No, the Chime Credit Builder Card does not work at ATMs

The Chime Credit Builder Card is a credit card, not a debit card or bank account card. Credit cards do not dispense cash at ATMs. You cannot withdraw money from an ATM using this card, and attempting to do so will be declined.

This is true for nearly all credit cards, not just Chime's. The card is designed to build your credit history by reporting your purchases and payments to the three major credit bureaus. It works only for purchases at merchants and online retailers.

If you need cash, you will need a separate debit card or bank account card. Many people who use the Chime Credit Builder Card also have a Chime checking account with a debit card, which does work at ATMs. But the credit card itself cannot access cash.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chime Credit Builder Card is a credit card only and cannot be used to withdraw cash at any ATM.
  • Credit cards and debit cards serve different purposes — credit cards build your credit history, while debit cards access money you already have.
  • If you have a Chime checking account, your debit card for that account will work at ATMs, but it is separate from the credit card.
  • Using the credit card for purchases and paying the bill on time is how you build credit, not by withdrawing cash.

Why credit cards do not work at ATMs

A credit card borrows money on your behalf. When you swipe it at a store, the card company pays the merchant, and you owe that money back later. An ATM withdrawal would mean the card company is lending you cash directly, which creates a different kind of transaction called a cash advance.

Most credit card companies do allow cash advances, but they charge high fees and interest rates that start immediately — often 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, plus a daily interest rate much higher than the rate on regular purchases. Because of these costs, most card companies do not enable ATM withdrawals on cards designed for building credit, especially cards aimed at people new to credit.

Chime's Credit Builder Card does not offer cash advances at all. The card is meant to help you build a credit history through regular, manageable purchases — not to serve as a cash source.

What to do if you need cash

If you have a Chime checking account along with the Credit Builder Card, use your Chime debit card at any ATM. Chime offers access to over 60,000 ATMs through the MoneyLion and Allpoint networks, plus your own bank's ATM if you have one. There is no fee for withdrawals at these ATMs.

If you do not have a Chime checking account, you will need to open one or use a different bank's debit card or ATM card. The Credit Builder Card alone cannot provide cash access.

Some people also use their credit card at a store to make a purchase, then ask the cashier for cash back. This is not possible with the Chime Credit Builder Card — it is a credit-only card and does not support cash-back transactions.

How the Chime Credit Builder Card actually works

The card is designed for one purpose: to build your credit score. You make small purchases on the card — groceries, gas, a coffee — and then pay the bill in full each month. Chime reports this activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, the three credit bureaus that calculate your credit score.

Over time, a record of on-time payments and low credit card balances raises your score. This is how you become may be able to access for better credit cards, lower interest rates on loans, and other financial products. The card itself has no annual fee and a low credit limit (usually $200 to $500 to start), which makes it safe for people rebuilding credit or using credit for the first time.

The card does not give you cash access because that would defeat the purpose. Cash advances are expensive and do not help your credit score the same way regular purchases do. Chime keeps the card simple and focused on credit building.

Alternatives if you need a card that works at ATMs

If you need a single card that both builds credit and lets you withdraw cash, you have limited options. Most credit cards that work at ATMs charge high fees for cash advances. A better approach is to use two separate cards: the Chime Credit Builder Card for purchases (to build credit) and a debit card for cash access.

If you do not have a checking account, opening one — even a basic account at a bank or credit union — gives you a debit card that works at ATMs. This is usually free and takes less than an hour online or in person.

Some secured credit cards from other companies do offer cash advance options, but they charge fees and interest that make this expensive. For someone building credit, it is better to stick with the Chime Credit Builder Card for purchases and use a debit card for cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a cash advance on the Chime Credit Builder Card?

No. Chime does not offer cash advances on this card. The card is designed only for purchases at merchants and online. If you need cash, you must use a debit card or visit a bank branch.

Will trying to use the card at an ATM hurt my credit score?

No. A declined transaction at an ATM does not affect your credit score. Your score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, and the length of your credit history — not on declined transactions.

What if I have both a Chime checking account and the Credit Builder Card?

Use your Chime debit card (from the checking account) at ATMs to withdraw cash. Use the Credit Builder Card for purchases to build your credit. They are two separate cards with different purposes, and both can be active at the same time.

Can I transfer money from the credit card to my bank account?

No. A credit card and a bank account are separate. You cannot transfer a credit card balance to a checking account. You can only pay your credit card bill from your bank account, not the other way around.