Best Chase Credit Cards

The best Chase credit card for beginners is the Chase Freedom® Student credit card because it accepts applicants with limited credit and reports to the three main credit bureaus on a monthly basis. The Freedom Student card also has a $0 annual fee and gives 1% cash back on purchases.

This is a student credit card, which means only people enrolled in college can qualify. Chase does not currently offer any general-consumer credit cards for people with limited credit.

Best Chase Credit Cards for Beginners

If you already have good credit or better, you can find more options among the latest Chase credit card offers. If you don’t yet have a lot of credit history, you can compare the best credit cards for beginners.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a $500 minimum credit limit for everyone who’s approved. Applicants with the best credit standing can also get starting credit limits of $5,000 or higher from the Visa Signature version of the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Signature cards come with a few more supplemental benefits than the standard Visa Platinum cards other approved applicants receive.

Chase doesn’t publicly disclose a maximum credit limit for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. But some customers have said that they have received limits of almost $14,000. If you want a limit that high, you’ll need spotless credit, a very high income to afford the payments, and low existing debt.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Limit Increase

Keep in mind that you can ask Chase for a Chase Freedom Unlimited credit limit increase by calling the number on the back of your card. It’s best to try that after at least half a year of on time bill payments.   

The best Chase credit card promotion is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card’s initial bonus of 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Chase Sapphire Preferred points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed for travel, so this promotion is worth up to $750 in travel through Chase.

Best Chase Credit Card Promotions Right Now

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 60,000-point initial bonus

Initial Bonus: 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase, 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases, 3 points per $1 on dining and online grocery purchases, 3 points per $1 on select streaming services, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Other Perks: $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 10% anniversary points bonus and complimentary access to DashPass

Annual Fee: $95

Min. Credit Required: Good credit

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 60,000-point initial bonus

Initial Bonus: 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, a total of 10 points per $1 spent on prepaid restaurant reservations or takeout orders made through Chase, a total of 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased through Chase, 3 points per $1 spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Other Perks: $300 in annual travel credits, room upgrades, VIP access to exclusive events, and a Priority Pass Select membership that gives airport-lounge access

Annual Fee: $550

Min. Credit Required: Excellent credit

Chase Freedom Flex℠: $200 initial bonus

Initial Bonus: $200 for spending $500 in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in bonus categories (which change every quarter and require activation), 5% cash back on travel through Chase, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases

Other Perks: 3 months of Instacart+, Lyft credits, 1 year ShopRunner membership, Fandango discounts, and 3 months of DashPass

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Good credit

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Additional 1.5% cash back

Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on travel through Chase, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% back on all other purchases (plus an additional 1.5% cash back on everything, up to $20,000 spent the first year)

Other Perks: 3 months of Instacart+, Lyft credits and 3 months of DashPass

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Good credit

Instacart Mastercard®: $100 Instacart credit initial bonus

Initial Bonus: $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval

Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on Instacart.com and Instacart app purchases, 5% back on purchases made through the Chase Travel Center, 2% back at restaurants, 2% back at gas stations, 2% back on select streaming services, and 1% back on all other purchases

Other Perks: 1 year of Instacart+ (worth up to $99), World Elite concierge, purchase protection and more

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Good credit

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: 100,000-point initial bonus

Initial Bonus: 100,000 points for spending $15,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent per year on travel and select business expenses, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Other Perks: Employee cards at no additional cost, travel insurance, cell phone protection, and purchase protection

Annual Fee: $95

Min. Credit Required: Good credit

There are several other Chase credit card promotions, too, including some that extend beyond rewards. For example, you’ll often find Chase credit cards offering 0% introductory APRs on purchases, balance transfers or both. Just keep in mind that they call them promotions for a reason. Chase can change them at any time. So if you see something you like, go for it.

You can get approved for a Chase credit card instantly. If not, you will most likely receive a decision within 7-10 business days. In some cases, however, it can take Chase up to 30 days to make a ruling.

After applying, you can check your status over the phone at (888) 609-7805. At the moment, there is no option to check the status of your application online. You may not like what you learn when you check your application status. But those who get denied can still ask Chase to reconsider by calling (888) 270-2127.

You can check your Chase credit card application status online or by phone: (888) 338-2586. If you check online, you will need to sign into your Chase.com account (or create one if you didn’t apply online). If you call, you’ll have to enter your full Social Security number. When you submit a Chase credit card application, it’s possible you’ll be approved or denied instantly. Otherwise, it could take up to 30 days to get a decision. If you don’t manually check your status, you may receive your decision by email or mail.

Those procedures are the same no matter which Chase credit card you apply for, whether it’s a travel rewards card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, a cash back card such as Chase Freedom Unlimited® or a 0% balance transfer card such as the Chase Slate Edge℠ card. And checking your status with any Chase card is as simple as signing in and making a few clicks.

How to check your Chase credit card application status online:

1. Log in to your Chase Online account with your username and password.
2. Find “Customer Center” in the top left corner and click on it.
3. Click on “Check my application status.”
4. View your application(s). You’ll be able to see whether they’re pending, approved, or denied.

If you don’t have an account yet, just click the “New To Chase Online?” button below the login area. You’ll be able to make an account by entering your application number and SSN.

To check your Chase credit card application status by phone, call (888) 338-2586 and enter your full Social Security number when prompted. Chase’s automated application status line is accessible 24/7.

How to contact the Chase credit card reconsideration line

You might not like what you learn when you check your credit card application status. But it’s important to remember that if you’re denied, there’s still hope. You can ask Chase to reconsider your application by calling (888) 270-2127. One of Chase’s credit analysts will talk to you and take another look over your application materials. There’s no guarantee that anything will change, but it’s possible. To start off, you’ll just need to give your application ID or SSN to the analyst. Best of luck!

The easiest way you can pay your Chase credit card is online, either through Chase’s website, or the Chase Mobile app, or over the phone at (800) 436-7958. Alternatively, you can pay your credit card bill at a Chase ATM or branch, by mail, or via Western Union.

Here’s how you can pay your Chase credit card:

• Online:
  Log in with your online credentials and click the “Pay card” link next to the credit card you want to pay. Next, choose how much you want to pay. You can choose to pay your current balance, your minimum payment due, or a custom amount. Pick your payment date, and the payment account you’d like to pay from. Then, click “Pay this bill.”
• Chase Mobile app:
  You can also make a Chase credit card payment on the Chase Mobile app, which works much the same way as an online payment.
• Over the phone:
  You can also pay your Chase credit card bill over the phone. Call (800) 436-7958 and follow the prompts from Chase’s automated system.
• At a Chase ATM or branch:
  Alternately, you can pay your credit card at an ATM or inside any Chase bank branch.
• By mail:
  If you’d rather mail your Chase payment, send a check or money order (with your account number written on the memo line) and your payment coupon to:
   
  Cardmember Services
  P.O. Box 6294
  Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294
   
  Overnight Mail
   
  Chase Card Services
  201 N. Walnut Street
  De1-0153
  Wilmington, DE 19801
• Via Western Union:
  Lastly, for Western Union payments, use the Code City WALNUT. Keep in mind that it may take up to 7 days before the payment is reflected on your account.

Keep in mind that payments via regular mail take a long time to post. So, in order to avoid being late, always send your payments at least 5-7 days before your due date.

Most Chase credit cards require a credit score of 700 or higher to get approved. That means you need good credit or better to qualify for the majority of Chase credit cards. For example, the credit score requirement for both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is 700+.

The main exception to the rule is the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, which is available to students with limited credit or better. Still, the higher your credit score is, the better your Chase credit card approval odds will be.

Chase Credit Card Credit Score Requirements

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Excellent Credit (750+).
• Chase Freedom Flex℠: Good Credit (700+).
• Chase Slate Edge℠: Good Credit (700+).
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Good Credit (700+).
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Good Credit (700+).
• Amazon.com Credit Card: Good Credit (700+).
• Chase Freedom® Student credit card: Limited History. This card accepts students who have less than 3 years of credit history.
• Ink Business cards: Good Credit. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, for instance, requires a credit score of 700 at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.
• Chase hotel cards: Good Credit. The World of Hyatt Credit Card, for instance, requires a credit score of 700 at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.
• Most Chase airline cards: Good Credit. United Quest℠ Card, for instance, requires a credit score of 700 at a minimum. That means you need at good credit or better for approval.

Be sure to check your credit score regularly to assess your chances of meeting the Chase credit card credit score requirements. Chase also has an online pre-approval tool that gives you an indication of how well your credit stacks up without having to formally apply.

You’ll know within seconds if you’re pre-approved for any Chase credit cards. There’s no guarantee you’ll be approved if you apply, but the odds are on your side. Pre-approvals are done using a soft inquiry or “soft pull” on your credit report, which means there’s no effect on your credit score. However, if you decide to actually apply for a card, Chase will perform a hard inquiry, which may cause a slight dip in your credit score.