Chime cards are available exclusively to Chime members and help you manage your everyday finances. The Chime Visa® Debit Card is perfect for spending and withdrawing your hard-earned money from your Chime Checking Account, while the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card can help you establish or build your credit.
Below, we’ll explain what a Chime card is, how they work, and how you can get your own.
Types of Chime cards
So, what is a Chime card? A Chime card is one of two cards available to members that allow them to make purchases, either from their checking account or on a secured credit card account.
The Chime Debit Card is standard for all Chime Checking Account members, and Credit Builder is available to members who have received a qualifying direct deposit and applied for the card.¹
Chime Debit Card
Your Chime Debit Card is linked to your checking account. You get one automatically when you open a Chime Checking Account!
The debit card works everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including in-person and online transactions. You can even add the Chime Debit Card to platforms like Google Pay™ or Apple Pay™ and pay from your phone.
Here are a few perks of the Chime Debit Card:
- Access to more than 50,000 fee-free ATMs² – that’s more than the top 3 national banks combined³.
- No monthly fees or maintenance fees.
- Real-time transaction alerts and in-app card freezes.
- With SpotMe® turned on, we’ll spot you up to $200⁷ on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals with no overdraft fees.
Chime Credit Builder
The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card is a secured credit card that can help members establish or build credit. It has no annual fee and no interest⁴, and there’s no credit check to apply. You simply need a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more in your Chime Checking Account to be eligible to sign up for Credit Builder.
Because it’s a secured credit card, the money you add to the secured deposit account sets the spending limit for the card. You can think of this money as a security deposit, but Chime doesn’t hold it as collateral like other secured credit cards. You can access the money right away since it acts as the spending limit on your card.
You can then use the card anywhere Visa is accepted. If you turn on the “Safer Credit Building”⁸ feature, Chime automatically pays your monthly balance with the money set aside so you don’t have to worry about missing a payment.
Chime reports your on-time payments to all three major credit bureaus to help you build your credit scores and credit history. On average, members can see a 30-point increase in their credit scores after making on-time payments.⁵
Still have questions? Here’s everything you need to know about how Chime Credit Builder works.
How do I get a Chime card?
Getting a Chime card is easy, but each card has its own process.
How to get a Chime Debit Card
When you sign up for a Chime Checking Account, you’ll automatically receive a Chime Debit Card in the mail in 7 to 10 business days. Signing up for an account takes just a few minutes.
While you wait for your debit card to arrive, download the Chime mobile app and set up direct deposit or transfer money into your account. That way, you can start using your debit card as soon as you get it!
How to get a Chime Credit Builder card
To get a Chime Credit Builder card, you have to open a Chime Checking Account. Then, you need to set up direct deposit. Once you receive your first qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more, you’ll be eligible to apply for Credit Builder.
When you’re ready, just apply in the app! Then, you can move money into your Credit Builder secured deposit account and begin spending with the card.
Chime tip: To save time, you can opt into Credit Builder while opening your checking account! But you’ll still need to wait for a qualifying direct deposit before you’re approved.
How to activate your Chime card
You can easily activate your Chime card through the Chime app or by calling 1-844-244-6363. Either way works, and each method is quick, easy, and secure.
If you are using the Chime mobile app, you can activate your card directly through the app by following these steps:
- After you log in, you should see a card widget at the top of the app with a big green button that says “Activate physical card”
- If you do not see this button, ask the Chatbot “Activate my card”. Chatbot is available by tapping “Help” at the top of the settings menu.
Unlock Financial Progress™
Chime is on a mission to help members improve their finances – and their lives. From helpful features like fee-free overdraft and early pay access with direct deposit⁶ to the credit improvements you can achieve through Credit Builder, Chime has what you need to take big steps forward. Get started today.
Chime Card FAQs
What Is Chime?
In short: Chime is not a bank. Chime is a financial technology company that offers checking and savings accounts and a credit card through our banking partners, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Chime’s mission is to make banking services easy to use and understand – and accessible to everyone. Chime is known for its limited-fee accounts (no overdraft fees, monthly fees, or minimum balance requirements) and helpful features. Deposits in Chime accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
Is Chime a credit card?
Chime is not a credit card. Chime is a financial technology company, but we do offer a secured credit card called the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card. Chime also offers a savings and checking accounts.
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, you simply transfer money into your Chime Checking Account (here’s how to move money into Chime, if you need a refresher) or set up direct deposit. Once you have money in your Chime Checking Account, your funds will be available to spend when you use your Chime Debit Card.
Do Chime cards have a spending limit?
There’s no limit on how often you can use your Chime Debit Card for withdrawals or spending transactions. However, there is a limit on the amount of money that you can withdraw per day. For the details, head over to the deposit account agreements of our bank partners (The Bancorp Bank N.A.;, Stride Bank, N.A.).
There’s no pre-set credit limit for the Chime Credit Builder card. Instead, the money you move into your Credit Builder secured deposit 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.
Can I overdraft my Chime Debit Card?
Eligible Chime members can enroll in Chime’s SpotMe feature, which allows them to be spotted up to $200 fee-free.⁷ SpotMe is available for both Chime cards, including the Chime Debit Card and Credit Builder. If SpotMe is disabled and you initiate a transaction that would result in a negative account balance, Chime simply declines the transaction and does not issue a fee.
What ATM is free to use for Chime?
Chime offers a large network of fee-free ATMs nationwide. Members can find more than 50,000 in-network ATMs⁵ at locations like Walgreens®, 7-Eleven®, CVS Pharmacy®, and Circle K. You can use Chime’s in-app ATM Finder to locate Chime ATMs near you.
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.