So far in this series you’ve learned how to evaluate your credit card needs, find credit card offers, and narrow down your credit card options. After narrowing down credit card offers to a single card that you’d like to use, it’s time to apply for that credit card. We’ll cover several ways you can apply for a new card, and why it’s a good idea not to send out too many credit card applications.

The Importance of Limiting Credit Card Applications

It might sound easier to just skip over the previous step in choosing a credit card — narrowing down the handful of offers you’re considering to a single card worth applying for. Why not just apply for five, and see which card(s) you get approved for? It will affect your credit file. That’s why.

As we’ve pointed out before, every time a credit card company makes an enquiry about your credit history, that enquiry stays in your credit file for several years. If you apply for one card, only one enquiry shows up there. If you apply for five cards, then you’ll have five enquiries in your credit file. Too many enquiries can make you appear desperate to attain a credit line, and it can make you look like a bigger credit risk (potentially leading to loan or credit card denials).

How to Apply for a Credit Card Offer

Now that you’ve narrowed down your options to a single credit card and you understand why it’s a good idea to apply only for one card at a time, let’s talk about how to apply. You have a few options:

1. You can visit an “apply now” link on a credit card comparison site like ours. If you used a comparison site to find and compare offers, you should already have access to this page. You’ll then be directed to the appropriate bank site to fill out your online application.

2. You can visit the bank’s site manually (you might already have that Web address if you took a manual approach to finding credit card offers).

3. You might be able to apply over the telephone. You can find that information and the phone number from the bank’s website (or from a print ad if that’s how you came across the offer).

4. You can probably print and fill out a hard copy application to send to the bank through the post if you really prefer. However, online credit card applications will give you quicker results and they’re well-secured.

Ideally you’ll be approved for the card that you really want. Don’t forget though — every credit card has its own eligibility requirements. Just because it sounds like the perfect card for you doesn’t mean the bank feels the same way about your situation being right for them. Before filling out and submitting a credit card application, look for any additional terms that might be included there. One common example is a minimum annual salary requirement to be eligible for approval. Always make sure you’re eligible before taking the time to apply.