Chase is a large bank with many card options, but whether it's right for you depends on your credit profile and spending habits
Chase is one of the largest credit card issuers in the United States, offering cards across every major category: cash back, travel rewards, business cards, and cards for people building credit. The company is owned by JPMorgan Chase, a major bank with physical branches and online banking. Whether a Chase card makes sense for you is not about Chase being "good" or "bad" as a company — it's about whether their specific cards match what you spend money on and whether you meet their credit requirements.
Chase cards tend to have higher rewards rates than some competitors, but they also typically require good to excellent credit to get approved. If you have fair credit or are rebuilding, you may find it harder to get a Chase card than a card from a smaller issuer or a bank-specific card. The company is also known for strict rules about opening multiple cards in a short time — they may deny you if you've opened too many cards recently, even if your credit is good.
Key Takeaways
- Chase offers cards in every major category (cash back, travel, business, secured), so you can find a card that matches your spending if you meet their credit requirements.
- Most Chase cards require good credit (usually a score of 670 or higher), which means fair-credit applicants may be denied even if they have no missed payments.
- Chase enforces a "5/24 rule" — they may deny you if you've opened five or more cards in the past 24 months, regardless of your credit score.
- Chase cards often have higher rewards rates than competitors, but also higher annual fees on premium cards, so the math depends on how much you spend in bonus categories.
- Chase customer service is available by phone and online, but does not include live chat on most cards, which some people find less convenient than competitors.
What Chase Cards Cost and What You Get Back
Chase cards fall into three pricing tiers. Most basic cards have no annual fee and offer 1% to 1.5% cash back on all purchases, or rotating bonus categories. Mid-tier cards charge $95 to $150 per year and offer higher rewards rates — typically 2% to 5% in specific categories like dining, travel, or groceries. Premium cards charge $450 to $550 per year and include benefits like airport lounge access, travel credits, and concierge service.
Whether you come out ahead depends on your actual spending. A $95 annual fee card makes sense only if you spend enough in bonus categories to earn back more than $95 per year. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on everything — straightforward math. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card costs $95 per year but earns 3% on dining and travel, and 2% on groceries. If you spend $5,000 per year on dining and travel, you earn $150 in rewards, which covers the fee and leaves you $55 ahead. If you spend $1,000 per year on those categories, you earn $30 and lose $65 to the fee.
Chase also offers sign-up bonuses — usually 50,000 to 100,000 points or miles, worth $500 to $1,500 depending on the card. These bonuses require you to spend a certain amount (typically $500 to $5,000) within three months. The bonus is real money if you were going to spend that amount anyway, but it's not a reason to open a card you won't use.
Credit Score Requirements and Approval Odds
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but their cards typically require a score of 670 or higher. Some cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, may approve people with scores in the 650 to 670 range if they have other positive factors (low debt, long credit history, stable income). Premium cards like the Sapphire Reserve usually require scores of 740 or higher.
If your score is below 650, you are unlikely to be approved for any Chase card. In that case, look at cards from issuers like Capital One, Discover, or your own bank, which often have cards designed for fair credit. Once your score reaches 670 or higher, you can try a basic Chase card with no annual fee — there's no penalty for being denied, and the hard inquiry (which temporarily lowers your score by a few points) will fade after 12 months.
Chase also looks at how many cards you've opened recently. Their unofficial "5/24 rule" means they may deny you if you've opened five or more cards in the past 24 months, even if your credit is excellent. This rule is not published, but it is widely reported by people who have been denied. If you've opened several cards recently, wait three to six months before explore for a Chase card.
How Chase Rewards Points and Miles Work
Chase uses two different reward currencies depending on the card. Most cards earn "Ultimate Rewards" points, which you can redeem for cash back (1 point = 1 cent), or transfer to travel partners like United, Southwest, or Hyatt. Premium cards like the Sapphire Preferred let you redeem points for travel through Chase's portal at a higher value — 1 point = 1.25 cents or more if you book flights or hotels through their website.
Some Chase cards earn airline miles directly (like the United card or Southwest card). These miles are worth roughly 1 cent each when you redeem them for flights, but the value varies depending on the route and how far in advance you book. Miles are harder to use than cash back because you have to book specific flights, and blackout dates or seat restrictions can limit your options.
Points and miles do not expire as long as your account is open and you use the card at least once per year. If you close the account, you have a limited time (usually 60 days) to redeem remaining points before they disappear. Points are not insured if Chase goes out of business — they are a liability on Chase's balance sheet, not a separate account.
Customer Service and Account Management
Chase offers customer service by phone (24/7 for most cards) and through their mobile app and website. You can view your balance, make payments, dispute charges, and request a credit limit increase online. Chase does not offer live chat support on most cards, which some people find less convenient than competitors like American Express or Capital One.
If you have a problem — a fraudulent charge, a rewards redemption issue, or a billing error — you can call the number on the back of your card. Chase typically resolves fraud claims within 10 business days and billing disputes within 30 to 60 days. Response times are generally faster than smaller issuers, but slower than some competitors.
Chase also offers purchase protection (covers items damaged or stolen within 120 days), extended warranty (adds one year to manufacturer warranties), and travel protections (covers trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical care). The exact benefits depend on which card you have — premium cards include more protections than basic cards.
When Chase Cards Make Sense and When They Don't
A Chase card makes sense if you have good credit (670 or higher), spend money in categories that match the card's bonus structure, and plan to use the card regularly. For example, if you eat out frequently and travel, the Sapphire Preferred's 3% on dining and travel could save you $100 to $200 per year after the annual fee. If you have no annual fee card and spend $20,000 per year on everyday purchases, 1.5% cash back adds up to $300 per year.
A Chase card does not make sense if your credit score is below 670, you've opened multiple cards recently, or you don't spend enough in bonus categories to justify an annual fee. It also may not make sense if you prefer live chat support or want a card that's easier to get approved for. In those cases, look at Discover, Capital One, American Express, or your own bank's cards.
Chase is not inherently better or worse than other issuers — they are a large, stable company with good rewards rates and solid customer service. The question is whether their specific cards fit your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chase have a card for people with fair credit?
Chase does not have a dedicated fair-credit card. Their basic cards (Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex) may approve people with scores around 650 to 670, but approval is not may provide. If your score is below 650, try Capital One, Discover, or your bank instead. Once your score reaches 670, you can try a basic Chase card with no annual fee.
What happens if I'm denied for a Chase card?
A denial does not hurt you beyond the hard inquiry (which lowers your score by a few points temporarily). You can call Chase's reconsideration line within 30 days to ask them to reconsider, though they rarely reverse a decision. Wait three to six months and try again if your credit has improved or you've opened fewer recent cards.
Can I use Chase points to pay my credit card bill?
Yes. You can redeem Ultimate Rewards points for a statement credit (1 point = 1 cent), which reduces your balance. This is the simplest way to use points if you don't want to transfer them to travel partners or book through the rewards portal.
Does Chase report to all three credit bureaus?
Yes. Chase reports your account activity (balance, payment history, credit limit) to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This helps build your credit history, but it also means missed payments or high balances will show up on all three reports.
What's the difference between Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve?
Sapphire Preferred costs $95 per year and earns 3% on dining and travel. Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year and earns 3% on dining and travel, plus includes a $300 annual travel credit and airport lounge access. Reserve is worth it only if you travel frequently and can use the travel credit. Most people are better off with Preferred.