How to Activate a Credit Card (2024)

Key points:

When you activate your card, you are telling your card issuer that you received the card and that you’re ready to make purchases.
You can activate your credit card online, using a card issuer’s mobile app, or over the phone by calling the card issuer’s customer service number.
Once you activate the credit card you can use it right away.

After you open a new credit card account or renew an existing credit card, you'll receive a physical card in the mail. But before you can start using the new card to make purchases, you'll need to activate it.

Whether you complete your credit card activation over the phone, use your issuer’s website, or activate your new credit card through a mobile app that you download from the app store, you should activate the card right away.

Why do you have to activate your credit card?

When you activate your new card, you let your bank or credit card issuer know that you’ve received a card and that it’s in the hands of the correct person; this is a way to help prevent credit card fraud. You'll also need to activate a card if you requested a replacement card.

Since credit cards can get lost or stolen in the mail, the credit card activation process is an added security layer that helps ensure the new card is in the right hands.
See Also
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What happens if you never activate a credit card?

If you don’t activate a new card you receive, you typically won’t be able to use it to make purchases or earn rewards for those purchases. A retailer may decline your payment if you use a card that isn’t active. Though this may be inconvenient, it won’t impact your credit score.

It's important to activate credit cards when you receive them. Some credit card companies may contact you if you don’t activate a card within a certain period of time (usually 45-60 days). If you don’t activate within your credit issuer’s time limit, you may need to request a new card. If you wait too long, the card issuer may close the account.

How to activate your credit card by phone

One way to activate your credit card is by calling the number printed on the sticker attached to the front of your card (or in the letter that came with the card).

As a security measure, you might need to prove your identity and provide your date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number when you activate a new card. You'll also confirm card information, like the credit card number or account number that's printed on the card. This process is a way to verify you’re the person who both applied for and received your card.

As another layer of fraud protection, your credit card issuer might want you to activate your card by calling from the phone number on your card application. So, if you call to activate your card from a different number—such as your work phone, for example—you may need to provide additional information to verify your identity before the issuer will activate your card. In this case, the credit card company may also ask you to enter key codes sent to your email or SMS text to confirm your identity as a form of multi-step verification.

How to activate your credit card without calling the bank

A convenient option to activate your new credit card is to use your card issuer’s secure online portal or mobile banking app. This means you can activate the credit card without calling the bank help center or the customer service number.

How do you know if your credit card is active?

To confirm that the credit card is active and ready to use, call the phone number listed on the back of the card, check your online portal, or use the credit card issuers mobile app.

How soon after you activate your card can you use it?

In most cases, once you activate your new credit card you can use it right away. You’ll be able to use the card if the account is open and the card hasn’t expired.

If you activate the card but have a problem using it, call the number on the back of the card. With Discover, you get the real human customer service you deserve, 24/7. Any time you call 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683), you’ll be able to talk to a member of our customer service team. Certain specialized agents may not always be available, but our team is trained to provide the resources and direction you need to take the next steps.

Other considerations for credit card activation

You might find that you have a few special considerations when activating your credit cards:

Multiple users. If your new account has multiple users, every cardmember will need to activate their own card.
Multiple cards. If you receive several new credit cards, you can still activate them online. Remember that each card has a unique 3-digit code, so you must activate the cards individually.
For people who are blind or deaf. Most credit card companies offer tools to simplify the online credit card activation process for blind users, like a screen reader or vision-impaired profile. Review the accessibility statement provided by your card issuer to find out which accommodations are available for those who need it.
Customer service support. For users with cognitive disabilities that may need additional resources to activate a new card, consider calling the customer service number. This could include establishing an ADHD-friendly profile with your credit card company or obtaining additional support when activating a new card.

How do you apply for a credit card?

If you’re considering getting a credit card, a good first step is to check your credit score. This will help you determine your eligibility. Compare credit card offers that apply to customers with your credit rating and select the credit card that best meets your needs. Consider checking for prequalification options before you submit your application since every credit card application you submit results in a hard credit inquiry that could impact your credit score.

It can be a seamless process to activate your credit card. Credit card companies just want to know that the card has made it to the right person and that your personal information and other financial assets aren’t accessible to identity thieves.

When you receive your new credit card in the mail, activate it as soon as possible so you can begin using it.