How Bank of America Credit Card Requests Work
Bank of America handles credit card requests through their website, by phone, or in person at a branch. When you request a card, Bank of America checks your credit report and financial history to decide whether to approve you. The process usually takes a few minutes online or by phone, though some requests take longer if the bank needs more information from you.
The bank offers several card types — rewards cards, cash back cards, travel cards, and basic cards — each with different features and requirements. Your credit score, income, and existing Bank of America accounts affect which cards the bank will consider for you. Pre-approval means Bank of America has already reviewed some of your information and believes you may meet the requirements for a specific card, but the final decision comes after you request it formally.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America requests can be completed online in minutes, by phone, or at a branch, and the bank will tell you the decision when ready or within a few business days.
- You will need your Social Security number, income information, and employment details to complete a request.
- Bank of America checks your credit report as part of the request process, which may lower your credit score slightly for a short time.
- If the bank declines your request, you can ask why and may be able to request a different card type or reapply later.
What You Need Before You Request
Gather your Social Security number, current income, and employment information before you start. Bank of America will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and phone number. Have your most recent tax return or pay stub available if you need to verify income — the bank may ask for this information during the request process.
If you already have a Bank of America checking or savings account, have your account number ready. Existing customers sometimes see faster decisions because the bank already has some of your financial information on file. If you do not have an account with Bank of America, you can still request a credit card, but the process may take slightly longer.
Requesting Online Through Bank of America's Website
Go to bankofamerica.com and look for the credit cards section. You will see a list of available cards with descriptions of rewards, fees, and features. Click on the card you want to request, then select "Request Now" or a similar button. The bank will walk you through a form asking for your personal information, income, and employment details.
The online form usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Bank of America will show you the decision when ready after you submit — either approved, declined, or pending further review. If the decision is pending, the bank will contact you by phone or email within a few business days. Keep your confirmation number from the request in case you need to follow up.
Requesting by Phone or at a Branch
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to request a credit card over the phone. A representative will ask the same questions as the online form and can answer questions about different card types while you are on the call. Phone requests take about 15 minutes, and you will usually hear the decision before you hang up.
You can also visit a Bank of America branch in person and request a card at the desk. A banker can show you the different card options, explain the rewards and fees, and submit your request while you are there. In-person requests are useful if you have questions about which card fits your spending habits or if you want to open a checking account at the same time.
What Happens After You Request
If Bank of America approves your request, the bank will mail your card to the address on file, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up the card online, by phone, or through the Bank of America mobile app as soon as it arrives. Some cards offer a temporary digital card number you can use online when ready while you wait for the physical card.
If the bank declines your request, you will receive a letter explaining the reason — usually related to credit history, income, or existing debt. You can request a different card type if one is available, or wait several months before requesting again. Each request the bank reviews will show up on your credit report as a hard inquiry, so spacing out requests several months apart is better than requesting multiple cards in a short time.
Understanding the Credit Check
Bank of America will pull your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This is called a hard inquiry and will appear on your credit report for up to two years. A hard inquiry may lower your credit score by a few points, but the impact is usually small and temporary if you have otherwise good credit habits.
The bank looks at your credit score, payment history, amount of existing debt, and how long you have had credit accounts open. If your credit score is below 600, Bank of America is unlikely to approve a rewards card but may approve a basic card. If you have recent late payments or high debt relative to your income, the bank may decline or offer you a card with a lower credit limit.
If Your Request Is Declined or Pending
A pending decision means Bank of America needs more information before deciding. The bank will contact you by phone or email with instructions — usually asking you to verify income with a pay stub or tax return, or to confirm your employment. Respond to the bank's request as soon as you can, because pending decisions sometimes expire if you do not reply within a certain time frame.
If your request is declined, you can call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask a representative to explain the specific reason. Some reasons are temporary — a recent late payment or a job change — and you may have better results requesting again in 6 to 12 months. Other reasons, like very low credit score, may mean you should focus on building credit before requesting again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hear back from Bank of America after I request?
Online and phone requests usually show a decision when ready or within a few minutes. Some requests are marked pending and take 1 to 3 business days while the bank reviews additional information. Once approved, the physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, though some cards offer a temporary digital number you can use right away.
Will requesting a Bank of America credit card hurt my credit score?
The hard inquiry from the request will lower your score slightly, usually by a few points, and the impact fades over time. Multiple requests in a short period can have a larger effect, so space out requests by several months if you are considering more than one card. Approved accounts that you use responsibly will help your score over time.
Can I request a credit card if I do not have a Bank of America account?
Yes, you can request a credit card without an existing Bank of America account. However, customers with checking or savings accounts sometimes see faster decisions because the bank already has some financial information on file. You can open a checking account and request a credit card at the same time if you visit a branch.
What should I do if Bank of America declines my request?
Call the bank and ask why the request was declined — the reason will help you decide next steps. If the reason is temporary, like a recent late payment, waiting 6 to 12 months and requesting again may work. If the reason is low credit score, focus on paying bills on time and reducing debt before requesting again.
Can I request a different card if my first request is declined?
Yes, you can request a different card type, though each request will show as a hard inquiry on your credit report. Bank of America may approve you for a basic card even if a rewards card was declined. Ask the bank which card type might be a better fit based on the reason for the decline.