For those who like the convenience of going online and then applying for and receiving an instant decision on a credit card, these are truly the salad days. Today – because of the Internet and its sweep and scope – more business can be done online than ever before. What to know about instant credit cards and how they're applied for and what their terms and conditions are, can be important if one hopes to take full advantage of what they offer.

Not all instant credit cards are created equal though, so keep that in mind. And though most usually require at least “good” (if not excellent) credit, there are a number of other cards available from issuers that specialize in what's called “sub-prime” (aka “bad”) credit markets and in people who might not have the best credit around. This is so even in the current tightened credit environment, which can be a comfort for some.

Never forget that credit is a commodity and that being able to get it is a privilege. After all, no issuer has to extend consumer credit (housing or other forms of credit can be a different story), and those who want it should look at tending to their credit history with care. Instant credit cards are no different than any other form of credit; it's just that they can be obtained quickly in the case of many people.

What, then, does one need to do to find such cards? Use the Internet, of course. Just find a search engine and use a phrase such as “instant credit cards” to find a website that specializes in not only finding the right card, with the right terms and conditions for the person requesting one, but also one that can be obtained within 60 seconds of application.

It needs to be said that not every person who applies for an instant decision will, of course, get one. For some, especially those with issues or problems with their credit score (those with scores below 630 or so, generally speaking, these days), it may be that the credit issuer will want additional information, which would mean a delayed decision.

Also, some people who apply for instant credit cards just won't get them. As was said, it's generally the case that anybody with poor or banged up credit will have a difficult time getting a prime rate credit card, meaning that if one is offered at all, it'll have a higher interest rate and most likely several or more different penalty fee features, such as steep late fees or re-sets of interest rates to higher levels in the event of poor payment histories.

These kinds of cards serve a role in the marketplace and those with good-to-excellent credit seem to benefit from their availability the most. People with less-than-perfect credit can obtain them, though they can also expect to pay slightly higher interest rates and may have to deal with terms and conditions those with good credit may not have to deal with. As long as all of this is understood, then one of these cards should provide no surprises.