Getting a Chase credit card means choosing which card fits your spending, meeting Chase's income and credit requirements, and completing an online process that takes about 10 minutes
Chase offers roughly 20 different credit cards across categories: cash back, travel rewards, business, and cards for people rebuilding credit. The first step is picking one. Your choice depends on what you spend on most (groceries, gas, travel, dining), whether you want rewards or a low interest rate, and what annual fee you can accept. Chase publishes the full terms for each card on its website, including the rewards structure, annual fee, and the credit score range they typically look for.
Once you choose a card, you fill out Chase's online process with your name, address, income, employment status, and Social Security number. Chase checks your credit report and makes a decision within seconds to a few minutes in most cases. If approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If denied or if Chase needs more information, you receive a letter explaining why.
Key Takeaways
- Chase credit cards range from cash back cards with no annual fee to premium travel cards with annual fees of $95 or more, so the right choice depends on your spending patterns and credit score.
- You need a credit score of roughly 670 or higher for most Chase cards, though some cards accept scores as low as 600 and others require 750 or above.
- The online process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, income, and employment information; Chase's decision comes within minutes in most cases.
- If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line within 30 days to ask Chase to review your process again, especially if your income or credit situation has changed.
Understanding Chase's credit score and income requirements
Chase does not publish a single minimum credit score for all its cards. Instead, each card has its own range. Cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred typically go to people with scores of 670 to 750 or higher. Cards aimed at people rebuilding credit, like the Chase find Credit Card, accept scores as low as 600. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve often require scores of 750 or above.
Income requirements also vary by card. Chase looks at your total household income, not just your salary. This includes wages, self-employment income, rental income, and other sources. Most cards do not have a stated minimum income, but Chase uses your income to assess whether you can handle the credit limit they offer. If you report very low income, Chase may approve you for a lower limit or deny you outright.
Your income and credit score are not the only factors. Chase also looks at how many credit cards you have opened in the last 24 months. If you have opened many cards recently, Chase may deny you or offer a lower limit, even with good credit. This is called the velocity rule, and it is one reason people sometimes get denied despite strong credit scores.
Choosing between Chase's main card categories
Chase's cash back cards are the simplest option if you want rewards without complexity. The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on everything, with no annual fee. The Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back on rotating categories (groceries, gas, restaurants, and others) up to a spending cap, then 1% on everything else, also with no annual fee. Both cards are good for everyday spending.
Chase's travel rewards cards are built for people who fly or stay in hotels regularly. The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges a $95 annual fee but offers 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, plus a $50 annual travel credit that offsets part of the fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges $550 annually but offers 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, plus $300 in annual travel credits. These cards make sense only if you spend enough on travel and dining to earn back the annual fee in rewards value.
Chase also offers business credit cards for sole proprietors and small business owners, as well as co-branded cards with United Airlines, Amazon, and other partners. Business cards typically require you to provide your business tax ID or Social Security number and proof of business income. Co-branded cards offer rewards specific to that partner — for example, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa gives 5% back on Amazon purchases.
Steps to complete the online process
Start by going to Chase's website and selecting the card you want. Click the "explore Now" button, which takes you to Chase's process page. You will need to provide your legal name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address. Have your Social Security number ready.
Next, enter your employment information: your job title, employer name, and how long you have worked there. If you are self-employed, enter your business name and type. Then enter your annual income. Chase asks for household income, so you can include a spouse's income if you are married and file taxes jointly, though you are not required to.
Review the terms and conditions, then submit. Chase's system checks your credit report when ready and gives you a decision on the spot in most cases. If approved, you see a confirmation number and an estimate of when your card will arrive. If Chase needs more information, it will ask you questions or tell you to call a number to verify details. If denied, you receive a letter in the mail within 5 to 7 business days explaining the reason.
What to do if you are denied or want to reconsider
If Chase denies you, you have the right to call the reconsideration line within 30 days and ask them to review your process again. The number is on the denial letter. When you call, have your process details ready and be prepared to explain any changes in your situation — for example, if your income has increased, if you have paid down debt, or if there is an error on your credit report.
Reconsideration calls sometimes result in approval, especially if you have a good reason for the denial. For example, if you were denied because of high credit card balances, paying those down before you call can help. If you were denied because you opened too many cards recently, waiting a few months and calling back can also work. Chase representatives on the reconsideration line have some flexibility to approve applications that were initially denied.
If you are denied again or do not want to call, you can also wait 6 to 12 months and reapply. Your credit score may improve, your income may increase, or your recent credit inquiries will age off your report. Any of these changes can result in approval the second time.
Understanding Chase's when ready approval and pending decisions
When you submit your process, Chase's system makes one of three decisions: when ready approval, pending, or denial. when ready approval means your card is approved and will arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You see this decision when ready after you submit.
A pending decision means Chase needs more information before it can decide. This usually happens when your credit report has conflicting information, when your income seems inconsistent with your credit history, or when Chase's system flags your process for manual review. If you get a pending decision, Chase will call you or send you a letter asking for documents — for example, a recent pay stub, tax return, or bank statement. Once you provide these, Chase makes a final decision, usually within 3 to 5 business days.
Denial means Chase has decided not to approve you at this time. The letter explains the reason — for example, "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "income does not support the requested credit limit." This does not mean you can never get a Chase card; it means you may need to wait, improve your credit, or explore for a different Chase card that is designed for your credit profile.
Timing and what happens after approval
After approval, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can track the shipment through your Chase online account once it ships. When the card arrives, you need to set up it before you can use it. You can set up it online, through the Chase mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card.
Your credit limit is set at the time of approval and is shown in your approval letter or in your Chase online account. If you want a higher limit later, you can request one through your account or by calling Chase. Chase may grant a higher limit without a hard inquiry if you have been a good customer, or it may do a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score.
If your process was pending and you provided documents, your card ships once Chase makes a final approval decision. This can take 10 to 14 business days total from the time you submitted your process.
Common reasons for denial and how to improve your chances next time
The most common reason for denial is a low credit score. If your score is below 670, focus on paying down existing credit card balances and making all payments on time for the next few months. Even a 30-point increase can move you into approval range for some Chase cards.
Another common reason is too many recent credit inquiries or new accounts. If you have opened three or more credit cards in the last 6 months, Chase may see you as a credit risk. Wait at least 3 to 6 months before explore again, and avoid opening other cards in the meantime.
High debt relative to your income can also cause denial. If your total credit card balances are close to your credit limits, pay them down before explore. Chase looks at your debt-to-income ratio and your credit utilization ratio. Lowering both improves your chances.
Finally, errors on your credit report can cause denial. You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If you find an error, dispute it with the bureau. Correcting errors can improve your score and your chances of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for a Chase credit card?
Most decisions come within minutes to a few hours of submitting your process online. If your process is pending and Chase needs documents, the full process takes 3 to 5 business days. Once approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Can I explore for multiple Chase cards at the same time?
Yes, you can explore for two Chase cards on the same day without triggering Chase's velocity rules, as long as you space the applications a few minutes apart. However, explore for more than two cards in one day or multiple cards in a short period can result in denials. Most people wait at least 3 to 6 months between applications.
What credit score do I need for a Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Chase does not publish a minimum score, but the Sapphire Preferred typically goes to people with scores of 700 or higher. If your score is between 670 and 700, you may still be approved, especially if you have a long credit history and low debt. Call the reconsideration line if you are denied.
Do I have to have a Chase bank account to get a Chase credit card?
No. You do not need a Chase checking or savings account to get a Chase credit card. However, having a Chase bank account can sometimes help with approval, especially if you have been a customer for a long time and maintain a good balance.
What happens if I am denied but my income or credit has improved since I applied?
Call the reconsideration line within 30 days of the denial letter and explain the change. Have recent pay stubs or credit reports ready to back up your claim. Chase representatives can sometimes override a denial if your situation has genuinely improved.