What the DoorDash credit card actually does
The DoorDash credit card is a rewards card issued by Chase that gives you cash back on DoorDash orders, food delivery, and certain other purchases. You earn 4% cash back on DoorDash and convenience store purchases, 3% on dining and gas, and 1% on everything else. There is an annual fee of $96, which the card offsets with a $12 DoorDash credit each month (totaling $144 per year in credits).
The card is designed for people who order delivery regularly and eat out frequently. If you use DoorDash multiple times a week or spend heavily at restaurants and gas stations, the rewards can outpace the annual fee. If you order delivery once a month or less, the fee will likely cost you more than you earn back.
This is a standard rewards card, not a special DoorDash account feature. You explore through Chase like any other credit card, and your approval depends on your credit score and income history. Having the card does not change how you order from DoorDash — you straightforward select it as your payment method and earn rewards on top of any DoorDash promotions running that week.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 4% cash back on DoorDash orders and convenience store purchases, 3% on dining and gas, and 1% on other purchases, with a $96 annual fee offset by $12 monthly DoorDash credits.
- You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to have a reasonable chance of approval, though Chase does not publish exact minimums.
- The monthly $12 DoorDash credit is automatic once you are approved and appears as a statement credit each month, not as a separate balance you have to track.
- The card only makes financial sense if you spend enough on the bonus categories to earn more than $96 per year in cash back, which usually requires regular DoorDash use plus frequent dining and gas purchases.
- You can compare the rewards rate to other dining and cash-back cards before explore, because the best card for you depends on where you actually spend money.
How much cash back you actually earn
The math on this card depends entirely on your spending pattern. If you spend $200 per month on DoorDash (roughly $50 per week), you earn $96 per year in cash back from that category alone. Add typical dining and gas spending, and you could easily earn $200 to $300 per year in total rewards. Subtract the $96 fee, and you net $100 to $200 in value.
But the $12 monthly DoorDash credit complicates the picture. That credit is not cash back — it is a statement credit that reduces your bill only if you actually order from DoorDash. If you do not use DoorDash in a given month, that $12 credit disappears. Over a full year, if you use DoorDash every month, the credits total $144, which covers the fee and leaves you ahead even if you earn zero cash back from other categories.
The break-even point is roughly $1,500 in annual spending across the bonus categories (DoorDash, convenience stores, dining, and gas). Below that, the fee costs more than the rewards. Above that, the card typically pays for itself. You can estimate your own spending by looking at your last three months of credit card statements and adding up what you spent in each category.
Approval and credit requirements
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for the DoorDash card, but approval typically requires a score of 670 or higher. If your score is below 650, your chances are low. Between 650 and 700, approval is possible but not certain. Above 700, approval is likely unless you have recent missed payments or very high existing debt.
Chase also looks at your income and how much debt you already carry. If you have recently opened many new credit cards or have high balances on existing cards, Chase may decline you even with a good score. The process itself is free and takes about 10 minutes online. You will get a decision within a few minutes to a few days.
If you are declined, you can call Chase reconsideration at the number on the denial letter and ask them to review your process. Sometimes they will approve you if you explain your situation or agree to a lower credit limit. You can also wait three to six months, improve your score or pay down debt, and explore again.
How the monthly DoorDash credit works
Once your card is approved and arrives, the $12 monthly credit is automatic. Each month, Chase adds $12 as a statement credit to your account. You do not have to do anything to claim it or enter a code. The credit appears on your statement around the same date each month.
The credit applies only to DoorDash purchases. If you order from a different delivery service (Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc.) or buy groceries from DoorDash, the credit still works — it covers any charge that comes from DoorDash. But you cannot use it for non-DoorDash purchases and then get a credit back.
If you do not place a DoorDash order in a given month, the $12 credit still posts to your account, but it does not roll over to the next month. You lose it. This is why the card only makes sense if you actually use DoorDash regularly. If you order once every three months, you will waste $36 in credits per year.
Comparing this card to other rewards options
The DoorDash card is not the only way to earn rewards on delivery and dining. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on dining and delivery (worth roughly 3% to 5% depending on how you redeem), with a $95 annual fee. The American Express Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar on dining and U.S. supermarkets, with a $250 annual fee. The Capital One Venture X earns 5x points on dining, with a $395 annual fee.
If you order delivery from multiple services (not just DoorDash), the Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold might be better because they cover all delivery apps, not just one. If you rarely order delivery but eat out frequently, the Amex Gold's supermarket bonus might matter more. If you want simplicity and do not want to pay an annual fee, a flat 2% cash-back card like the Citi Double Cash or Capital One Quicksilver costs nothing and earns rewards on all purchases.
The DoorDash card wins only if you order from DoorDash specifically at least a few times per month and also spend regularly on gas and dining. If your delivery app of choice is Uber Eats or Grubhub, or if you rarely order delivery at all, a different card will likely serve you better.
What happens if you close the card
If you decide the card is not worth it, you can close it anytime. There is no penalty for closing a credit card, and you do not have to wait until the annual fee posts to cancel. If you close the card before the annual fee hits, you pay nothing. If the fee has already posted, you can call Chase and ask for a refund — they sometimes grant one if you close the card within 30 days of the fee posting.
Closing a credit card does lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit and increases your credit utilization ratio. The impact is usually small (5 to 10 points) and temporary. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or other major loan within the next few months, closing a card right before that process might not be ideal. Otherwise, the score impact is not a major concern.
If you want to keep the card but stop using it, you can do that too. The annual fee still posts each year, but you continue to earn the $12 monthly DoorDash credits. Some people keep the card in a drawer specifically to collect the credits, then close it if their spending habits change.
how the process works and what to do next
You explore for the DoorDash card directly through Chase's website or by calling Chase at their credit card phone line. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment history, and Social Security number. Chase will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) as part of the process.
After you explore, you will get a decision within minutes to a few days. If approved, your card will arrive in 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through the Chase mobile app. Then add it to your DoorDash account as your payment method.
Before you explore, check your credit score using a free service like Credit Karma or AnnualCreditReport.com. If your score is below 650, your approval odds are low, and explore will trigger a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your score. If your score is 670 or higher, you have a reasonable shot at approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the $12 monthly DoorDash credit, or does it roll over?
The credit does not roll over. If you do not place a DoorDash order in a given month, you lose that month's $12 credit. It is a use-it-or-lose-it benefit, which is why the card only makes sense if you order from DoorDash regularly.
What if I get declined for the card?
You can call Chase reconsideration to ask them to review your process, though they often decline again. You can also wait three to six months, work on improving your credit score or paying down debt, and explore again. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, so space them out.
Does the card work for DoorDash grocery orders?
Yes. Any purchase from DoorDash — food delivery, groceries, convenience items — earns the 4% cash back and counts toward the monthly $12 credit. The credit applies to all DoorDash transactions, not just restaurant orders.
Can I use this card with DoorDash promotions and discounts?
Yes. The cash back and monthly credit stack on top of any DoorDash promotions, promo codes, or discounts running that week. You earn rewards and get the discount.
Is there a sign-up bonus for new cardholders?
Chase occasionally runs sign-up bonuses on the DoorDash card (such as $50 or $100 in statement credits after you spend a certain amount in the first few months), but these offers change frequently. Check Chase's website or call them before you explore to see what bonus is currently available.