Instant use credit card with welcome bonus?

TazCaz

Does anyone know if there is currently a credit card with a welcome bonus (cashback, supermarket points, gift card etc) that can be used instantly (without having to wait for a physically card by adding it to Apple wallet for example)? Looking to purchase flights in the next 48 hours, so thought it’s a good opportunity to meet the minimum required to obtain a bonus. Would want to cancel without penalty as soon as the minimum spend was met so ideally a card without a up front annual fee also. 

flaneurs_lobster

I can think of a couple of bank accounts whose debit cards are available virtually(!) instantly but don't think I've ever come across a CC that allows spend the same way. I suspect that it would be deemed too much of a security risk not to send a physical card to an actual address and then have it activated using the CVV on an account that has been pre-vetted. You are not getting that CVV by any means other than on the back of the physical card.

There's also the usual security feature that a card has to be used with the PIN in a physical reader before it'll work contactlessly but that may not stop it being added to a digital wallet.

CliveOfIndia

I think you'd be struggling to apply for and be accepted for a card and have the card activated in that time-frame.

Aside from which, what's your credit history like?  If you've got a fairly thin file (not much existing credit, no existing credit cards, etc.), it's possible that you'd find you're only eligible for credit-builder type cards - which don't usually offer rewards.

If you've got a trusted friend or family member who has a rewards card, you could maybe ask them to pay using their card, you pay them the money then split the cashback or whatever between you?  Though you'd then lose any S75 protection, if that matters to you.

Emmia

I got a replacement Barclaycard instantly which was usable in Google pay a few years ago when my card was lost - but I was an existing customer, not seeking to open a new card. 

Ultimately though the key thing is which provider(s) will give you a card in the first place - it's all very well a provider offering instant card details, but that's no good if they won't give you a card. 

MyRealNameToo

flaneurs_lobster said:

I can think of a couple of bank accounts whose debit cards are available virtually(!) instantly but don't think I've ever come across a CC that allows spend the same way. I suspect that it would be deemed too much of a security risk not to send a physical card to an actual address and then have it activated using the CVV on an account that has been pre-vetted. You are not getting that CVV by any means other than on the back of the physical card.

There's also the usual security feature that a card has to be used with the PIN in a physical reader before it'll work contactlessly but that may not stop it being added to a digital wallet.

With most CCs you can add it using the physical card or can add it via the app in which case you dont need the physical card to do so. I can't see why it's any more or less a security risk than a debit card. 

Zable allows you to add a new credit card instantly to Apple Wallet. I am sure one card I got recently did too which would likely point to MBNA or Barclaycard but can't say for certain which it was

flaneurs_lobster

MyRealNameToo said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

I can think of a couple of bank accounts whose debit cards are available virtually(!) instantly but don't think I've ever come across a CC that allows spend the same way. I suspect that it would be deemed too much of a security risk not to send a physical card to an actual address and then have it activated using the CVV on an account that has been pre-vetted. You are not getting that CVV by any means other than on the back of the physical card.

There's also the usual security feature that a card has to be used with the PIN in a physical reader before it'll work contactlessly but that may not stop it being added to a digital wallet.

With most CCs you can add it using the physical card or can add it via the app in which case you dont need the physical card to do so. I can't see why it's any more or less a security risk than a debit card. 

Zable allows you to add a new credit card instantly to Apple Wallet. I am sure one card I got recently did too which would likely point to MBNA or Barclaycard but can't say for certain which it was

Think being able to add the new card to Apple/Google Wallet is irrelevant to OP's needs, they just need the card details to book some flights.

Agreed that credit card details usually appear in their respective apps but are these details available (and are any such details useable to fund purchases) before the physical card has been received and activated?

Do see that Zable does allow instant use via the virtual wallets, but it's a niche credit builder product, is unlikely to give a sufficient credit limit for significant travel spend and certainly does not come with any perks or cashback.

MyRealNameToo

flaneurs_lobster said:

MyRealNameToo said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

I can think of a couple of bank accounts whose debit cards are available virtually(!) instantly but don't think I've ever come across a CC that allows spend the same way. I suspect that it would be deemed too much of a security risk not to send a physical card to an actual address and then have it activated using the CVV on an account that has been pre-vetted. You are not getting that CVV by any means other than on the back of the physical card.

There's also the usual security feature that a card has to be used with the PIN in a physical reader before it'll work contactlessly but that may not stop it being added to a digital wallet.

With most CCs you can add it using the physical card or can add it via the app in which case you dont need the physical card to do so. I can't see why it's any more or less a security risk than a debit card. 

Zable allows you to add a new credit card instantly to Apple Wallet. I am sure one card I got recently did too which would likely point to MBNA or Barclaycard but can't say for certain which it was

Think being able to add the new card to Apple/Google Wallet is irrelevant to OP's needs, they just need the card details to book some flights.

Agreed that credit card details usually appear in their respective apps but are these details available (and are any such details useable to fund purchases) before the physical card has been received and activated?

Do see that Zable does allow instant use via the virtual wallets, but it's a niche credit builder product, is unlikely to give a sufficient credit limit for significant travel spend and certainly does not come with any perks or cashback.

If its in Apple Wallet then they can book some flights, either via using one of the agents that accept ApplePay or by using the details of the virtual card in the wallet which shows all the details of the virtual card inc CVV. Virtual cards actually have different details to the physical card but the issuers clearly link the two in the backend. 

I mention Zable simply because they advertise its instance use but as mentioned either MBNA or Barclaycard also allowed it... if I had to put money on it then Id say Barclaycard but not 100%. Whichever it was I spent on it 5 minutes later just to see having not had the option previously as far as I remember. Note however I have had barclaycards in the past before so this may influence their decisions, never had MBNA before though.

mta999

lloyds ultra (from memory) was usable instantly as all card details were instantly visible in the app

virgo17

mta999 said:

lloyds ultra (from memory) was usable instantly as all card details were instantly visible in the app

I concur with the above with regard to the Lloyds Ultra.. All info was available, including CVV, as an existing customer using the app. Used it immediately on line.

flaneurs_lobster

Be good if OP could come back and tell us if they managed to acquire a card for their imminent purchase.