What the Chase Upgrade Card Is
The Chase Upgrade Card is a cash-back credit card issued by Chase Bank that targets people rebuilding credit or new to credit cards. It offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, and it reports to all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—which means your payment history can help build your credit score over time.
Unlike some cash-back cards, the Upgrade Card does not require an excellent credit score to open an account. Chase markets it to people with fair or limited credit history, though approval is not may provide and depends on your individual credit report and income.
The card comes with a physical card you can use at stores and online, and you manage the account through Chase's mobile app or website. There is no sign-up bonus, no rewards categories, and no special perks—the card is straightforward: cash back on everything you spend, no annual cost.
Key Takeaways
- The Chase Upgrade Card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, making it a flat-rate option for people new to credit cards.
- Chase reports your payment activity to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments can help raise your credit score over months.
- The card is designed for people with fair or limited credit history, though approval depends on your credit report and income at the time you open the account.
- Cash back is deposited into your Chase checking or savings account once per month, or you can use it to pay your card balance.
- You can request a credit limit increase after six months of responsible use, which may help your credit utilization ratio.
How to Open a Chase Upgrade Card Account
You can open an account online at Chase.com or through the Chase mobile app. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. Chase will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points.
You will receive a decision within seconds or within a few business days, depending on whether Chase needs to verify information. If approved, your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary card number to use online right away while you wait for the physical card to arrive.
If you are denied, you can call Chase at the number on the rejection letter to ask why and whether you can reapply. Some people are denied due to recent negative marks on their credit report or insufficient income; waiting a few months and reapplying sometimes succeeds.
Activating Your Card and Making Your First Purchase
When your physical card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. You can set up through the Chase app, on Chase.com, or by calling the number on the back of the card. set up takes seconds and requires you to verify your identity.
Once activated, you can use the card at any merchant that accepts Visa (the Upgrade Card is a Visa). Your first purchase posts to your account within one to three business days. Cash back accrues on every purchase and is calculated at the end of each billing cycle.
Set up automatic payments from your checking account to avoid missed payments. Missed payments damage your credit score and trigger late fees. Most people set their payment to the full balance due, which also means you pay no interest.
Understanding Cash Back and How It Reaches Your Account
Every purchase you make earns 1.5% cash back. If you spend $100, you earn $1.50. The cash back is not a discount at checkout—it accumulates in your account and is posted once per month, usually around the same day each month.
You have two choices for your cash back: deposit it into a linked Chase checking or savings account, or use it to pay down your card balance. Most people choose to have it deposited into their checking account so they can use it however they want. You can change this preference anytime in the app or on Chase.com.
Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the account, you forfeit any unposted cash back, so withdraw or explore it to your balance before closing.
Managing Your Balance and Avoiding Interest Charges
The Chase Upgrade Card charges interest if you carry a balance from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is not fixed and depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account. Chase will tell you your APR in your welcome materials and on your account page.
To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. Your statement balance is the total of all purchases made during your billing cycle, which is usually 30 days. Chase gives you a grace period of at least 21 days from the end of your billing cycle to pay without interest.
If you cannot pay the full balance, pay at least the minimum payment by the due date to avoid a late fee and credit damage. However, any unpaid balance will accrue interest at your APR. For example, if your APR is 18% and you carry a $500 balance, you will owe about $7.50 in interest that month.
Building Credit With the Upgrade Card
The Chase Upgrade Card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means your payment history—whether you pay on time, how much of your credit limit you use, and whether you miss payments—becomes part of your credit file and affects your credit score.
On-time payments are the single biggest factor in your credit score. If you pay your full balance or at least the minimum by the due date every month for six months, you will likely see your score rise. People with fair credit (typically 580 to 669) often see a 20- to 50-point improvement within six months of responsible use.
Your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your credit limit you use each month—also matters. If your credit limit is $500 and you spend $250, your utilization is 50%. Keeping it below 30% helps your score. After six months of on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase, which lowers your utilization ratio and further helps your score.
Requesting a Credit Limit Increase
After six months of on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase through the Chase app or on Chase.com. Go to your account settings, find the credit limit section, and select "Request a credit limit increase." Chase will ask whether you want a hard inquiry (which temporarily lowers your score) or a soft inquiry (which does not affect your score).
If you choose a soft inquiry, Chase uses only information it already has about you. If you choose a hard inquiry, Chase pulls your credit report again and may approve a larger increase. Many people choose the soft inquiry first to avoid another hard inquiry on their credit report.
Chase usually responds within minutes to a few business days. If approved, your new limit takes effect when ready. A higher limit lowers your credit utilization ratio, which can raise your credit score by a few points.
Paying Your Bill and Setting Up Automatic Payments
You can pay your Chase Upgrade Card bill through the Chase app, on Chase.com, or by phone. You can also pay by mail by sending a check to the address on your statement, though this takes longer and risks late payments.
The easiest method is to set up automatic payments. In the app or on Chase.com, go to your account settings and select "Automatic Payments." Choose whether you want to pay the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month. Choose a due date that works with your paycheck.
Automatic payments post on the date you choose, so set them for a day when you know money will be in your account. If your payment bounces due to insufficient funds, Chase charges a returned payment fee and reports the late payment to the credit bureaus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to open a Chase Upgrade Card?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but the card is designed for people with fair credit (typically 580 to 669) or limited credit history. People with excellent credit may be denied because the card is not aimed at them. Your actual approval depends on your full credit report, income, and recent credit activity.
Can I use the card internationally?
Yes, the Upgrade Card is a Visa and works at merchants worldwide. However, Chase charges a 1% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States. If you travel frequently, this fee adds up, so compare it against other cards before deciding.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment triggers a late fee (usually $25 to $35 for the first missed payment) and is reported to the credit bureaus. Your credit score drops when ready, and the missed payment stays on your credit report for seven years. If you miss a payment, call Chase right away to make it and ask whether they will waive the late fee.
Can I close my Chase Upgrade Card account?
Yes, you can close the account anytime by calling Chase or through the app. However, closing the account removes it from your credit report after seven years, which can lower your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If you are building credit, keeping the account open is usually better.
How long does it take to see my credit score improve?
Most people see a small improvement within one to two months of on-time payments, and a noticeable improvement (20 to 50 points) within six months. The exact timeline depends on your starting score and credit history. Checking your score monthly through free tools like Credit Karma or your bank's app helps you track progress.