Check if you're eligible for a credit card
QuickCheck is our free credit card eligibility checker. It'll help you find out if you'll be accepted for a Capital One credit card, without affecting your credit score.
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Check to see if you'll be accepted, for free
Get a straight yes or no in 60 seconds
Checking won't leave a mark on your credit file
Am I eligible for a credit card?
If you want to take out a new credit card, you'll need to meet the lender's eligibility criteria. At Capital One, our application criteria include that you must be at least 18 years old and live in the UK. We'll also consider your credit history and whether you can afford your repayments before we accept you as a customer.
Before applying, you should complete a credit card eligibility check. QuickCheck is our free online credit card eligibility checker, designed to help you find out if you'll be accepted for one of our credit cards.
Why do a credit card eligibility check?
Each time you apply for a credit card, it leaves a mark on your report that other credit card providers can see. Too many of these marks in a short space of time can reduce your chances of being accepted for a new credit card.
That's where QuickCheck comes in. This runs a soft search, so you'll know if you're accepted before applying. And, crucially, it won't impact your credit score.
How does our credit card eligibility checker work?
To check your eligibility for a Capital One credit card, just tell us a few details about yourself and your finances. We'll do the rest.
1
Head to QuickCheck and answer a few questions, like what you do for a living and where you live.
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Using your details, we'll do a soft search of your credit file to make sure it matches up.
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You'll get a 100% guaranteed yes or no within 60 seconds. This means you'll know for certain if you'll be accepted before applying.
Over 4 million people have already been preapproved for a Capital One credit card after using QuickCheck.
How do you use my information?
To check your eligibility for our credit cards, we'll ask you for a few details. We'll use these to run a soft check of your credit report to confirm the information you've given us. Then we can give you a definite answer before you apply.
When you use QuickCheck, we'll only use the details you've given us to see if we can accept you. Find out more about how we take care of your personal information on our privacy policy.
I've used QuickCheck. What happens next?
After you've used QuickCheck to check your eligibility for a credit card, we'll give you a clear yes or no.
If it's a 'yes', we'll show you the cards you're eligible for and the credit limit we could offer you. You can go ahead and apply for a credit card from Capital One, knowing you'll be accepted. You may need to give us more information, but you won't need to re-enter the personal details you've already provided.
When you apply for a balance transfer credit card, we'll need you to tell us about the credit or store card you'll be transferring a balance from, including the amount.
If you get a 'no' from our credit card eligibility checker, it's because a Capital One card might not be right for you now. But it doesn't mean that will always be the case.
Why should I use Capital One's credit card eligibility checker?
If you're searching for a new card, QuickCheck is a handy way to find one.
Won't affect your credit score
We only run a soft search when you use QuickCheck. So, no matter what the result is, your credit score won't be affected.
Shows you the cards you're eligible for
Get a 'yes' when you check your eligibility for a credit card and you'll get clear options; from our Classic Card to our Balance Transfer Card , with a limit of up to £8,000 starting credit.
Get an answer in 60 seconds
Find out if you're eligible for credit within a minute. Then you can get on with making important financial decisions.
Peace of mind when you apply
Our eligibility checker ensures you know for certain if you'll get a 'yes'. So you can have 100% confidence when you apply.
Credit card eligibility check FAQS
How can I improve my chances of being accepted?
If you use our credit card eligibility checker and the answer you get isn't the one you hoped for, there are things you can do to help in future.
Once you know your credit score, there are a few things you can do to start improving it, such as registering to vote. This proves you're a real person based at a UK address. Being familiar with your credit file is also important so you can spot any errors. Contacting the credit agencies and getting any incorrect information on your credit file fixed will improve your chances of becoming eligible for a credit card.
Am I eligible for a credit card if I have bad credit?
We know people worry about past problems with credit and how it might affect their credit card eligibility. But even if you don't have a spotless credit history, it doesn't mean you won't be approved for a credit card.
At Capital One, you could be accepted for one of our credit cards for bad credit if you're over 18 and live in the UK. But use our credit card eligibility checker first.
How does checking credit card eligibility affect my credit score?
When you check your eligibility for a credit card with us, your score isn't affected. This is because we run a soft credit check instead of a hard check. This means we're just confirming your identity and getting a general overview of your credit health.
When you apply for a credit card with us, we'll run a hard credit check. This is to evaluate whether we should approve your application. This hard check looks at your full credit history and shows us how you manage debt. Any hard checks stay on your credit file for up to 24 months, so it's important to make the most of running credit card eligibility checks, as these don't stay on your file ahead of applying.
What information is needed to check if I am eligible for a credit card?
When you use QuickCheck, you'll be asked a few questions. These cover your personal details, such as your full name, address and date of birth. We'll also ask for your contact details. Then you'll be asked for information about your work, income and outgoings.
This is to get a clear picture of your current financial situation. We can then make a decision whether you would be approved for a credit card when you apply with us.
Does having dependents affect credit card eligibility?
One of the questions you're asked when you check your eligibility is how many dependents you have. This includes children, parents or anyone else who relies on you for things like money or food. Dependents can increase your household expenses, which impacts the way you manage debt and your credit score.
Lenders need an idea of how you manage debt to know if you're a suitable candidate for a credit card.
What credit cards am I eligible for?
Once you answer all the questions we ask as part of the QuickCheck process, we'll let you know whether you'd get a 'yes' when you apply for credit cards with us.
What credit score do I need for a credit card?
There isn't a single credit score that guarantees approval for a credit card. However, if your score is classed as 'good' or better by the three main credit referencing agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), you're in a good position to be approved.
While each lender has its own criteria, the information you provide for an eligibility check for a credit card will give you an idea of what lenders generally need to decide if you're likely to be accepted.
How long is an eligibility check valid for?
The results of your eligibility check reflect where your finances are on the day you run the check. As time passes, that outcome is less likely to be accurate, especially if you take out other forms of credit, such as a bank loan or car finance, as these changes can affect your credit score.
So if it's been a few weeks since you last ran a check, try again to get up-to-date, accurate results.