The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Credit Scores Needed for Chase Cards in 2024

Credit Score Needed For Chase Cards
Adam West

Written by: Adam West

Adam West
Adam West

Adam corresponds with finance experts to publish industry news coverage related to helping consumers achieve greater financial literacy and improved credit. He has more than 12 years of storytelling, editing, and design experience in print and online journalism and is most knowledgeable in the areas of credit scores, financial products and services, and the banking industry.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

If you’re in the market for a new credit card and are interested in adding a Chase card to your wallet, perhaps you’re wondering what may be the credit score needed for Chase cards. We’ll take a look at this topic in the following article.

Among the larger credit card issuers, Chase remains a blockbuster, with more than two dozen branded or co-branded cards. In fact, if you own multiple credit cards, it’s not unlikely that one or more of them are from Chase. Their cards run the gamut from no frills to premium, and not surprisingly, approval requirements vary from one card to the next.

Our experts have researched the requirements for obtaining the various Chase cards. Chase doesn’t explicitly state the minimum credit scores needed, so the information must be gleaned from secondary sources. Most Chase cards require a score of at least 600, which is about the dividing line between fair and poor credit.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: 636+ Credit Score Needed

Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card is a cash back card with no annual fee. We found references that pegged the minimum score to be around 680, but one source had a low score of 636.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

Like all Chase cards, this one observes the 5/24 application rule, which limits approvals (with some exceptions) if you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 645+ Credit Score Needed

One of the top cards our experts recommend is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It is geared to consumers having good to excellent credit scores, with an average score of 736 among cardholders. However, scores in the fair range, as low as 646, have been reported.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49%-28.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

If your score is poor, you may want to first obtain another card to help build your credit before applying for this card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 660+ Credit Score Needed

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is a premium credit card with a $550 annual fee. As such, it’s not surprising to find that its minimum credit score is in the 660 to 670 range.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™; Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
22.49%-29.49% Variable
$550
Good/Excellent

You are more likely to be approved for this card if your credit score is good or excellent and you have a well-established credit history.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: 660+ Credit Score Needed

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers unlimited cash back and charges no annual fee. Approval for a consumer with a 660 credit score has been reported.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A 12 months
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

Its rewards are less generous than those of the top Ink card, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, which makes sense when compared to its reported 688 requirement (see below).

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: 670+ Credit Score Needed

If you prefer a card with bonus categories, check out the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

It has a $0 annual fee and offers benefits comparable to the Chase Ink Business Unlimited℠ Card. Accordingly, it should have a comparable minimum credit score, borne out by a reference to a 670 score.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: 688+ Credit Score Needed

The top card in the Chase Ink trio is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. We see instances where a score of 688 was approved while one of 680 was denied. In other words, this card targets business owners with good to excellent credit.

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

Business owners can also receive employee cards at no additional cost and cellphone protection against theft or damage for employees listed on the account.

Chase Slate Edge℠: 551+ Credit Score Needed

The Chase Slate Edge℠ is a minimalist card, with no rewards and relatively few perks. In return, it offers easy approval, accepting credit scores in the 551 to 600 range for 8% of its cardholders, according to a Credit Karma survey of cardholders. That being said, the vast majority of respondents had a credit score above 600.

Chase Slate Edge℠

This card is currently not available.

Chase® Rating

★★★★★
N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

The repoted minimum credit limit is $500, and it comes with solid introductory APR and balance transfer offers.

Disney® Visa® Card: 570+ Credit Score Needed

The Disney® Visa® Card is almost essential if you’re planning a Disney vacation. We found that the minimum credit score for the upscale Disney® Premier Visa® Card (see below) appears to be 570. We’ll use that figure for this Disney Card, being it’s the easier of the two to be approved for.

Disney Visa Card

  • Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases
  • Choose your favorite Disney card design
  • No annual fee

Ownership entitles you to various rewards and perks tied to Disney parks, resorts, cruises, movies, and merchandise.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to Disney® Visa® Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Plus: 600+ Credit Score Needed

At the bottom of the Chase Southwest trio sits the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Plus. Like all the Southwest cards issued by Chase, this one targets consumers with at least a fair credit score. However, we expect it to have a lower minimum requirement than the 607 found for the middle sibling, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier. That would put this card’s required minimum score at about 600, and perhaps lower.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card

  • 2X points on Southwest purchases
  • Earn 3,000 anniversary points each year
  • $69 annual fee applied to the first billing statement

Cardholders receive special perks when flying on Southwest Airlines, such as free checked luggage for up to two bags, lost luggage reimbursement, and extended warranty protection.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Plus was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier: 607+ Credit Score Needed

Southwest and Chase offer three Visa cards, of which the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier is the middle offering. The average cardholder score is 670, with at least one member receiving approval with a 607 score.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card

  • New tiered rewards, including 3X points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases
  • Earn 6,000 anniversary points each year
  • $99 annual fee applied to the first billing statement

You’ll like earning triple points and special airline benefits with this card if you frequently fly on Southwest.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

United℠ Explorer Card: 633+ Credit Score Needed

Fans of United Airlines may be able to obtain the United℠  Explorer Card with a credit score as low as 633, however, the average cardholder credit score is 714.

The United Explorer Card

  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, hotels and on United purchases
  • No blackout dates
  • $0 annual fee the first year, $95 each year thereafter

This card’s benefits include bonus miles and travel perks, with one-way flights starting at 12,500 miles within the continental U.S. and Canada.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to United℠  Explorer Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™: 638+ Credit Score Needed

Marriott consolidated its rewards programs under the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ banner, which includes more than 7,000 wordwide hotels. You may qualify for this card with a credit score as low as 638, but the average score among cardholders is 721.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

  • Earn 6X points per $1 spent at 7,000+ Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Free night every year after your account anniversary
  • $95 annual fee

The card charges an annual fee but offers lucrative rewards such as introductory bonus points.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

Disney® Premier® Visa Card: 650+ Credit Score Needed

The Disney® Premier® Visa Card has more generous rewards than the other Disney card offered by Chase. While we have encountered a reference citing a minimum score requirement of 570, we believe 650 to 660 represents the true minimum.

Disney Premier Visa Card

  • Statement credit when you meet the spending requirement
  • Earn 2% in Disney Reward Dollars for purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney locations, 1% on everything else
  • $49 annual fee

If your score is in the 570 to 649 range, you may have a better chance of acceptance by applying for the Disney® Visa® Card instead.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to Disney® Premier® Visa® Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority: 670+ Credit Score Needed

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority Card offers the most generous rewards among the trio of Southwest cards offered by Chase. While the minimum score for this card is unspecified, it’s reasonable to peg it at the average score, 670, for the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card

  • Tiered rewards, including 3X points per $1 spent with Southwest
  • $75 Southwest Airlines annual travel credit
  • $149 annual fee

This card is best used by those who travel with Southwest several times a year to recoup the annual fee and can take advantage of the annual travel credit. Cardholders also earn 25% back on in-flight Southwest purchases with the Priority card.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

United Club℠ Infinite Card: 670+ Credit Score Needed

If you are a committed United customer and want a premium credit card, then you may be willing to shell out the hefty annual fee for the United Club℠ Infinite Card. Indications point to a minimum credit score of 670 for approval.

United Club Infinite Card

  • Tiered rewards, including 4 miles per $1 spent with United
  • Free access to all United Club locations and Star Alliance affiliated lounges worldwide
  • Free first and second checked bags
  • $525 annual fee

Given its high annual fee, it’s not surprising that the card bids for consumers with good to excellent credit scores.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to United Club℠ Infinite Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Card: 670+ Credit Score Needed

The Intercontinental Hotels Group partners with Chase to bring you the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, where you earn rewards at more than a dozen different hotel chains. Approval appears to require a minimum credit score of 670.

IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

  • Tiered rewards, including 10 points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels and Resorts and 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants
  • Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • $89 annual fee

Cardholders will also receive one free night on their account anniversary each year and a fourth night free when points are redeemed for a stay of four or more nights, among other elite perks.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

The World of Hyatt® Credit Card: 690+ Credit Score Needed

The World of Hyatt® Credit Card delivers generous rewards for staying at Hyatt properties in return for a $95 annual fee. We have found references to people being accepted with credit scores in the 690 range, which is among the highest for the cards in this group.

World Of Hyatt Credit Card

  • 9X points at Hyatt hotels, resorts, restaurants, and spas, 2X points on everything else
  • One free night at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year
  • $95 annual fee

The card targets consumers with good to excellent credit scores.

(Non-Monetized. The information related to World of Hyatt® Credit Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)

There’s a Chase Card For Everyone

Chase has all the bases covered with its lineup of credit cards. You can choose cards for hotel chains, Disney purchases, airline travel, and more. Business owners also have a slew of card options with various business benefits.

The range of minimum scores we encountered run from 551 to 690. However, these minimums are estimates only. Since Chase doesn’t release any information about score requirements, you may qualify for a card even if your score is below the estimated minimum if other determining factors, such as your income, meet the card’s approval requirements.

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