Credit card applications originating from this page will result in a hard credit inquiry. Please contact the issuer for preapproval or pre-qualification opportunities.
Preapproval (sometimes referred to as “pre-qualified”) offers many benefits. It allows consumers to compare offers from different card issuers with no harm to their credit scores. Preapproval denial can also help you understand how to improve your credit before formally applying—or at least learn what cards a provider may offer you.
Chase offers some of the most popular cards in the market, making them desirable options for preapproval. Unfortunately, Chase does not have a preapproval tool on its website.
The only way to know whether you pre-qualify is to receive an offer in the mail or to receive an offer through your existing Chase account. If you currently bank with Chase, you could receive preapproval offers within your online banking message center. You can also check with a local branch representative.
The Difference Between Chase Pre-qualification and Preapproval
For credit cards, these two terms often mean the same thing, although you will encounter a difference when it comes to mortgages. Preapproval for credit cards can happen in two different ways. The first is through mailed pre-qualification offers from card providers encouraging you to apply for their credit cards. These card providers have often purchased your contact information based on you meeting a target profile.
In other cases, you can submit a short application to determine which cards you’re most likely to qualify for. When card issuers offer this, they’ll do a soft credit check and review basic information like annual income, total monthly payments and the last four digits of a Social Security number.
Either way, preapprovals or pre-qualifying for credit card offers are not a guarantee. Pre-qualifying doesn’t necessarily mean you will be approved for a new account and this is especially true for consumer-initiated pre-qualifications. Unlike prescreened preapproval offers that you may receive from a credit card issuer, pre-qualification tools that require you to provide your personal information to see your approval odds are not considered firm offers of credit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Additionally, your credit score is a snapshot of your credit history and it fluctuates often based on reported payments, card balances and a myriad of other factors. If your credit rating has changed or new information comes to light, a credit card issuer may still deny your application.
Credit card applications originating from this page will result in a hard credit inquiry. Please contact the issuer for preapproval or pre-qualification opportunities.
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How To Get Preapproved for a Chase Card
Chase does not currently offer a preapproval tool on its website, making it harder to know whether you can qualify for a Chase card. The only way to know if you pre-qualify is if Chase targets you using information provided by credit bureaus.
To increase your chances of seeing preapproval offers, work to improve your credit score. Make payments on time, pay off other credit card balances and monitor your credit report to ensure everything is accurate and know what factors you need to focus on.
If you receive a preapproval offer from Chase, it means the bank reviewed your income, credit score and other financial information to determine you’re most likely to be approved for the offered credit card. Offers are typically sent by mail, email or through your digital Chase account.
Keep an eye out for offers when logging in to make payments or use reward points. You can also go to a Chase branch and speak to a representative to see if you are preapproved for any card offers. To ensure Chase makes decisions based on the most current information, you may want to update your income within your profile, if you receive a bonus or pay increase.
Preapproval offers often arrive in the mail addressed to the qualifying individual or business. In addition to advertising the card’s benefits, they are an invitation to apply.
Mailed prescreened offers may offer better terms or perks than are found on the publicly-marketed version of the card. Also, note that prescreened offers are considered “firm offers of credit” under the FCRA so you should only be denied if your credit has changed significantly since the offer was made.
Can I Get Preapproved for a Chase Sapphire Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are two of Chase’s top credit cards. These cards offer great benefits for travel, dining and everyday purchases.
Because Chase is not currently offering a preapproval tool on its website, the best chance to get preapproved for a Chase Sapphire card is to work on improving your credit score and hope the bank sends a preapproval offer in the mail once you qualify. You can also receive a preapproval notice for the card online if you already have an online account with Chase, whether that’s due to having another Chase credit card or a Chase banking account.
If there’s no time to wait for an offer, you’ll have to simply apply for a Sapphire card on Chase’s website. Try not to apply for too many cards in a short time as this can negatively affect your credit score. Also, keep in mind that you’ll need to stay under the five new cards within 24 months threshold for any hopes of approval by Chase, known as the 5/24 Rule. Even if you receive a preapproval or prequalification offer, you can still be denied for being over 5/24 once you apply.
Can I Get Preapproved for a Chase Freedom Card?
Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ offer excellent cash-back potential. It’s no wonder they’re two of Chase’s most popular cards.
Chase has not made it easy to pre-qualify for a Freedom card, though. Without a preapproval tool on its website, there’s no way to get an idea of what you qualify for before formally applying. Once again, your best chance is to improve your credit score over time and hope you get an offer in the mail.
If there’s no time to wait, complete an application for a Freedom card on Chase’s website.
Remember that if you are denied, you can always call Chase once you know why you were denied and ask them to reconsider your application. Sometimes it’s as simple as needing to move credit around from an existing account to your prospective new credit card.
Should I Get a Preapproved Card From Chase?
There’s no harm in trying to receive a preapproval because it won’t harm your credit (even if you don’t qualify for any Chase cards). Credit bureaus and card issuers perform soft credit checks for preapproval which has no impact on credit scores.
If you’re currently shopping for credit cards and you receive an offer in the mail or you hold an existing Chase account, use it to your advantage. Review the offer terms and interest rates and compare them to other cards on the market.
Receiving a preapproval means there’s a good chance of being approved after applying, but remember it’s not a guarantee. There is always a chance Chase may deny a formal application if the bank can’t verify your income or sees a change to your credit profile. In some cases, preapproval offers can expire, so take advantage of an offer if you’ve evaluated it and it still seems like a good fit. But don’t let a potential expiration push you into a quick decision.
What To Do if You’re Not Preapproved for Chase Cards
If you don’t receive a preapproval offer from Chase, you can still take these steps, if you’re interested in a new Chase credit card.
1. Apply for a new card online or at a local branch, if you have good or excellent credit.
2. If you have poor or fair credit, work on improving your credit before applying. For instance, you may want to pay down your debt, make payments on any past-due accounts and set up autopay so you don’t miss monthly payments.
3. You can also wait to see if you receive a preapproval offer from Chase once you’ve improved your credit score.
4. If you apply for a new card and you’re denied, you can call the Chase reconsideration line at 1-888-609-7805. Speaking with a representative will give you insight into why you were denied and may increase your chances of getting approved.
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Bottom Line
Getting preapproved for a Chase card can be a lucrative opportunity for card shoppers. Although Chase does not currently offer a pre-qualification tool on its website, eligible cardholders can receive these offers in the mail. If you do receive a preapproval offer, it means you have a solid chance to be approved. But remember that it’s not guaranteed.
Keep paying down other credit card balances and make payments on time to improve your credit score and increase your chances of getting preapproved for a Chase card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Chase do soft pull preapprovals?
Chase may do soft pulls for credit card and loan preapprovals. You won’t be subject to a hard credit check unless you formally apply for a new card or loan. This is generally the case with other card issuers, as well.
Why is it hard to get approved by Chase?
Chase generally requires good to excellent credit to get approved for its best rewards cards. If your credit is poor to fair, take steps to increase your credit score before applying. Chase may also deny your application if you’ve opened five cards in the past two years—a limit which is often referred to as the Chase 5/24 rule.
Does Chase offer immediate approval for credit cards?
It’s possible to get approved immediately for a new Chase credit card, if you’re applying online or in-person, but you may also need to wait several days for a decision. Mail-in applications take the longest time to receive approval, for obvious reasons. But each situation is unique.
How long does Chase preapproval take?
Chase does not offer an online preapproval or pre-qualification tool for those interested in its cards, so you can’t initiate the process. Instead, offers are sent to potential customers by mail or through an online Chase account. Because of this, there is no real timetable for the preapproval process. The best thing to do if you’re interested in getting a preapproval offer is to make sure you’re following good credit habits and that you haven’t opted out of receiving prescreened credit card offers.
