If you’ve ever been unsure about applying for a credit card just to be denied, preapproval could set your mind at ease.
Preapproval and prequalification offers can tell you which credit cards you’re likely to be approved for before you apply, without damaging your credit score with a hard credit inquiry.
If you’re interested in getting preapproved for a Chase credit card, read on to learn about how Chase handles preapprovals -- plus tips on how to apply for a Chase card even without a preapproval offer in hand.
What is credit card preapproval and how does it work?
Credit card preapproval and prequalification are both ways for you to see how likely you are to get approved for a credit card without undergoing a hard credit check. However, even if you are preapproved or prequalified for a card, it doesn’t guarantee approval.
If you’re preapproved, you can follow the offer provided by the credit card issuer and fill out a formal application with all of the required information, including your name, income, monthly rent and mortgage payment, Social Security number and other identifying information.
Once you submit your application, you’ll undergo a hard credit check. A hard check will typically lower your credit score by a few points. However, it’ll likely only be a temporary drop.
What’s the difference between preapproval and prequalification?
Each credit card issuer could have different definitions for preapproval and prequalification. In some cases, it indicates how likely you are to be approved, with preapproval providing the highest chance and prequalification indicating a slightly lower chance.
However, Chase indicates that preapproval means it was the one that reached out with an offer after matching your preliminary financial information with one of its products, while prequalification indicates that you reached out to it to check for any offers.
Does Chase offer credit card preapproval?
Chase says on its online site that the preapproval program is paused. CNET has reached out to confirm if you can get preapproved or targeted by mail.
Other issuers that offer preapproval
If you don’t want or can’t get preapproved for a Chase card, many other credit card issuers also offer preapproval for their credit cards. There are plenty of great cards to choose from -- Wells Fargo, Citi and American Express all offer a form of preapproval or prequalification for credit cards.
How to apply for a Chase credit card
Even if you don’t have a preapproval offer in hand, you can still apply for a Chase credit card directly. Although this means you’ll have to commit to a full application and the accompanying hard credit pull, you can still estimate your approval chances on your own by checking your credit score beforehand and comparing that to the suggested credit score ranges for the cards listed on our page of best Chase credit cards.
You should also check your credit report to see how many new credit cards you’ve opened in the past 24 months. Many consumers have reported that Chase will automatically deny you for a new credit card if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, in what is colloquially called Chase’s 5/24 rule.
To apply for a Chase credit card, follow the steps below:
- Choose the Chase card that best matches your financial situation. Once you’ve found a card that checks all the boxes, apply directly on Chase’s site. You’ll need to provide personal identification information including your name, address, Social Security number, income and rent or mortgage payments, along with other information.
- Wait to receive your card. It should arrive within five to seven business days. In some cases, you may be able to add your card to a digital wallet while you wait for your physical card to arrive.
- Use your card responsibly. Don’t overspend for the sake of earning rewards and make sure to always pay your bill on time. If you can, pay the full statement balance so you can avoid any interest charges.
The bottom line
Credit card preapproval or prequalification can be a good way to avoid any unnecessary dings to your credit. If you’ve been interested in a particular card from an issuer, check to see if it features a preapproval or prequalification tool online.
Editors’ note: An earlier version of this article was assisted by an AI engine. This version has been substantially updated by a staff writer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
