Chase offers different credit cards for different spending patterns and credit histories
Chase makes credit cards for people building credit, people with established credit who want rewards, and people who travel frequently. Each card has different rewards rates, annual fees, and approval requirements. The card that makes sense for you depends on what you spend money on, how much you can pay back each month, and whether you have a credit history already.
Chase does not advertise all its cards the same way. Some appear on the main website; others are available only if you call or visit a branch. The terms — the interest rate, the credit limit, the rewards structure — can change based on your credit score and income when you explore.
Key Takeaways
- Chase offers cards for people with no credit history, people rebuilding credit, and people with strong credit, each with different approval odds and rewards.
- Annual fees range from zero to several hundred dollars depending on the card; cards with high annual fees typically offer higher rewards or travel benefits.
- The interest rate you receive depends on your credit score and income at the time you explore, not on the card's advertised rate.
- Chase typically reports your account to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help build your credit score over time.
- Rewards rates vary by spending category — groceries, gas, dining, travel — so the best card depends on where you spend the most money.
Cards for people with limited or no credit history
The Chase Secured Credit Card requires a cash deposit, usually between $200 and $2,500, which becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other card, but Chase holds your deposit as collateral. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, Chase may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit, or you can request a review.
This card reports to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so every on-time payment builds your credit history. There is no annual fee. The interest rate is higher than Chase's rewards cards, typically in the 18% to 24% range, but that matters only if you carry a balance month to month.
Chase also offers the Chase Freedom Student card for people currently enrolled in a four-year college or university. It has no annual fee and no deposit requirement. The approval odds are higher than for other Chase cards because the card is designed for people with no credit history yet.
Cards with rewards for everyday spending
The Chase Freedom Flex card earns 5% cash back on rotating categories (groceries, gas, restaurants, and others) for the first $1,500 spent each quarter, then 1% after that. It also earns 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee. This card requires good credit — typically a credit score of 670 or higher — to have strong approval odds.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 2% cash back on dining and travel, and 1% on all other purchases. It has a $95 annual fee. The card also includes travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and rental car coverage, which offset the fee for people who travel several times a year.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns 3% cash back on dining and travel, and 1% on all other purchases. It has a $550 annual fee and includes higher travel protections and airport lounge access. This card is designed for people who spend heavily on travel and dining and have excellent credit.
How rewards are paid and what they cost you
Chase rewards come as cash back, which appears as a credit on your statement. You can use it to pay your bill, or Chase can deposit it into a linked bank account. Some cards also let you transfer rewards to travel partners like United Airlines or Hyatt Hotels, though the value per point is usually lower than cash back.
Rewards are only valuable if you pay off your balance each month. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the interest cost will exceed the rewards you earn. For example, if you earn $100 in cash back but pay $150 in interest charges, you have lost $50. The interest rate on Chase cards typically ranges from 18% to 27% depending on your credit score.
Annual fees are a real cost. A $95 annual fee means you need to earn at least $95 in rewards to break even. On the Chase Sapphire Preferred, if you spend $5,000 on dining and travel in a year, you earn $100 in cash back — a $5 net gain after the fee. If you spend $2,000, you earn $40 and lose $55 to the fee.
How to compare cards and understand approval odds
Chase publishes the credit score ranges it typically looks for on each card's information page. The Secured card has no minimum score because the deposit covers the risk. The Freedom Flex typically requires a score of 670 or higher. The Sapphire Preferred and Reserve typically require scores of 740 or higher. These are not hard cutoffs — people with lower scores sometimes get approved, and people with higher scores sometimes get denied — but they show the general bar.
Your income and existing debts also matter. Chase looks at your debt-to-income ratio, which is the total amount you owe each month divided by your gross monthly income. If you already have high credit card balances or car loans, Chase may deny you or offer a lower credit limit.
You can check your credit score for free through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only site required by federal law to provide free reports. You can also check your score through your bank's website or through free services like Credit Karma, though those scores may differ slightly from the score Chase sees.
What happens after you open a card
Chase will send you a physical card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary card number online to use before the physical card arrives. Once you receive it, set up it through the Chase website or app, then you can use it when ready.
Chase reports your account to the credit bureaus monthly. Your payment history — whether you pay on time, late, or not at all — appears on your credit report. Late payments stay on your report for seven years. On-time payments build your credit score over time, typically raising it by 10 to 50 points per year if you have no other negative marks.
You can manage your account through the Chase mobile app or website. You can view your balance, make payments, see your rewards balance, and change your statement date or billing address. You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month.
Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs
Chase credit cards have no annual fee, a $95 annual fee, or a $550 annual fee depending on the card. Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year, then charge it starting in year two. You can cancel the card before the fee posts if you decide it is not worth it.
Interest rates vary by card and by your credit score. A card advertised at 18% to 27% APR means people with excellent credit might pay 18%, while people with fair credit might pay 27%. The rate applies only to balances you carry from month to month. If you pay your full balance by the due date, you pay no interest.
Chase also charges late fees (typically $25 to $39 for the first late payment, $35 to $39 for later ones) and foreign transaction fees (typically 3% of the purchase amount if you use the card outside the United States). Some cards waive foreign transaction fees; the Sapphire cards do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to get approved for a Chase card?
It depends on the card. The Secured card has no minimum score. The Freedom Flex typically requires 670 or higher. The Sapphire Preferred and Reserve typically require 740 or higher. These are guidelines, not rules — approval also depends on your income and existing debts. The only way to know your odds is to check your credit score and then look at the card's information page on Chase's website.
Can I use my rewards to pay my bill?
Yes. Cash back rewards appear as a credit on your statement, and you can use them to pay your balance. Some cards also let you transfer rewards to travel partners or redeem them for gift cards, but cash back is the simplest option.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Chase will charge a late fee and report the late payment to the credit bureaus. Your interest rate may also increase. A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by 50 to 100 points or more. If you miss a payment, contact Chase as soon as possible — they may waive the fee if it is your first late payment.
Can I get a higher credit limit after I open the card?
Yes. After you have had the card for a few months and made on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase through the Chase app or website. Chase will either approve it when ready or ask you to call. A higher limit can lower your credit utilization ratio, which helps your credit score.
Do I have to use the card to keep it open?
No, but Chase may close accounts that show no activity for a long time — typically 12 months or more. If you want to keep a card open but do not use it, make a small purchase every few months to show activity.