Does applying for a credit card and getting denied hurt your score?

Asked by: Maxwell Senger  |  Last update: May 4, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (39 votes)

A hard inquiry from a card application can cause a small, temporary drop in credit scores. A denial or approval won't hurt your credit scores, because decisions aren't reflected in credit reports. When making lending decisions, card issuers use credit reports and credit scores to determine creditworthiness.

Does getting rejected for a credit card affect your score?

Being denied for a credit card doesn't hurt your credit score. But the hard inquiry from submitting an application can cause your score to decrease. Submitting a credit card application and receiving notice that you're denied is a disappointment, especially if your credit score drops after applying.

How much does your credit score go down if you get rejected?

Fortunately, being rejected for a credit card won't lead to long-term damage to your credit score. The only potential impact on your score is the result of a hard inquiry on your credit report, which is added to your report each time you apply for a line of credit like a credit card or loan.

How much does your credit score drop when you apply for a credit card?

FICO explains that a single hard credit inquiry often lowers your credit score by less than 5 points. However, several hard inquiries in a short period may do more damage. Applying for multiple credit cards at once can show financial instability, making you seem like a risky borrower.

Does card declined affect your credit score?

No, denied credit applications won't appear on your credit report. Lenders don't report whether your applications were approved or denied because even approved applications don't necessarily result in a new account. Generally, if you're approved for a credit card, the card issuer will open the account automatically.

I Got Denied Credit with a 774 Credit Score! (What I Learned)

29 related questions found

How long should I wait to apply for a credit card after being denied?

It's a good idea to wait three to six months between credit card applications.

How many points does credit go down if denied for a credit card?

Key takeaways

Applying for a credit card temporarily hurts your credit score, but credit card denials don't affect your score. New credit requests account may only drop your score by a few points for about a year, but avoid applying to many cards at once so you don't appear risky to lenders.

Does cancelling a credit card hurt your credit?

Closing a credit card can hurt your credit, especially if it's a card you've had for years. An account closure can cause a temporary hit to your credit by increasing your credit utilization, lowering your average age of accounts and possibly limiting your credit mix.

How many points will I lose if I apply for a credit card?

According to FICO, a single hard inquiry will typically knock fewer than five points off your credit score. That said, inquiries remain on your credit report for two years, and if you apply for more than one card in a short period of time, those multiple inquiries can have a compounding negative effect.

How long does refused credit stay on file?

How long does refused credit stay on file? Two years. All enquiries for credit are removed from credit reports after two years, although credit rating agencies do not record whether an application for credit is refused or accepted.

Can you go to jail for low credit score?

You cannot be arrested or go to jail simply for having unpaid debt. In rare cases, if a debt collector sues you and you don't respond or appear in court, that could lead to arrest.

Can I apply for another credit card after being denied?

In practice, this means that it can be smart to wait a few weeks or months before applying for a new credit card after a denial. Several applications in a short time can make you look more risky to potential credit card issuers.

How bad does applying for a credit card hurt?

Key Takeaways. Applying for a new credit card will trigger a hard credit inquiry, which could cause your credit score to drop by a few points. Pre-qualifying for a credit card can help you determine your chances of approval without impacting your credit.

How many credit cards are too many?

Owning more than two or three credit cards can become unmanageable for many people. However, your credit needs and financial situation are unique, so there's no hard and fast rule about how many credit cards are too many. The important thing is to make sure that you use your credit cards responsibly.

How can I build my credit if I keep getting denied?

How To Build a Credit History
  1. Apply for a Secured Credit Card.
  2. Become an Authorized User.
  3. Find a Co-Signer.
  4. Use Store Credit Cards.
  5. Finance With Interest-Free Offers.
  6. Apply for a Credit-Builder Loan.
  7. Get Credit for Your Monthly Bills.

Is credit karma accurate?

Overall, Credit Karma may produce a different result than one or more of the three major credit bureaus directly. The slight differences in calculations between FICO and VantageScore can lead to significant variances in credit scores, making Credit Karma less accurate than most may appreciate.

How much does your credit score drop when you get denied?

The short answer is no. The lender's decision to approve or deny your card application makes no difference to your credit scores because credit reporting agencies only keep track of your open credit accounts. That said, your decision to apply for a credit card in the first place may drop your score by a few points.

How much is 1000 points in credit card?

1 (One) Reward Point is worth INR 0.25 (25 paise). Thus, 1000 Reward Points get you free shopping or cashback worth INR 500.

Is 750 a good credit score?

Is 750 a good credit score? A 750 credit score is considered excellent and above the average score in America. Your credit score helps lenders decide if you qualify for products like credit cards and loans, and your interest rate. A score of 750 puts you in a strong position.

Is it bad to have a lot of credit cards with zero balance?

Keeping a low credit utilization ratio is good, but having too many credit cards with zero balance may negatively impact your credit score. If your credit cards have zero balance for several years due to inactivity, your credit card issuer might stop sending account updates to credit bureaus.

Is it better to cut up a credit card or cancel it?

Typically, leaving your credit card accounts open is the best option, even if you're not using them. However, there are a few valid reasons for deciding to close an account.

What is a good credit score?

There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.

What happens if I apply for a credit card and get denied?

Does Getting Denied for a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score? By itself, a denied credit card application won't have any impact on your credit scores. However, every time you apply for any type of new credit, it results in a hard inquiry on your credit report.

Why did my credit score drop 100 points after getting a credit card?

When you open a new credit account, it lowers the overall age of your credit. In addition to the age of credit, opening up any new credit account generally requires a hard inquiry, which could ding your credit score a few points temporarily. After about two years, the inquiry should drop off.

How many hard inquiries are too many?

There's no such thing as “too many” hard credit inquiries, but multiple applications for new credit accounts within a short time frame may point to a risky borrower. Rate shopping for a particular loan, however, may be treated as a single inquiry and have minimal impact on your creditworthiness.