A Chime card is either a debit or a credit card. There are two different types of the card. There are a credit builder card and a debit visa card. To get a new Chime card, you must know which one best satisfies your financial needs.
On this article, I will discuss the Visa® debit card and the Builder Credit card. The Chime Visa® debit card is not a prepaid card. It is a free Visa card which is linked to your checking account. It is automatically created, when you open a checking account with Chime. This is one of the perks of a Chime checking account.
On the other hand, the Chime builder credit card is set up to help you build your credit history and score. All you need to qualify is to have $200 or more in your checking account. I will discuss each card, what it offers and what is needed from you to own one.
For now, here is what to know about the eligibility process.
How Do I Get Approved For A Chime Card?
You cannot get a Chime card without an ID. Chime will ask for a legal form of identification during application. Besides, you will need to have a SSN to get it. This is financial industry standard, when it comes to applying for a bank card in an American financial instituition.
In addition, you have to be an American citizen to qualify for one. You have to be the age of eighteen or above to apply. The eligibility for a card is the same as ones needed to set up an account with Chime.
Why Can I Not Get Approved For A Chime Card?
If you are not a U.S citizen, you will not be approved to have a Chime account. As a result, you cannot apply for a card. Also, the absence of a legal mailing address and a SSN will disqualify you. This is because you will not be reached in case of fraud related issues or other financial problems.
Besides, you must be 18 or above to qualify for the card. In all, you have to be an American citizen with a legal mailing address who is at the age of 18 or above to get approved. Otherwise, you cannot order one.
What Credit Score Do You Need For A Chime Card?
No credit score is needed to qualify for either the Chime Visa® debit card or the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Card. This is because the Chime Visa® debit card is linked to your checking account. It is automatically added once you create your checking account, so there is no need to qualify for one.
You do not need a credit score for Chime Credit Builder card, although it is a credit card. The reason is credit builder card is a secured credit card. Do you remember what a secured credit card is, my dear reader?
A secured credit card is bounded by the cash deposit on the account it is attached to. As a result, you cannot spend more than the cash collateral you deposit on the account. To simplify, the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Card only needs you to have $200 or more in your checking account in order to qualify. The credit card is specifically made to help you build your credit score without incurring debt.
Hence, why a credit check is not needed for a Chime card.
How To Get A Chime Debit Card
You need a Chime checking account. The visa debit card is sent out to you, as soon as your checking account is ready. You will get the Chime card in the mail. This is one of the reasons why Chime always emphasize on providing a legal mailing address, so it will safely mail you documents.
How To Activate Your Chime Visa® debit card
Once your visa debit card arrives, do the following below to activate it.
- Login to your Chime account.
- Check the card status widget. If it shows delivered to you, then tap on it.
- Tap on activate and the card will be ready for use.
Now, you do not have to wait for the card to arrive in order to use it. The app has a virtual temporary debit card on your file. To use it, do the following below:
- Tap on settings icon.
- Select view your card from the scroll list.
A virtual image of your debit card will appear. This is what you use to make transactions, just like you would do with your Apple or Google pay. Do you understand?
How To Get A Chime Credit Card
You can apply for Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Card online too. Getting one is easy as long as you qualify for it. To qualify for it, you need $200 or more on your checking account. Unlike the debit card which comes automatically with a checking account, you need to apply for the credit card.
Following the steps below will help you order a new credit card:
- Login to Chime.
- Tap on settings.
- Tap Try Credit Builder. The credit card will be shipped out to you with the delivery time.
Once the card arrives, do the following below to activate it.
- Login to Chime.
- Tap on settings.
- Tap on Activate New Card to activate the card. And, your credit card will be ready for use.
The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Card is best for building credit for the first time. It is known to improve your credit score up to 30 points without incurring debt. This is because it is a secured credit card which has no interest.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Chime Card?
So, how long do chime cards take to arrive?
It takes a couple of business days for the card to be delivered. Here is a table summarizing how long it takes for each of the card.
| Card type | Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Chime Visa® debit card | 7 to 10 business days |
| Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Card | 7 to 10 business days |
As you can see, both cards take the same number of business days for it to be shipped to you. The time frame does not include holidays or weekends. I recommend using a legible mailing address, so the delivery time will not take longer than usual.
Can I Use My Chime Card At Any ATM?
Chime has about 50,000 ATMs with no fee. You can easily access one of these free Chime ATM locations to make a cash withdrawal. All you need is to have your chime card.
Additionally, the app has a feature which lets you find the nearest Chime cash withdrawal place. It requires you putting in your zip code or address to see it. I wrote about it on 9 Best Chime ATM Locations For Quick Withdrawal. You can read the article for more information.
How Do I Replace My Chime Card?
If your card is damaged, stolen or expired, you can easily request a new Chime card. Here is what you must do to get a replacement card.
- Login to Chime app.
- Tap on settings.
- scroll down and tap on cards.
- Tap on Replace Your Card. You will be asked to select whether your card was damaged or stolen.
- You will be asked to confirm your mailing address. Make sure it is correct, before you tap on it since the new card will sent there.
The replacement card will take about 7 to 10 business days to get delivered to the address you provided. Also, it is worthwhile to note that reported stolen cards will be deactivated, while you can still have access to a virtual form of damaged cards.
On the whole, applying for a new chime account is easy. The two cards are specifically made to suit your financial needs. Money can be put into your account through the debit card. You can load money instantly through your Chime card in these places. With the credit card, you can build a great credit history. Just go for the one which will meet your financial needs.
What To Know About Setting Up A Chime Account