Step By Step Guide To The Credit Card Application Process
Posted February 8th, 2010
Learn how simple it is to make a credit card application. Follow these easy steps to be fully prepared and gain the confidence that your application will be approved.
The credit card application process is a straightforward affair taking 10 to 15 minutes provided you have the required information to hand before you start. Whenever you click on the “Apply Now” page of any credit card website you will clearly see a warning that any period of fifteen to twenty minutes where your application is left inactive will cause your application to be scrubbed and any information already input to be lost. This is a security feature to make sure you don’t wander off and forget about your credit card application, leaving other people to view sensitive information you have left on-screen.
So, here’s how to get your online credit card application right:
Step One – Confirm your eligibility
Make certain that you are able to apply for the credit card you have chosen. Normally on the page prior to the application form itself you will always be asked to fulfil four requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must be a permanent Australian resident
- You must be earning a specified annual income
- You must have a good credit history
There may be additions to this, such as your eligibility as a non-permanent resident, but you will need to be earning a lot more in this case. Where permanent residents may need to be earning $15,000 a year, non-permanent residents may need to prove $50,000.
Step Two – Gather your information
The information required to complete the credit card application form will be listed on the same page as the eligibility criteria. Different credit cards require different information, but you you will generally be asked to have most or all of the following details available:
- Your personal details, including address and contact details
- Details of your driver’s licence, if you have one
- Previous address if less than a certain time at your current address
- Details of your employer, as listed in the White Pages
- Your accountant’s details, if self-employed
- Details of your income, assets and liabilities
Step Three – Fill in the gaps then review
Enter the relevant information into the correct places on the credit card application without making mistakes. Once completed, review to make sure you are happy.
Step Four – Read the Terms & Conditions then submit
Reading the Terms & Conditions is essential if you don’t want any surprises later on. You will be required to confirm you have read and understood them. Don’t just tick the box – read them.
A final word about online credit card applications … make sure the site is the genuine credit card website and that it is secured. You can verify this by looking for the locked blue padlock symbol bottom-right of your screen and for “https” at the start of the site’s web address, not just “http”.
Related posts:
- Step-by-Step Interest Maximisation Strategy
- Step-by-Step Home Loan Interest Minimisation Strategy
- The Online Credit Card Application Process
- St.George Vertigo MasterCard Application Guide
- HSBC Credit Card Application – Apply Online For A HSBC Credit Card
- Coles Source Credit Card Application
- St George Credit Card Application: Apply for A St George Credit Card Online
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