Most people who Google "what is a Chime card" expect a single answer. The truth is Chime issues multiple cards, and they serve very different purposes. Whether you want a fee-free debit card for everyday spending, a secured credit card to build your score, or a virtual card for safer online shopping, Chime has an option. This guide breaks down every Chime card type so you can figure out which one — or which combination — makes sense for you.
What Is Chime?
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. It partners with The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A., both FDIC-insured, to hold your deposits. Chime builds the app and the products; the partner banks handle the federally regulated banking side.
Chime cards are issued through those partner banks on the Visa network. That means they work anywhere Visa is accepted — in stores, online, and abroad.
Chime
Chime
- Fee-free banking plus early pay access - Overdraft up to $200 without fees - 5% cash back and build credit everyday. - 3.75% APY on your savings.
Standout feature
No credit check, no interest, no annual fee, and no minimum deposit required.
Fees
$0
Pros
Fee-Free Banking and Get paid up to 2 days early
Cons
App/online-only support, no branches
The Chime Visa Debit Card
When you open a Chime Checking Account, you automatically receive a Chime Visa® Debit Card. This is the card most people picture when they ask about the chime debit card.
Key features of the Chime debit card:
- No monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement
- Fee-free withdrawals at over 50,000 ATMs in the MoneyPass, Allpoint, and Visa Plus Alliance networks
- Works with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Tap-to-pay enabled
- Real-time transaction notifications in the Chime app
- Instant block and unblock if you misplace the card
Is the Chime card prepaid? No. The Chime debit card is a bank debit card linked to your Checking Account balance, not a reloadable prepaid card. That distinction matters because prepaid cards are not tied to a bank account and typically have fewer protections.
Spending is limited to the balance in your Checking Account, though eligible members can access SpotMe® overdraft coverage of up to $200 with qualifying direct deposits. Check chime.com for current SpotMe eligibility and limits.
The Chime Card (Credit Builder Secured Card)
The Chime Card™ is a Visa secured credit card designed to help you build or repair credit. It used to be called the Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card — Chime rebranded it to simply "Chime Card" in recent years.
Here is how the Chime Card works:
- Move money from your Chime Checking Account into a secured deposit account.
- That amount becomes your spending limit for the month.
- Chime pays the balance automatically at the end of each statement period using the funds you already moved over.
Because your spending is backed dollar-for-dollar by money you already have, there is no risk of carrying an interest-charging balance. No interest charges, no annual fee, and no credit check to apply.
Chime reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. That consistent reporting is what moves your credit score over time.
The Chime Card also earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on rotating purchase categories when you have qualifying direct deposit set up. Check chime.com for current cash back category details.
For a deeper look at how the card performs, see our Chime Card Review: Credit Builder Pros & Cons.
Chime Card™
Chime Card™
Chime Card™ is Chime’s secured credit card and has the reliable Chime credit-building features plus 5% cash back rewards on select categories (with direct qualifying deposit) and access to cash at ATMs. [https://www.chime.com/disclosures/](link)
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
5% cash back rewards on select categories (with direct qualifying deposit)
Benefit
Overdraft up to $200 without fees for eligible members.
Virtual Chime Cards
Both the Chime debit card and the Chime Card come with a chime virtual card — a digital version you can use right away, even before a physical card arrives in the mail.
The virtual card has its own card number, expiration date, and CVV. You can add it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for in-store tap payments, or enter the details directly at any online checkout.
Chime virtual card PIN: Yes, you set a PIN for your virtual debit card the same way you do for the physical card — through the Chime app under card settings. The virtual debit card PIN is the same as the one on your physical card if you have both.
Virtual cards are especially useful for online purchases because the virtual number is separate from your physical card number. If a merchant is compromised, your physical card stays safe.
Does Chime Have a Metal Card?
When Chime launched the redesigned Chime Card, it introduced a premium chime metal card option. During enrollment you can upgrade to a titanium finish for a one-time fee (check chime.com for the current cost and availability). The standard card is plastic. Metal or plastic, the features are the same — the upgrade is purely cosmetic.
Is the Chime Card Prepaid?
This question comes up often. The short answer: no Chime card is a traditional prepaid card.
- The Chime debit card is a bank debit card tied to your Checking Account.
- The Chime Card is a secured credit card backed by your own deposited funds.
Both work differently from a prepaid card, which is loaded with a fixed balance and has no underlying bank account. Chime's products come with FDIC insurance coverage through the partner banks, real-time fraud monitoring, and full Visa network acceptance — features that most prepaid cards do not offer.
Chime Cards vs. Firstcard
Firstcard is not a card issuer. Firstcard helps you compare fintech products, understand how they work, and choose the right tools for your financial goals. If you are deciding between different card options, our guides can help you see the full picture.
For more context on Chime's banking products, see our overview of what Chime is and how it works.
How to Get a Chime Card
Getting any Chime card starts with opening a Chime Checking Account in the app or at chime.com. Once your account is approved:
- Your Chime debit card ships within 7-10 business days. Your virtual debit card is available immediately.
- To get the Chime Card, you apply separately within the app after your Checking Account is open. Approval is not based on credit history.
Managing Your Chime Cards
All card management happens inside the Chime app:
- View your card number, expiration date, and CVV
- Set or change your PIN
- Enable or disable international transactions
- Turn daily spending limits up or down
- Report a lost or stolen card and request a replacement
Replacement cards typically arrive within 7-10 business days. If you need money in the meantime, your virtual card keeps working while the physical replacement is in transit.
For help reaching Chime support if something goes wrong, see our guide on how to contact Chime customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Chime card exactly?
A Chime card is a Visa-network card issued through Chime's partner banks. Chime offers a Visa Debit Card linked to your Checking Account and the Chime Card, a secured credit card that helps build credit. Both come with virtual card versions you can use for online or mobile wallet payments.
Is the Chime debit card the same as the Chime Card credit card?
No, they are different products. The Chime Visa Debit Card draws from your Checking Account balance for purchases. The Chime Card is a secured credit card backed by funds you move into a separate secured deposit account, and it reports to credit bureaus to help build your score.
Can I use my Chime virtual card pin at ATMs?
The Chime virtual card is designed for online and mobile wallet purchases rather than ATM withdrawals. ATM cash access is typically handled through your physical Chime debit card. Check the Chime app for any updates to virtual card ATM functionality.
Does Chime charge a fee for the metal card upgrade?
Chime offered a titanium metal card upgrade for a one-time fee when it launched the redesigned Chime Card. Availability and pricing may change, so check chime.com for current details before you enroll.
