Chase credit cards work well for some people and poorly for others — it depends on your spending habits, credit history, and what you're trying to build

Chase is one of the largest credit card issuers in the United States, so you'll see their cards everywhere. That size means they offer cards at many different credit levels — from cards for people rebuilding credit to premium cards with high annual fees. But "big and available" doesn't mean "right for you." The real question is whether a specific Chase card matches what you actually spend money on and what you're trying to accomplish with credit.

This guide walks through the kinds of Chase cards that exist, what they cost, what they reward, and the tradeoffs you make by choosing one. By the end, you'll know whether Chase is worth considering for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase offers cards for people with no credit history, damaged credit, and excellent credit, so the right answer depends on where you are now, not on Chase as a company.
  • Most Chase rewards cards charge an annual fee between $95 and $550, and you only come out ahead if your spending patterns match what the card rewards.
  • Chase's approval process is faster than many competitors, but they also deny people more often if your credit score is below 670 or you have recent missed payments.
  • Chase cards report to all three credit bureaus, which helps you build credit history, but their customer service is phone-only and wait times are often long.
  • The best Chase card for you might not exist — many people save money by choosing a card from a different issuer that matches their actual spending.

What Chase cards actually cost you

Chase cards fall into three pricing tiers. No-annual-fee cards (like the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Sapphire Preferred) charge nothing to hold them — you only pay interest if you carry a balance. Mid-tier cards (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred) charge $95 to $150 per year. Premium cards (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve) charge $395 to $550 per year.

The annual fee is not the only cost. Chase cards also charge interest on balances you don't pay off each month. The interest rate varies by card and by your creditworthiness, but typically ranges from 18% to 27% annually. If you carry a balance, interest will cost you far more than the annual fee ever will.

Some Chase cards offer a 0% introductory APR period — usually 6 to 21 months on new purchases or balance transfers, depending on the card. This is useful if you have a specific expense you're planning to pay off over time, but it's not a reason to choose a card. When the introductory period ends, the regular interest rate kicks in.

How Chase rewards work and whether they're worth it

Most Chase cards earn rewards in the form of cash back (a percentage of what you spend) or points (which you redeem for travel, gift cards, or statement credits). The amount you earn depends on what you buy. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex gives 5% cash back on groceries (up to $1,500 per year, then 1%), 3% on gas and transit, and 1% on everything else. The Chase Sapphire Preferred gives 3 points per dollar on dining and travel, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Whether rewards are worth it depends on whether you spend money in the categories the card rewards. If you spend $500 a month on groceries and the card gives 5% cash back, you earn $30 per month, or $360 per year. If the card has no annual fee, you're ahead. If it has a $95 annual fee, you're still ahead by $265. But if you spend $100 a month on groceries and $3,000 a month on things the card doesn't reward well, you earn only $60 per year in rewards — and the annual fee wipes out most of that gain.

Chase points are worth less than cash back because you have to redeem them for something. A point is typically worth 0.5 to 2 cents, depending on how you use it. If a card says you earn 3 points per dollar on dining, that's worth 1.5 to 6 cents per dollar if you redeem the points well — but only 1.5 cents per dollar if you redeem them poorly. Cash back is simpler: 1% cash back is always worth 1 cent per dollar.

Chase's credit approval standards

Chase approves people faster than many other issuers — you often get a decision within minutes of submitting an application. But they also have strict credit requirements. If your credit score is below 670, Chase will likely deny you. If you have a missed payment in the last 12 months, or if you've applied for more than two credit products in the last 30 days, your chances drop significantly.

Chase also looks at your income and existing debt. If you're applying for a card with a high credit limit, they want to see that you earn enough to handle it. If you already have several Chase cards, they may deny you for a new one even if your credit is good, because they don't want to extend too much credit to one person.

If Chase denies you, you can call their reconsideration line within 30 days and ask them to review the decision. Sometimes they'll approve you if you explain your situation or offer to accept a lower credit limit. But if your credit score is genuinely below 670, reconsideration rarely works.

How Chase cards affect your credit history

Chase reports your account to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means opening a Chase card will show up on your credit report and affect your credit score. For the first month or two, your score usually drops slightly because a new account lowers your average account age and a hard inquiry appears on your report. After that, the card helps your score by adding to your credit mix (if you don't have other cards) and by lowering your credit utilization (if you use it responsibly).

Chase also reports your payment history every month. If you pay on time, your score improves over time. If you miss a payment, Chase reports it to all three bureaus, and your score drops significantly. This is true of every credit card, but it's worth knowing because Chase's large customer base means their reports are weighted heavily by credit scoring models.

Chase customer service and what happens when something goes wrong

Chase customer service is available by phone 24/7, but wait times are often 30 minutes or longer, especially during business hours. Chase does not offer live chat or email support for most issues. If you need to dispute a charge, report fraud, or ask about your account, you have to call.

Chase's fraud protection is standard: if someone uses your card without permission, you're liable for no more than $50 (and usually $0 if you report it quickly). They also offer purchase protection on some cards, which reimburses you if something you buy is damaged or stolen within a certain time period. These protections are useful, but they're not unique to Chase — most major issuers offer them.

One common complaint about Chase is that they close accounts without warning if you don't use them. If you open a Chase card and never use it, Chase may close it after 6 to 12 months of inactivity. This can hurt your credit score because it lowers your total available credit. To avoid this, use the card at least once every few months, even if it's just for a small purchase.

When Chase is a good choice and when it isn't

Chase works well if you spend heavily in categories they reward, have a credit score above 700, and want a card from a large, stable issuer. For example, if you spend $2,000 a month on groceries and dining, a Chase Freedom card could earn you $600 to $900 per year in cash back — enough to justify an annual fee and then some.

Chase is a poor choice if your spending doesn't match their rewards structure, your credit score is below 670, or you can't afford to pay your balance in full each month. If you carry a balance, the interest you pay will dwarf any rewards you earn. If your credit is damaged, you'll be denied, and a denial will hurt your score further.

Chase is also not the only option. Other issuers like American Express, Discover, and Capital One offer cards with similar rewards structures, lower annual fees, or more lenient credit requirements. Before you choose Chase, compare it to at least one other issuer that offers a card matching your spending patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will opening a Chase card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only temporarily. A hard inquiry and a new account will lower your score by 5 to 10 points for the first month or two. After that, the card helps your score by adding to your credit mix and lowering your utilization ratio — as long as you pay on time and don't max out the card.

What's the difference between Chase points and cash back?

Cash back is a fixed percentage of what you spend — 1% cash back is always worth 1 cent per dollar. Points are variable: their value depends on how you redeem them. A point might be worth 0.5 cents if you redeem it poorly, or 2 cents if you redeem it well. Cash back is simpler if you don't want to think about redemption strategy.

Can I get a Chase card if I have bad credit?

Most Chase cards require a credit score of at least 670. If your score is lower, you'll likely be denied. Chase does offer the Secured Credit Card, which requires a cash deposit instead of relying on your credit score, but it has a $25 annual fee and no rewards.

What happens if I don't use my Chase card?

Chase may close the account after 6 to 12 months of inactivity. When they close it, your available credit drops, which can lower your credit score. To keep the account open, use it at least once every few months — even a small purchase counts.

Is Chase better than other credit card companies?

Chase is larger and more stable than many competitors, but "better" depends on your situation. If a different issuer offers a card that matches your spending better or has lower fees, that card is better for you. Compare Chase to at least one other issuer before deciding.