Key takeaways

Getting preapproved for a credit card helps assess your chances of being approved for a card without impacting your credit score.
Chase offers several preapproval options, including a preapproval tool and specialized preapproved offers.
Most Chase cards require good to excellent credit for approval, so make sure your credit score meets the requirements before submitting an application.
Receiving preapproval for a Chase card doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be approved when you submit your application, but does suggest that approval is likely.

Chase offers some of the best rewards credit cards available, but qualifying for one isn’t necessarily easy. Most Chase credit cards require good to excellent credit for approval, and the Chase 5/24 rule restricts how many new cards a consumer can open within a specific time frame. In other words, if you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, you’re unlikely to be approved for a new Chase card.

Fortunately, there are several ways to check if you’re preapproved for a Chase credit card. Chase offers a tool on its website that allows you to easily verify your preapproval status for any credit card offers. If you’re an existing Chase cardholder, you might also receive targeted offers directly in your online account or through the mail. Alternatively, Bankrate’s CardMatch™ tool can help you identify which offers you may be preapproved for.

Preapproval vs. prequalify for Chase credit cards

Understanding the difference between preapproval and prequalification for Chase credit cards can help you navigate the application process more effectively.

Prequalification involves a soft credit check that provides an estimate of the credit card options you may be eligible for based on basic information provided. It does not guarantee approval or set the terms of the offer in stone.

On the other hand, preapproval indicates that Chase has conducted a more thorough review of your credit profile. Being preapproved means you have met specific criteria set by Chase, which increases the likelihood of approval when you submit a formal application. It also provides more specific details on the terms of the offer, such as the credit limit and APR.

How to get preapproved for a Chase card

Keep in mind that Chase will only conduct a soft inquiry on your credit report to check if you’re prequalified for a card offer. Unlike a hard inquiry, which can negatively affect your credit score, a soft inquiry has no impact on your credit score.

Additionally, remember that a prequalified Chase offer does not guarantee card approval. This step only indicates that you are likely eligible for a Chase credit card based on your income, credit history and other factors. To get a Chase credit card, you still need to apply for the specific card you’re interested in, which will involve a hard credit check.

On Chase’s website

Getting preapproved for a Chase credit card is as simple as checking the issuer’s site to see which card(s) you’re preapproved for. On this page, just enter personal details like your first and last name, street address and Social Security number. Then click “Find My Offers” to see if there are any cards you’re preapproved for.

It’s important to note that Chase sometimes removes its preapproved offers page, complicating the process of checking for offers. However, it’s not impossible if you know where to look.

Through your Chase account

If you’re an existing Chase cardholder, you can check for preapproved credit card offers once you log in to your account. To do this, follow these steps:

Log in to your Chase account via desktop or mobile.
Click on “Explore products” on the main navigation menu.
Select “Just for you” to view your current targeted offers from Chase.
Browse for any credit card prequalifications.

In your mailbox

In addition to targeting current users through their Chase accounts, Chase is also known for reaching out to potential cardholders via regular mail. Stay alert for any mailers promoting popular Chase cards and make sure to look for prequalification language.

CardMatch offers

Another way to determine if you prequalify for one of the issuer’s credit cards is by using Bankrate’s CardMatch™ tool. Like other prequalification tools, CardMatch performs a soft pull on your credit, which means there’s no effect on your credit score.

In this tool, you’ll enter basic information like your name, street address, employment status, income, email address and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You’ll then be matched with qualifying card offers from a variety of issuers, including Chase.

A major benefit of taking this route is that, even if you don’t qualify for a Chase card, you might find an offer from another issuer that is better for you. Keep in mind, however, that a preapproved offer in CardMatch doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved for a card when you apply.

Best Chase cards for preapproval

There are many top Chase credit cards you might be targeted or preapproved for, including:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are ideal for consumers who want to earn flexible travel rewards (or luxury travel perks), whereas the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are better suited for anyone wanting to earn cash back without paying an annual fee. The Chase Slate Edge, on the other hand, is best for consumers interested in transferring a balance or paying off a large purchase over time.

How to increase your chances of preapproval for a Chase card

There are several steps you can take to increase your chances of being prequalified — and approved — for a Chase credit card:

Check your credit score. Before applying for any credit card, make sure you check your credit score. When it comes to Chase, you’ll likely need at least good credit (670 or higher) to qualify for cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Slate Edge. To qualify for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll likely need very good (740 or higher) to excellent credit (800 or higher). However, you’ll have the best odds of approval for any Chase card if your credit score is in the very good to excellent range. If your credit score falls below this range, you may need to improve your credit before you can qualify for a Chase card.
Pay your bills early or on time. Your payment history is the most important factor when determining your FICO Score. Paying all your bills early or on time is a smart way to maintain a good credit score.
Keep your credit utilization low. The second most important factor that makes up your FICO Score is credit utilization — or the amount you owe in relation to your credit limit. It’s generally recommended to keep your credit utilization below 30 percent, but there’s no hard and fast rule that guarantees success.
Count all of your household income in applications. Individuals over the age of 21 can list their household income when applying for credit, which can be helpful for spouses who stay home or don’t work but have access to income from elsewhere. With that in mind, make sure you’re listing your household income — not just your personal income — on credit card applications.
Don’t apply for too many credit cards over a short span of time. Finally, remember that you’re unlikely to get approved for a Chase credit card if you’ve applied for too many new cards recently. If you’ve gotten more than five new cards in the last 24 months, you may need to wait a year or longer to apply for the Chase credit card you want.

What to do if you don’t get preapproved

There are still several steps you can take to improve your chances of obtaining a Chase card in the future if you don’t get approval right away. First, review your credit report to ensure that there are no errors or discrepancies that may have impacted the decision.

You can also explore other credit card options that may better match your current financial situation and credit profile. Research different credit card issuers and their offerings to find a card that aligns with your goals and needs.

If necessary, you can also reach out to Chase’s customer service for more information on the application process and potential reasons behind the lack of preapproval.

The bottom line

Getting preapproved for a Chase credit card allows you to assess your likelihood of approval without a hard inquiry on your credit report. However, keep in mind that preapproval does not guarantee you’ll receive the card you desire.

So, should you get preapproved for a Chase card? If you plan to apply for a card anyway, then you have nothing to lose. Remember that you’ll get a hard credit inquiry each time you apply for a card, and your credit score will take a small but temporary hit — which is why using the preapproval process is a smart way to gauge your odds of approval without impacting your credit score.

*Information about the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Slate Edge has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

Hands holding a cellphone with a checkmark in the top right corner of it. — Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate

Home

About Me

How to get preapproved for a Chase credit card