Checking your pre-qualified credit card offers can be an excellent way to explore attractive new bonuses and benefits without immediately impacting your credit score. Many major issuers like Indigo allow you to easily see if you may qualify for one of their top rewards cards through a “soft” credit check that does not create a hard inquiry on your report. If you do pre-qualify, you can take time to review the details before submitting a full application.
Pre-qualification provides a valuable look into your approval odds and a preview of the specific terms you may be able to access. While the pre-qualified offers are not a guarantee of approval, meeting the qualifications does mean you can generally expect a high likelihood of approval if you do formally apply. That makes it appealing to jump on pre-qualified offers that provide strong bonuses and benefits you have been seeking for your financial situation.
This guide will walk through the key steps of navigating Indigo’s pre-qualification process to find the best offers available. We will also look at important factors that impact your pre-qualification status, how pre-qualified offers compare to standard public offers, and what to expect after submitting a full application. Following best practices can help you maximize the value of your new card and benefits while also continuing to build your credit profile over the long term.
What is Credit Card Pre-Qualification?
Before getting into the specifics of pre-qualifying for Indigo cards, it helps to understand exactly how the pre-qualification process works and how it differs from a standard application and credit check process.
Pre-qualification relies on a soft credit check, which lets the bank or credit card issuer review your credit report without creating a hard inquiry. Soft checks are visible only to you and have no impact on your credit score. That differs from a hard credit check that creditors perform when you submit a full application, which does show up on your report and may cause a small temporary drop in your score.
Banks use the soft check pre-qualification process to give you an initial assessment of whether you may qualify for one of their cards based on your credit profile and other qualifications. If the soft check indicates you are a good match for a given card, the issuer will provide a pre-qualified offer for you to review.
Being pre-qualified does not guarantee approval, but it is a strong indicator that you would likely get approved if completing the full application. Pre-approval is an even stronger preliminary decision, as it means you are guaranteed approval as long as you still meet the credit, income and identity verification requirements at the time of final submission.
You typically access pre-qualified offers by checking with the issuer directly on their website, through credit card recommendation services that showcase pre-qualified offers, or through pre-screened mail and email promotions. You can review your personalized pre-qualified terms before submitting a formal application.
Benefits of Pre-Qualifying for the Indigo Card
Checking your pre-qualified status for Indigo credit cards provides several potential benefits:
- Preview your approval odds – The pre-qualification process gives you an advanced look at your likelihood of approval for Indigo cards without having to submit an application and trigger a hard credit check right away. If the pre-qualification check does not show any offers, you know that you may need to build your credit profile further before applying.
- Access special terms – Pre-qualified offers sometimes have enhanced signup bonuses, introductory APR offers, or other benefits that go beyond publicly available promotions. Issuers will extend special perks to incentivize customers whom they pre-qualify.
- Avoid unnecessary hard checks – Only submit a full application and hard credit check when you have reviewed a pre-qualified offer and are confident you want to accept it. This avoids unnecessary credit checks that would happen if you apply broadly to see what you might get approved for.
- Take time reviewing options – Getting pre-qualified allows you to take a considered approach and think through whether the card fits your needs before completing an application. You can compare pre-qualified offers to public offers.
- Establish new relationship – Pre-qualification provides a way to start a new card relationship with issuers like Indigo even if you have not had an account with them previously. The pre-qualification check focuses on your overall creditworthiness.
While pre-qualification has advantages, keep in mind it is not a guarantee of approval. Be sure to verify you still meet all requirements at the time you submit a full application. Also, pre-qualified offers are not always better than public promotions. So compare details carefully to identify the best fit.
How to Check for Indigo Pre-Qualified Offers
There are several channels to consider checking to see if you have any current pre-qualified offers from Indigo:
- Check Indigo’s website – Most issuers have a pre-qualification section that runs a soft check using your identifying info.
- Review sites showcasing offers – Many credit education sites also curate pre-qualified offers and can check your status.
- Look for Indigo mail offers – Solicitations sent to your address may reference pre-qualified status.
- Check your email – Some digital Indigo offers accessible through email links indicate pre-qualification.
- Compare to public offers – Verify that pre-qualified terms are better than general public promotions.
Let’s explore each of these channels in more detail so you understand the full range of options to uncover the best Indigo offers available.
Navigating the Pre-Qualification Process
Now that we’ve covered the basics of credit card pre-qualification and ways to access offers, let’s walk through best practices for navigating the process specifically with Indigo.
Checking Your Pre-Qualified Offers on Indigo’s Website
The most direct approach is to check Indigo’s website for pre-qualified offers. Here is a step-by-step overview:
- Create an online account on Indigo’s website if you don’t yet have one. This allows them to match your identity for the soft credit check.
- Look for the “Check for Pre-Qualified Offers” link in the credit cards section of your account. This is typically accessible without logging in.
- Enter your name, address, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your SSN when prompted. This allows the soft credit check.
- If you have any current pre-qualified offers, you will see card names and details. Click to view the offer specifics.
- Verify the bonus, fee, APR, and other terms are attractive before proceeding to apply.
The pre-qualification process through the issuer is the most direct and credible since it represents real-time offers based on your profile. The terms shown reflect what you can access, assuming you meet income and identity verification.
Finding Indigo Pre-Qualified Offers on Credit Sites
In addition to checking directly with the issuer, many third-party credit education and card recommendation sites also showcase pre-qualified offers. These sites can check your pre-qualified status for cards from multiple different issuers, including Indigo.
Here is how you can review Indigo pre-qualified card offers through third-party sites:
- Browse reputable credit sites like Credit Karma and NerdWallet and look for credit card recommendation tools.
- Create a free account if required to view personalized recommendations and check for pre-qualified offer status.
- When entering your information, opt-in for the credit check needed to reveal available pre-qualified offers.
- Review the recommended cards, looking for the Indigo pre-qualification badge to identify offers.
- Click through to view details on the specific bonuses, rates, and fees that come with the Indigo pre-qualified offer.
- Verify the details match up with real offers by checking Indigo’s site directly.
While these sites provide a convenient central place to check pre-qualified offers from multiple issuers, be sure to confirm the specifics by checking directly with the issuer, in this case, Indigo. This ensures you have the latest real-time view of the offer terms.
Responding to Indigo Mail and Email Offers
In addition to proactively checking sites for pre-qualified offers, you may receive special Indigo offers directly via mail or email:
- Physical pre-screened mail offers for Indigo cards will reference your pre-qualified status. There is typically a code or link to submit to view terms.
- Email offers may also indicate if you are pre-qualified and provide a link to click through to see details.
- When accessing terms from a mail or email invitation, pay close attention to the rates, fees, and bonus requirements.
- As always, verify the specifics by checking for the same offer on Indigo’s website directly.
Don’t assume mail and email offers represent the best you may qualify for. Explore other channels as well to compare and find the optimal offer to proceed with.
Comparing Pre-Qualified and Public Offers
An important best practice when reviewing Indigo pre-qualified card offers is to compare them to standard public offers available widely. Pre-qualified terms are not always better than what is publicly available, so you have to compare:
- Look at the bonus value – Is the pre-qualified bonus higher or lower?
- Check the interest rates – Does the APR beat public offers?
- Review annual fees – Are they waiving or discounting first-year fees?
- Read fine print – Are there key differences in expirations, eligibility, etc?
- Weigh benefits – Do the perks and rewards justify getting the card?
Don’t assume pre-qualified necessarily means better with Indigo. Take the time to verify you are getting the best offer available by comparing directly to public terms.
Key Factors that Impact Pre-Qualification
When checking for pre-qualified offers, keep in mind that several factors impact whether you will see approvals and what kind of terms you may receive. Checking your eligibility frequently and building your profile can help access better offers.
Credit Score Requirements
The most basic factor is meeting the minimum credit score requirement for a given card. For mainstream cards from Indigo, you may only need a FICO in the mid-600s to qualify. But for premium or rewards cards, the threshold is often 700+ or higher.
If you don’t see pre-qualified offers, or only for entry-level cards, it’s a sign you may need to build your credit profile further before qualifying for better offers. Keep making on-time payments, lowering utilization, and pursuing credit-building strategies.
Card-Specific Requirements
Beyond your credit report and scores, pre-qualification decisions also consider qualifications specific to each product. For example, some cards may look at your income, account balances or assets.
Factors like having an existing banking relationship with Indigo may help. But you can get pre-qualified with Indigo even without a prior account. Focus on meeting all the requirements for your desired card.
Previous Relationship with Indigo
Not having an existing relationship generally won’t disqualify you from Indigo pre-qualified offers if your credit profile is strong. However having other accounts with Indigo may increase the odds of pre-qualification, especially for premium cards intended for account holders.
Make sure to check for Indigo pre-qualified offers regardless of whether you have an account currently. The focus is on approving new customers who meet credit standards. An existing customer boost is just an incremental advantage.
Pre-Qualified Card Offer Considerations
If you do receive one or more pre-qualified offers from Indigo, here are some key factors to evaluate as you determine which card best fits your needs and provides the most value:
Signup Bonus Value
A major benefit of pre-qualified offers is they sometimes come with higher signup bonuses than the public offers available. Compare the dollar value of the bonus between different pre-qualified Indigo offers and against public promotions.
Signup bonuses can range from $100 to $500 or more in value for Indigo cards. Look for the highest bonus within your desired category of card.
Interest Rates
Pre-qualified offers may have special introductory APR offers like 0% for 12-18 months that are lower than publicly advertised rates. This can save substantially on interest for big purchases.
But don’t assume the ongoing purchase APR is lower. Unless noted, expect the standard purchase and transfer rates to align with public offers. Focus on promotional intro rates.
Fees
Most pre-qualified offers will not waive annual fees altogether – those still apply. But you may see discounted first-year fees or other fee perks. For hotel and airline cards, look for waived baggage or companion fees.
Also, expect balance transfer and cash advance fees to align with public fee schedules. Read through all footnotes related to fees carefully before applying.
Critical Terms
Be sure to evaluate all other card terms, like the length of 0% intro APR periods, transfer limits, and expenditure requirements for bonuses. Check for differences from the standard public offer terms.
Also, confirm the credit line you are likely to receive will be sufficient for your spending needs. This is especially important for large purchases or balances you plan to transfer over.
Applying for an Indigo Card After Pre-Qualification
Once you’ve determined the best Indigo pre-qualified offer for your needs, here is what to expect when moving forward with the full application:
Submitting the Full Application
When ready to apply, you can complete the application through the pre-qualified offer link or directly on Indigo’s website. Be sure to provide accurate information throughout the application. Incorrect details can delay verification and processing. Expect to verify income, employment, and identity.
Double-check all submitted information before authorizing the credit check. After submission, you cannot withdraw the application to avoid the hard inquiry.
Handling the Hard Credit Check
Submitting the official application triggers a hard credit check, which does appear on your credit reports. This may cause a small temporary drop in your scores. But for most profiles, the impact is minor and fades quickly.
If you are rate-shopping mortgages or auto loans, try to bundle those credit checks within a focused window rather than spreading them out. This minimizes score impact.
Receiving Instant Approval Decision
Many applicants receive an instant decision during the online application process. If you are instantly approved, you can proceed to account setup and begin using your new card when received.
If the decision is delayed for further verification, you will be notified by email within a few days at most. Delayed decisions still tend to end in approval if you pre-qualified.
Following Up if Declined
There is still a chance your application will be declined even if pre-qualified, especially if your profile changed after pre-qualification. If this happens, you can call reconsideration for additional review.
If reconsideration does not overturn the denial, the adverse action notice you receive will explain the reasons behind the denial. Use this to continue strengthening your credit standing and address any issues before reapplying.
Maintaining Good Credit Habits Post-Approval
Once approved for a new Indigo credit card after pre-qualifying, be sure to maintain responsible credit habits to get the most from your new account. Here are some best practices:
- Pay on time consistently – Set up autopay or payment reminders to never miss a due date. Payment history is vital for your credit scores.
- Keep utilization low – Using more than 30% of your limit can hurt credit, so pay balances down aggressively each month.
- Minimize credit checks – Avoid opening multiple new accounts in a short period to limit hard inquiries.
- Monitor your credit report – Review all three bureau reports annually for errors to dispute.
- Retain old accounts if possible – Keeping length of credit history helps your score unless an annual fee is no longer worth it.
Building healthy long-term credit habits allows you to fully leverage the value of your new Indigo card and the benefits you earned through the pre-qualification process. Monitoring your profile periodically also ensures you continue receiving strong pre-qualified offers for future opportunities.