What Chase credit cards are and who offers them

Chase is one of the largest credit card issuers in the United States, part of JPMorgan Chase & Co. When you get a Chase credit card, you are borrowing money from Chase Bank that you agree to pay back. Chase offers dozens of different cards — some designed for everyday spending, some for travel rewards, some for people rebuilding credit — but they all work the same basic way: you make purchases, Chase sends you a bill, and you pay it back.

Chase cards come with different features depending on which card you choose. Some offer cash back on purchases. Some give you points toward airline tickets or hotel stays. Some charge an annual fee; others do not. The card you may have access to for depends on your credit history, income, and how you use credit.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase offers credit cards for different spending patterns and credit histories, from cards for people new to credit to premium cards with travel rewards.
  • Your credit score and payment history determine which Chase cards you can get and what interest rate you will pay.
  • You can compare Chase cards by their rewards structure, annual fee, and introductory offers before you decide which one fits your situation.
  • Chase cards report your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus, which means on-time payments help your credit score and missed payments hurt it.
  • You manage your Chase card through their website or mobile app, where you can see your balance, make payments, and track rewards.

How your credit score affects which Chase card you can get

Chase looks at your credit score and credit history before deciding whether to issue you a card and what interest rate to offer. Your credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes how reliably you have paid debts in the past. The higher your score, the better the cards and rates Chase will offer you.

If your credit score is above 750, you will likely may have access to for Chase's premium cards with high rewards rates and valuable perks. If your score is between 670 and 750, you can get most of Chase's mid-tier cards. If your score is below 670, Chase has cards designed for people rebuilding credit, though the rewards and features are more limited. If you have no credit history at all, you may need to start with a secured card, where you put down a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit.

Chase will also look at how much debt you already carry, how many credit accounts you have open, and whether you have missed any payments recently. A single missed payment can lower your score by 100 points or more, which is why your payment history matters more than anything else.

Common Chase card types and what they reward

Chase groups its cards into a few main categories. Cash back cards give you a percentage of your spending back as cash — for example, 1.5% cash back on all purchases, or higher percentages in specific categories like groceries or gas. Travel rewards cards give you points for every dollar spent, and you redeem those points for flights, hotel stays, or other travel expenses. Business cards are designed for self-employed people and small business owners and often have higher spending limits and business-specific rewards.

Chase also offers secured cards for people with limited or damaged credit history. With a secured card, you deposit money into a savings account that Chase holds, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. As you make on-time payments, Chase may upgrade you to an unsecured card and return your deposit.

Within each category, Chase offers cards at different reward levels. Some cards have no annual fee but lower rewards rates. Others charge $95 to $550 per year but offer higher rewards, travel credits, or other perks that can make the fee worthwhile if you spend enough.

How rewards and interest rates work on Chase cards

If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest — you straightforward get the rewards. This is the most valuable way to use a credit card. If you carry a balance from month to month, Chase charges you interest on that balance. The interest rate depends on your credit score and the specific card. Rates typically range from 16% to 27% annually, though some cards for people with poor credit charge higher rates.

Rewards come in two forms: cash back or points. Cash back is straightforward — you earn a percentage of what you spend and can take it as a statement credit or a check. Points are more flexible but require more attention. You earn points for purchases, and you redeem them through Chase's website for flights, hotels, gift cards, or cash. The value of a point varies depending on how you use it — a point might be worth 1 cent if you redeem it for cash, but worth 1.5 cents if you use it for a flight through Chase's travel portal.

Many Chase cards offer introductory rates — for example, 0% interest for 12 months on purchases, or a bonus of 50,000 points if you spend $3,000 in the first three months. These offers are designed to attract new customers, but they expire. After the introductory period ends, the regular interest rate and rewards rate take over.

What happens when you miss a payment or carry a balance

If you miss a payment, Chase reports it to the credit bureaus, and your credit score drops. A payment that is 30 days late stays on your credit report for seven years. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, Chase may charge you a late fee (usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment, more for repeat offenses) and a higher interest rate called a penalty rate.

If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily. Chase calculates interest by multiplying your balance by your interest rate and dividing by 365. If you owe $1,000 at 20% interest, you pay roughly $5.50 in interest per day. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest you pay, and the harder it becomes to pay off the card.

If you fall behind on payments, Chase may close your account and send your debt to a collection agency. This damages your credit score severely and can affect your ability to borrow money for years.

How to manage your Chase card and track your spending

Chase offers a website and mobile app where you can view your balance, make payments, and track your rewards. You can set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month without you having to remember. You can also set up alerts that notify you when your balance reaches a certain amount or when your payment is due.

Most Chase cards come with tools to help you understand your spending. The app shows you how much you have spent in each category (groceries, dining, travel, and so on) and compares it to previous months. Some cards let you set spending limits or freeze your card temporarily if you lose it.

Chase also offers purchase protection on most cards, which means if you buy something and it is damaged or stolen within a certain period, Chase will reimburse you. Many cards also include extended warranty protection, which extends the manufacturer's warranty on items you buy. These protections are valuable but have limits and conditions — read your card's benefits guide to understand what is covered.

Comparing Chase cards to cards from other issuers

Chase is not the only credit card issuer. American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and many banks and credit unions also issue cards. When you are deciding which card to get, compare the rewards rate, annual fee, introductory offers, and protections across issuers, not just within Chase.

A card with a higher rewards rate but a $95 annual fee may cost you more than a card with a lower rewards rate and no fee, depending on how much you spend. A card with a 0% introductory rate on balance transfers may be better than a card with a high cash back rate if you are trying to pay down existing debt. The best card for you depends on your specific situation — how much you spend, what you spend on, and whether you can pay your balance in full each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for a Chase card?

Chase usually makes a decision within minutes of your process. You will see a message on the screen telling you whether you are approved, denied, or pending further review. If you are approved, your card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you are pending, Chase may call you to verify information, which can take a few days.

What is the difference between a Visa and a Mastercard from Chase?

Visa and Mastercard are payment networks, not issuers. Chase issues the card, and Visa or Mastercard processes the transaction when you use it. From your perspective, they work almost identically — both are accepted at most merchants, both offer fraud protection, and both report to credit bureaus. The rewards and features depend on the specific Chase card, not on whether it is Visa or Mastercard.

Can I have more than one Chase card?

Yes. Many people have multiple Chase cards to take advantage of different rewards structures — for example, one card for travel and one for cash back. However, each new card process triggers a hard inquiry into your credit, which can lower your score slightly. Chase also has rules about how many cards you can open in a certain time period, so opening too many cards quickly may result in denial.

What happens to my rewards if I close my Chase card?

Your rewards do not disappear when you close the card. You can redeem them before or after you close the account. However, some cards offer bonus points for keeping the card open for a full year, so closing early may cost you that bonus. Also, closing a card lowers your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your credit score slightly.

Do I have to use my Chase card every month?

No, but it is a good idea to use it occasionally. If you never use your card, Chase may close it for inactivity. Also, using your card responsibly — making small purchases and paying them off in full — helps your credit score. If you have a card with an annual fee and you do not use it, you are paying for nothing, so consider closing it or switching to a card with no fee.