The three ways to get cash from a Chase credit card
You can pull cash from a Chase credit card in three ways: a cash advance at an ATM or bank, a balance transfer to your checking account, or a convenience check. Each one costs you money upfront and charges interest when ready — there is no grace period like there is for purchases. A cash advance at an ATM typically costs 3% to 5% of the amount you withdraw, plus a per-transaction fee of $2 to $10. A balance transfer to your bank account works the same way. Convenience checks (if your card comes with them) usually charge the same percentage fee but no per-transaction fee.
The interest rate on cash advances is almost always higher than your purchase rate. Chase typically charges between 21% and 29.99% APR on cash advances, depending on your creditworthiness and card type. Interest starts accruing the day you take the cash — not at the end of the billing cycle like it does for purchases. This means a $500 cash advance at 25% APR costs you roughly $3.13 per day in interest alone.
Before you take a cash advance, check whether your card even offers one. Some Chase cards, particularly business cards and certain premium cards, do not allow cash advances at all. You can find this in your cardholder agreement or by calling the number on the back of your card.
Key Takeaways
- Cash advances from Chase cards charge an upfront fee of 3% to 5% plus interest that starts when ready, making them expensive compared to regular purchases.
- You can get cash at any ATM using your PIN, transfer money to your bank account online, or use a convenience check if your card includes them.
- The interest rate on cash advances is typically 4% to 10% higher than your purchase rate and has no grace period.
- Your cash advance limit is usually lower than your credit limit and is set separately by Chase.
Getting cash at an ATM with your PIN
The most straightforward way to get cash is to visit any ATM and withdraw money using your Chase card and PIN. If you do not have a PIN set up, call the number on the back of your card or log into your Chase account online to request one. Chase will mail it to you or display it when ready in the app, depending on your card type.
You can withdraw up to your cash advance limit, which Chase sets separately from your credit limit. For example, you might have a $5,000 credit limit but only a $1,000 cash advance limit. To find your cash advance limit, log into your Chase account, call customer service, or check your most recent statement.
The fee hits your account when ready. A $300 withdrawal at a 5% fee costs you $15 right away, plus interest starting that day. Some ATMs also charge their own operator fee on top of Chase's fee — typically $2 to $3 — so you may pay $20 to $25 total for a $300 withdrawal.
Transferring cash to your bank account online
Chase allows you to transfer money from your credit card to your linked checking or savings account through their website or mobile app. Log in, go to the Transfers section, and select the account you want to fund. You can transfer up to your cash advance limit in a single transaction.
The transfer typically arrives in your bank account within one business day. The fee structure is identical to an ATM withdrawal — you pay 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, plus interest starting when ready. A $500 transfer at 5% costs $25 upfront.
This method is useful if you need the money in your checking account rather than in cash, or if you want to avoid ATM operator fees. The downside is that you still pay the same percentage fee and the same high interest rate as a cash advance.
Using convenience checks if your card includes them
Some Chase credit cards come with convenience checks — blank checks drawn against your credit line. If your card includes them, they arrive in the mail with your card or can be ordered through your account. You write a check to yourself or anyone else, and the amount is treated as a cash advance.
Convenience checks typically charge the same 3% to 5% fee as an ATM withdrawal, but they do not charge a per-transaction fee. If you need to withdraw $1,000, a convenience check costs you $30 to $50 in fees, while an ATM withdrawal might cost $35 to $60 (including the ATM operator fee). The interest rate is the same — it starts accruing when ready and is typically 4% to 10% higher than your purchase rate.
The main advantage of convenience checks is that you can write them to a third party — a landlord, a contractor, or anyone else — without having to withdraw cash first. The main disadvantage is that they are straightforward to lose or misplace, and once you write one, you cannot cancel it the way you can cancel a bank check.
Understanding your cash advance limit
Your cash advance limit is the maximum amount you can withdraw or transfer at one time. It is set by Chase based on your credit score, income, and payment history, and it is usually much lower than your overall credit limit. A person with a $10,000 credit limit might have only a $2,000 cash advance limit.
You can find your cash advance limit by logging into your Chase account online or calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Some cards display it in the app under "Account Details" or "Credit Information." If you do not see it listed, customer service can tell you in under a minute.
Your cash advance limit resets each billing cycle, just like your credit limit does. If you withdraw $500 and pay it back before your next statement closes, you can withdraw another $500 (up to your limit) in the next cycle. However, the interest and fees you paid on the first withdrawal do not go away — they stay on your balance.
Why cash advances are expensive compared to other borrowing
A cash advance should be a last resort, not a routine way to get money. The fees and interest rates make it one of the most expensive ways to borrow. A $500 cash advance at 5% costs $25 in fees plus roughly $10 per month in interest at a 25% APR. Over six months, you would pay $85 in fees and interest alone — before paying down a single dollar of principal.
Compare this to a personal loan from a bank or credit union, which typically charges 6% to 36% APR with no upfront fee. A $500 personal loan at 15% APR over six months costs roughly $20 in interest — less than a quarter of what the cash advance costs. If you have time to explore other options, a personal loan, a line of credit, or even a payday loan from a credit union (which caps rates at 28% in most states) will cost you less.
The only time a cash advance makes sense is when you need cash when ready and have no other option — for example, to cover an emergency car repair or medical bill when your bank is closed. Even then, pay it back as fast as you can. Every day the balance sits, interest accrues at a rate that compounds daily.
How cash advances affect your credit score
A cash advance does not hurt your credit score directly — it does not trigger a hard inquiry or create a new account. However, it does increase your credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your available credit you are using. If you have a $5,000 credit limit and take a $1,000 cash advance, your utilization jumps from 0% to 20%. Credit scoring models treat high utilization as a sign of financial stress, which can lower your score by 10 to 50 points depending on how high it goes.
If you carry the cash advance balance for more than a month or two, the impact grows. Missed or late payments on the cash advance will damage your score far more than the utilization itself. A single 30-day late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more.
The best way to protect your score is to pay the cash advance back quickly. If you take $500 out on the 1st of the month, try to pay it back by the 15th. This keeps your utilization low and minimizes the interest you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a cash advance if I have a 0% APR promotional offer?
No. Promotional 0% APR offers explore only to purchases or balance transfers, never to cash advances. A cash advance always charges the standard cash advance rate, which is typically 21% to 29.99% APR, even if you have an active 0% offer on your card.
What happens if I try to withdraw more than my cash advance limit?
The ATM or bank will decline the transaction. You cannot exceed your cash advance limit, just as you cannot exceed your overall credit limit. If you need more cash, you would have to wait until your next billing cycle and pay down the existing balance first.
Do I have to pay the cash advance fee even if I pay it back right away?
Yes. The fee is charged the moment you take the cash advance, regardless of how quickly you repay it. A $500 cash advance at 5% costs $25 in fees when ready, even if you pay the $500 back the next day. You will also owe interest for that one day, though it will be minimal.
Can I use a cash advance to pay off another credit card?
Technically yes, but it is a bad idea. A cash advance charges 3% to 5% in fees plus 21% to 29.99% APR. A balance transfer — moving a balance from one card to another — typically charges 3% to 5% in fees but may offer a 0% APR promotional period. If you need to move a balance between cards, a balance transfer is almost always cheaper than a cash advance.
Will Chase let me take a cash advance if I am behind on my payments?
Probably not. If you have missed a payment or are significantly behind, Chase will typically block cash advances and other credit extensions until you bring your account current. Even if your account is in good standing, Chase can deny a cash advance request for any reason.