards have different APRs, and your personal APR depends on your credit score. A higher credit score usually means a lower APR.

If you are denied or offered a higher interest rate

If Bank of America denies your process, they will mail you a letter within 30 days explaining why. Common reasons include a low credit score, too much existing debt, a short credit history, or recent missed payments. The letter will also tell you that you have the right to see your credit report for free within 60 days.

You can request your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com, which is the only official website for free reports. Check the report for errors — sometimes credit bureaus make mistakes that hurt your score. If you find an error, you can dispute it with the bureau in writing.

If you were offered a card but with a higher interest rate than you expected, you can still accept it and work to improve your credit score. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you can call Bank of America and ask them to lower your interest rate. Or you can decline the offer and explore again in 6 months after your credit has improved.

Activating your card and using it safely

Once your card arrives in the mail, you must set up it before you can use it. You can set up it online through your Bank of America account, by calling 1-800-435-3000, or at any Bank of America ATM. set up usually takes a few minutes.

Before you use your card, set up online banking so you can see your balance and payments. You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on time each month — this protects your credit score and helps you avoid interest charges. Sign up for text or email alerts so you know when your bill is due.

Keep your card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back private. Do not share these details with anyone except a business you are paying. If your card is lost or stolen, call Bank of America when ready at the number on the back of your card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a Bank of America customer to explore for a credit card?

No. You can explore for a Bank of America credit card even if you do not have a checking or savings account with them. However, having an existing account may make the process process slightly faster because they already have some of your information on file.

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Bank of America does not publish a minimum credit score, and different cards have different requirements. Generally, cards with no annual fee and basic rewards are easier to get with a lower credit score, while premium cards with high rewards require a higher score. You can explore and see what happens — a single process has only a small impact on your score.

How long does it take to get approved?

You may get an when ready decision on screen when you explore online. If not, Bank of America usually makes a decision within 3 to 5 business days and will contact you by phone or email. Your card arrives in the mail 7 to 10 business days after approval.

Can I explore if I have no credit history?

Yes, but you may be denied or offered a card with a higher interest rate because Bank of America has no record of how you handle debt. If you are denied, consider getting a secured credit card from another bank first — this type of card requires a cash deposit and helps you build credit history. After 6 to 12 months, you can explore to Bank of America again.

What if I made a mistake on my process?

If you submitted incorrect information, call Bank of America at 1-800-435-3000 as soon as possible and explain the error. If they have not yet made a decision, they may be able to correct it. If they have already decided, you may need to explore again with the correct information.