Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Nobody likes to wait. But waiting for a new credit card to arrive in the mail seems to be the inevitable second step after approval. After all, the bank needs to print a personalized card and mail it to you. But what if there was a quicker way, like a digital card for a digital wallet?
That technology is available, and Chase is using digital wallets so new cardholders can start spending on a new card right after opening it. Chase has dubbed this feature Spend Instantly.
Eligible Chase cardholders can start using a new Chase card immediately after approval by adding the new card to a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. You’ll need to have an eligible Chase card and know the process to add it. Here’s how.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
Up to 5x Reward Rate
Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plusRead More
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Editorial Review
Offering a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility, this card is a dream for frequent spenders on travel & dining - while charging a modest annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- Earn high rewards on several areas of spending
- Transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate
- Many travel and shopping protections
- Annual fee
- No intro APR offer
- Best travel earning rates are only for bookings through Chase
Card Details
- 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, and 2x on all other travel 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
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®.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
How To Use Chase Spend Instantly
To use Chase Spend Instantly, you’ll need to start in the Chase Mobile app (Android, Apple). Log into your Chase account and select the card you want to add to a mobile wallet. Scroll down to Account Services and click the Digital Wallets link.
Choose which digital wallet you want to use. Chase will display a list of cards that are eligible to add to a digital wallet. Tap on the card you want to add. Finally, read and accept any terms and conditions to add the card to your digital wallet.
Currently, Chase cards can be added to three digital wallets:
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Samsung Pay
Read More: How To Use a Mobile Wallet
Which Chase Cards Let You Spend Instantly
Most Chase consumer cards can be used right after approval through Chase Spend Instantly. These include Forbes Advisor favorites such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®and United℠ Explorer Card.
In fact, it’s easiest to just share which Chase cards aren’t eligible for Spend Instantly:
- Amazon: Amazon Visa Credit Card*, Prime Visa
- Disney: Disney® Visa® Card*, Disney® Premier Visa® Card*
- Business credit cards
- Mastercard: Chase Freedom Flex℠*, DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®*, Instacart Mastercard®*, Aeroplan® Credit Card*, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card*, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card*
You can still add these ineligible cards to a digital wallet. However, you’ll need to wait until your physical card arrives in the mail before you can do so.
Read more: The Best Chase Credit Cards
Benefits of Chase Spend Instantly
Chase Spend Instantly solves a problem most credit cardholders are all too familiar with: waiting for a credit card to arrive in the mail.
Whether you’re excited to use new benefits or just want to start spending toward the welcome bonus, it can be frustrating to wait for up to two weeks for your new card to arrive. New Chase cardholders can request expedited processing, but it will still take a few days for your new Chase card to arrive in the mail.
While you’re waiting, the clock is ticking. Chase welcome bonuses typically award bonus points or miles after you spend a certain amount in a defined time period. And that time period starts the day you open your card—regardless of how long it takes for your card to arrive in the mail.
By adding your new Chase card to a digital wallet, you can start using that card the day you opened it. For example, new Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can get approved for a card and then utilize the $300 Annual Travel Credit to book a trip that same day. And, by booking that trip through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, you can earn up to 10 points per dollar spent—after the first $300 is wiped out by the travel credit. The card earns 5 points per dollar on flights and 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Best of all, purchases will help you work toward earning the 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Best Chase Credit Cards Of 2023
Find the best Chase credit card for your needs.
Learn More
Bottom Line
Chase has an option to “Spend Instantly” on newly approved cards. To set this up, you’ll need to add your new card to a digital wallet via the Chase Mobile app. Then you can start spending on the card right away to work toward earning the sign-up bonus.
Since only a few cards are ineligible for this option, the odds are good that your next Chase card is eligible.
I'm a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of credit cards and banking technologies. My expertise extends to the utilization of digital wallets, like Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as the latest innovations in the credit card industry. To demonstrate my knowledge, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide comprehensive information:
-
Chase Spend Instantly:
- Definition: Chase Spend Instantly is a feature offered by Chase Bank that allows eligible cardholders to start using their new Chase credit card immediately after approval.
- How it Works: Cardholders can add their new Chase card to a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, through the Chase Mobile app. This enables them to make purchases using the digital card even before the physical card arrives in the mail.
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Digital Wallets:
- Definition: Digital wallets are virtual representations of physical wallets that store payment card information securely. They allow users to make electronic transactions via smartphones, smartwatches, or other compatible devices.
- Examples: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are mentioned in the article as the digital wallets compatible with Chase cards.
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Chase Cards Eligible for Spend Instantly:
- Eligible Cards: Most Chase consumer cards are eligible for Spend Instantly, including popular ones like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and United℠ Explorer Card.
- Ineligible Cards: Some Chase cards, such as Amazon Visa Credit Card, Disney® Visa® Card, and certain business credit cards, are not eligible for Spend Instantly.
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Benefits of Chase Spend Instantly:
- Time-saving: Allows cardholders to start using their new card immediately instead of waiting for the physical card to arrive, which can take up to two weeks.
- Bonus Opportunity: Particularly beneficial for cards with welcome bonuses, as users can start earning rewards from the day they open the card.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
- Overview: Highlighted in the article as an example of a card eligible for Spend Instantly.
- Rewards: Offers high rewards rates, including 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases.
- Welcome Bonus: Currently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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How to Use Chase Spend Instantly:
- Process: Cardholders need to log into the Chase Mobile app, select the card they want to add to a mobile wallet, navigate to Account Services, and click on Digital Wallets. They can then choose a digital wallet and follow the prompts to add the card.
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Commission Disclaimer:
- Editorial Note: The article includes a disclaimer that the platform earns a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor, but this does not influence the editors' opinions or evaluations.
In conclusion, Chase Spend Instantly is a valuable feature for eligible cardholders, providing a convenient and swift way to start using their new credit card immediately. The article focuses on the benefits, the process of using this feature, and highlights specific Chase cards that qualify.
