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OK, so you were just out somewhere running errands or grabbing food when you heard someone say “I’ll use my Chime card” — and now you’re online trying to figure out what the heck that is, right? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to get into all that and then some, so sit back and get ready to learn how to better manage your money with what we think is the best checking, savings, and credit building account in the world.
What is a Chime Card?
When you hear someone talking about their Chime card, that can mean they’re referring to either their Chime Visa® Debit Card or their secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. Each one has its own personality and brings something different to the table. Let’s get into it.
Debit Card
Your Chime Debit Card is linked to your Chime Checking Account, so you can forget about confusing fees or overdraft charges. Our debit card works everywhere VisaⓇ debit cards are accepted. And unlike some prepaid cards and traditional bank accounts, there are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. Oh, and our fee-free ATM¹ network is bigger than the top 3 national banks combined.
Credit Builder
We offer a secured credit card called the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card². It’s a no annual fee, no interest credit card that helps you build your credit with everyday purchases and on-time payments³. There are also no credit checks or security deposits to apply, however, having a Chime Checking account and a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more is required. And the best part? Our members have seen a median credit score increase of 30 points on average ⁴. Learn more about how it works here.
So what is Chime anyway?
Chime is a financial technology company that offers an award-winning mobile banking app. Unique to Chime, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days early⁵, overdraft up to $200 fee-free⁶, send money to anyone, save money automatically⁷, and so much more. Learn how to deposit cash~ and everything else here.
~The retailer that receives your cash will be responsible to transfer the funds for deposit into your Chime Checking Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens.
Cool. So how do I get a Chime Card?
When you open a Chime Checking Account, you will receive a Chime Visa® Debit Card – and applying is fast and easy. You don’t need any sort of initial deposit or pay any fee to get your account — just follow the simple steps below.
- Visit chime.com and enter your personal info and complete the enrollment.
- Once enrollment is completed, we’ll send a Chime Visa® Debit Card in the mail to the address you provided. Your new debit card typically arrives in 7-10 business days.
- Download the mobile banking app, and log in. You can connect your existing bank account to transfer funds or set up direct deposit to your Checking Account. You can also log in at chime.com whenever you need it.
What about getting a Credit Builder Card?
All you need is a Chime Checking Account and qualifying direct deposits of $200 or more². We designed Credit Builder to work with the Chime Checking Account so you can move money instantly into your Credit Builder Secured account. Learn more about Credit Builder and how to use it to build credit here.
How do I activate my Chime Card?
There are two easy ways to activate your new Chime Card: via the Chime mobile app or over the phone.
Most people prefer to use the app, which will guide you through a short series of prompts and have you ready to spend within two minutes of signing in. All you have to do is:
- Download the app and sign in.
- Tap Card Status.
- Tap the green Activate button, and you’re all set.
If the app isn’t for you, don’t worry! You can call Chime at 1-844-244-6363 and activate your card by following the automated guided prompts.
As always, you can reach Chime Customer Support for immediate help if you run into any difficulty. We look forward to assisting you and welcoming you as a new Chime user!
Chime Card FAQs
Can I overdraft my Chime Debit Card?
As long as you are an eligible member, we’ll spot you when you need that little extra cushion to cover an expense. Chime’s SpotMe⁶ feature lets you make debit card purchases and cash withdrawals that overdraw your account with no overdraft fees. Members have limits to how much they can overdraft based on their SpotMe limit. Limits start at $20 and can be increased up to $200. Learn more here.
Do Chime cards have a spending limit?
For the Chime Visa® Debit Card, there’s no limit on the number of times that you can use your card for withdrawals or spending transactions. However, there is a limit on the amount of money that you can withdraw per day. Get the breakdown by transaction type below – and find more info on our help center here.
| Transaction Type | Frequency and/or Dollar Limit |
|---|---|
| ATM Withdrawal | $500 per day**, no limit to the number of times per day |
| Cash Back at Point-of-Sale (POS) | No limit to the number of times per day up to $500.00 per day** |
| Over The Counter (OTC) Withdrawals | No limit to the number of times per day up to $500.00 per day** |
| Card Purchases (Signature & PIN) | No limit to the number of times per day up to $2,500.00 per day |
**ATM owner-operators, merchants, and participating banks may impose their own lower limits on cash withdrawals.
For the Chime Credit Builder Card, there’s no pre-set credit limit. Instead, the money you move into your Credit Builder secured account sets your spending limit on the card. How much you can spend with Credit Builder is shown to you as “Available to Spend” in the Chime app.
How do I add money to my Chime Debit Card?
A Chime Debit Card works the same as most other debit cards; to add money to it, you’ll simply put money into your Chime Checking Account. Once you have money in your Chime Checking Account, your funds will be available to spend when you use your Chime Debit Card. Learn all the ways you can add money to your Chime Checking Account here.
Is Chime a credit card?
Chime is not a credit card. Chime is a financial technology company that offers a secured credit card called Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card2. Chime also offers a savings and checking account. Deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
What ATM is free to use for Chime?
We offer a large ATM network with no in-network ATM fees. Our ATM network works with both MoneyPass and VisaPlus Alliance, which provides more than 60,000+ fee-free ATMs¹. We have an ATM Finder on our website and mobile app. Learn more here.
What is the Chime metal card?
The Chime metal card is a limited-edition version of our Chime Credit Builder Visa® Secured Credit Card. In order for a Chime Member to receive a limited-edition Metal Chime Visa® Credit Card terms and conditions apply. Learn more here.
Conclusion
Chime offers great solutions for a variety of financial situations. From helpful features like fee-free overdrafts⁶, getting paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit⁵ to using Credit Builder to help you build your credit with everyday purchases and on-time payments³, Chime has what you need to feel better about your finances. Get started today.