Does the Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account Preapprove? Solved

Short Answer

Fingerhut sends preapproval notices to individuals with a good chance of approval for the Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account. However, it does not allow you to check if you’re preapproved before applying online. Below, we’ve outlined the details of the Fingerhut preapproval and application process.

Fingerhut Preapproval Process

Fingerhut sends preapproval notices for its Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account; if you receive one, it means that you have a high chance of approval when you apply for the credit account. Fingerhut is backed by WebBank, which may do soft-pull credit checks to see who meets eligibility criteria.

Note that Fingerhut does not offer a way for you to request preapproval online. You are only preapproved if you receive a notice from Fingerhut. Additionally, preapproval is not a guarantee of approval; you still have to apply and qualify for the Fingerhut Advantage account after you receive a preapproval notice.

To obtain this information, we checked the application details on Fingerhut’s website and spoke to customer service representatives.

Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account Application

You can apply for Fingerhut credit whether or not you are preapproved, so there is no need to wait for a preapproval notice. To apply, you’ll need to provide your address and phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, and income information. You must be at least 18 years old. Approval may be immediate, but it may take up to ten days to receive your card once you are approved.

FreshStart Installment Loan

If you don’t qualify for the Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account, the same application will automatically consider you for a Fingerhut FreshStart Installment Loan (which requires a deposit of $30 or more).

If you qualify for the installment loan, you may be able to upgrade to the Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account in the future. For more details on this, see our research on Fingerhut credit limit increases.

Applicant Requirements

Fingerhut Advantage is a closed-loop store credit account, so approval may be easier than open-loop bank credit cards like American Express or Capital One. Fingerhut doesn’t have a specific credit score limit for approval; it considers all applicants, even those with bad credit. It also reports to all three major credit bureaus, which can help you build credit.

Note that if you have filed for bankruptcy, are using a credit counseling service, or have a foreclosure, tax lien, or other negative documentation on your credit history, Fingerhut may decline your application.