Chase is a popular card issuer that's behind some of the best credit cards we've seen. 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:
1. 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.
2. 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
3. Check the box to accept the application terms and click "Submit."
Your application will then be processed.
Choosing a credit card
Don't you wish you could take a peek inside a credit card expert's wallet sometimes? Just to see the cards they carry? Well, you can't look in anybody's wallet, but you can check out our experts' favorite credit cards. Get started here:
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 travel bookings.
You can also choose from cards that earn cash back on purchases, 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.
Our favorite cash back Chase credit cards
For more of our favorite cash back credit cards, visit our guide: Best Cash Back Credit Cards
As of Aug. 11, 2022
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| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. |
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Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement: |
Credit Rating Requirement: |
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$200 |
Up to $300 cash back |
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1% - 5% cash back |
1.5% - 5% cash back |
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Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months |
Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months |
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Regular APR: 16.49% - 25.24% Variable |
Regular APR: 16.49% - 25.24% Variable |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Our favorite travel Chase credit cards
For more of our favorite travel cards, check out our list: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
As of Aug. 11, 2022
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| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. |
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement: |
Credit Rating Requirement: |
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60,000 points |
60,000 points |
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1x - 5x points |
1x - 10x points |
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Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable |
Regular APR: 18.49% - 25.49% Variable |
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Annual Fee: $95 |
Annual Fee: $550 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Show Less
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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.
Still have questions?
Some other questions we've answered:
About the Author
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
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