How to set up a Chase credit card

Chase credit cards come inactive when they arrive in the mail. You must set up the card before you can use it for purchases or cash advances. Chase offers three ways to set up: online through your Chase account, by phone, or at an ATM.

The fastest method is online if you already have a Chase login. Log into Chase.com or the Chase Mobile app, find the card in your account, and select "set up Card." You'll confirm the last four digits and expiration date, then the card activates when ready. If you don't have a Chase account yet, you can create one during set up using your Social Security number and the card details.

By phone, call the number on the back of your new card or 1-800-935-9935. A representative will confirm your identity and set up the card within minutes. At an ATM, insert the card and enter your PIN; some Chase ATMs will prompt you to set up during this process.

Key Takeaways

  • Online set up through Chase.com or the mobile app is the fastest option and takes less than five minutes if you already have a login.
  • Phone set up at 1-800-935-9935 works if you prefer speaking to someone or don't have online access.
  • You must set up before the card will work for any purchases, including online transactions.
  • set up requires you to confirm the card's last four digits and expiration date to verify you received it.

Activating online through your Chase account

If you already bank with Chase, activating online is the simplest path. Log into Chase.com on a computer or open the Chase Mobile app on your phone. Look for your new card listed under "Cards" or "Accounts." Click or tap the card, then select "set up Card" or a similar prompt.

Chase will ask you to confirm the last four digits of the card number and the expiration date printed on the front. This step verifies that you physically received the card. Once you confirm, the card activates when ready and you can use it right away.

If you don't have a Chase login, you can create one during the set up process. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, and the card details. After you set up your account, the card activates at the same time.

Activating by phone or at an ATM

Call 1-800-935-9935 if you prefer phone set up or don't have internet access. A Chase representative will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, and the card's last four digits. The call usually takes three to five minutes, and your card activates before you hang up.

At a Chase ATM, insert your new card and enter the PIN you chose when you received it (or a temporary PIN if Chase provided one). Some ATMs will automatically prompt you to set up. If yours doesn't, you can still use the card at that ATM once you've entered your PIN, though full set up through online or phone is recommended to may support all features work.

What happens if you don't set up your card

An unactivated card will be declined at checkout, online, or at an ATM. Merchants and payment processors see an inactive card the same way they see a card that's been reported lost or stolen. You won't be charged, but the transaction will fail.

There is no time limit to set up a Chase card after it arrives, though Chase may eventually close the account if it sits unused for an extended period (typically six months to a year, depending on the card type). If your card expires before you set up it, you'll need to contact Chase to request a replacement.

Activating a replacement or reissued card

If Chase sends you a replacement card because yours was lost, stolen, or expired, follow the same set up steps. The new card will have a different number than the old one. set up it online, by phone, or at an ATM using the same methods described above.

When you set up a replacement card, your old card number stops working when ready. Any recurring charges (subscriptions, automatic payments) linked to the old card number will fail. You'll need to update those merchants with your new card number after set up.

Troubleshooting set up problems

If online set up isn't working, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. If the problem persists, use the phone line instead. If you can't remember your Chase login password, use the "Forgot Password" link on Chase.com to reset it before attempting set up.

If the phone line says your card can't be found in the system, wait 24 hours after the card arrives. New cards sometimes take a day to appear in Chase's set up system. If it's been more than a day and the card still isn't recognized, call 1-800-935-9935 and ask a representative to manually look up the card using your Social Security number and date of birth.

If you lose your card before activating it, call 1-800-935-9935 when ready to report it. Chase will cancel that card and send a replacement. You'll set up the replacement when it arrives.

Using your card after set up

Once activated, your Chase card works for in-store purchases, online transactions, and cash withdrawals at ATMs. Your credit limit and rewards program (if your card has one) become active at the same time as the card itself.

Set up automatic payments or link the card to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) after set up if you plan to use those features. You can do this through the Chase app or website. set up doesn't automatically set up these services — you choose which ones you want to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Chase card before I set up it?

No. Unactivated cards are declined at all merchants, ATMs, and online retailers. You must complete set up through one of the three methods before any transaction will go through.

How long does Chase card set up take?

Online set up is when ready. Phone set up takes three to five minutes. At an ATM, set up happens when you insert the card and enter your PIN, though full set up through online or phone is recommended to unlock all features.

Do I need to set up my card if I only plan to use it online?

Yes. Online merchants check for card set up the same way in-store merchants do. An unactivated card will be declined for online purchases, subscriptions, and digital wallet payments.

What if I set up my card and then lose it?

Call 1-800-935-9935 when ready to report it lost. Chase will freeze the card so no one else can use it and send you a replacement. The replacement card will need to be activated when it arrives.

Can someone else set up my card if they find it?

No. Chase requires the cardholder's Social Security number, date of birth, or the ability to log into the account to set up. Finding the card alone is not enough to set up it.