Want a credit card? Here are three tips to getting approved (opens original article in a new tab)

Consumers can improve their chances of getting a credit card by understanding lenders' criteria, checking their credit scores, and using pre-approval tools.

• Credit card approval depends on lenders' internal standards and a consumer's financial profile.
• Pre-approval notices increase the likelihood of approval but are not guaranteed.
• Credit scores are divided into five bands, with higher scores improving approval chances.