 TITLE: What Are the Benefits of a Preapproved Credit Card? CONTENT: Do Preapproved Offers Affect Your Credit Score?\n-----------------------------------------------\nAs mentioned, lenders do a soft inquiry before they make a preapproval offer, but that inquiry does not affect your credit score. If you take the next step and apply for the preapproved credit card, however, the lender will run a hard inquiry that could temporarily ding your score by a few points. That's why it's important to understand the terms before you complete the process, including whether there is an annual fee and (if there is one) how much it is, the interest rate range and the types of rewards included with the card.\nYou may also want to find out how user-friendly the card issuer's website or app is, and if you can set up automatic payments to avoid late fees and interest charges. Spending some time reading reviews of the lender and the card can also help you decide whether you want to complete a full application and have the new account on your credit report.\nFinally, when considering any credit product, including a preapproved credit card, it's a good idea to know your credit score and review your credit report to ensure it's accurate. You can get a free credit score and report from Experian, or opt for free credit monitoring, which provides a free score and report, and alerts you when there are changes to your credit file. END