How to Apply for a Chase Credit Card

Chase is a popular card issuer that's behind some of the best credit cards on the market. If this is your first time applying for a Chase credit card, you may be wondering how the application process works.

The application process isn't difficult, but it goes faster when you know what you're doing. Your account opening is also more likely to be a success if you know about Chase's usual rules for approving applicants. Here's exactly how to apply for a Chase credit card and how to make sure you pick the right new card.

What to know before applying for a Chase credit card

Before you think about applying for a Chase credit card, you need to know about Chase's 5/24 rule. Chase almost always denies applicants who have opened five or more credit cards within the last 24 months.

Check how many credit cards you've opened in that timespan. If you won't pass the 5/24 rule, it's better to wait and apply later. This is one of the strictest application rules of any credit card company. The only known way to get around it is if you've been pre-approved for a Chase credit card.

Your credit score is also important. Most of Chase's credit cards are aimed at those who have a good credit score or better. If your FICO® Score isn't at least in the mid-600s, you may want to focus on improving it first.

How to apply for a Chase credit card

Applying for a Chase credit card is a quick process. You just need to follow these steps:

Click the apply option on the card page.

Note that if you already have a Chase account, the application process will be faster if you sign in first. If you do, Chase will fill out parts of the application with the information it already has for you.

Enter all the required information in the application form.

To get through the application process smoothly, you should have the following ready:

Personal information: Name, date of birth, Social Security number, and mother's maiden name
Contact information: Mailing address (you must use a physical address and not a PO Box), email address, and phone number
Financial information: Type of employment, annual gross income, whether you rent or own, and your monthly rent/mortgage payment

Check the box to accept the application terms and click "Submit."

Your application will then be processed.

What happens after applying for a Chase credit card

After you submit your application, Chase could instantly approve or deny it. Chase could also put your application under further review.

An instant approval is obviously the best-case scenario, so we don't need to go over what to do there. Here's what to do for the two other responses to your Chase credit card application:

Denial: Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason for the denial. You can also call the Chase reconsideration line to ask why you were denied and see if the denial can be overturned. With the right approach and a little luck, a Chase representative may change the decision and approve your application.
Under review: Your application has not yet been approved or denied. Chase will send you a letter with its decision, but you can also call in to check your application status. You may want to wait three to five days to give Chase's system time to potentially approve your application. If you end up with a denied application, you can follow the same procedure of calling and asking the representative to reconsider.

Selecting a Chase credit card

Chase has so many credit cards that it's wise to compare your options. The Chase Sapphire cards are popular among travelers because they're part of the Ultimate Rewards point program. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely versatile, and you can use them for all kinds of travel bookings.

You can also choose from cards that earn cash back on every purchase, cards with a 0% intro APR, and cards that don't charge an annual fee. If you're a business owner, there are also several business credit card options available through Chase.

Think about what type of rewards card you want, a travel credit card, cash back card or a Chase business card. To help you pick a card, here are recommendations on the best Chase credit cards for different financial goals:

Cash back in rotating bonus categories: Chase Freedom Flex℠
Flat-rate cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Versatile travel points: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Luxury travel perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Business spending: Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

Getting your Chase card

The right Chase credit card can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value every year. All you need to do is figure out which card will work best for you and check that you meet Chase's typical requirements. If so, you can apply for a Chase credit card and likely get approved.