How to activate your Chase Credit Card
Activate your Chase credit card online or by phone — what you need, step-by-step instructions and fixes if activation fails.
Quick answer: Activate your Chase Credit Card online at chase.com, in the Chase Mobile app or by phone using the number on the card sticker. Have ready: Your new card; Card number (typed online or keyed in by phone). Use only chase.com or the official app, never a link sent by text or email.
What you need
- Your new card
- Card number (typed online or keyed in by phone)
- Answers to your pre-set security questions or a secure PIN if asked
Activate your Chase Credit Card online
- Find the activation sticker on the front of your new Chase card
- Type the secure web address printed on the sticker straight into your browser (don't use a link from an email or text)
- Enter your card number when prompted
- Verify your identity by answering your security questions
- Confirm activation, then sign the back of the card
Activate by phone
Call the activation number printed on the sticker on the front of your new card (or the customer-service number on the back) and follow the automated prompts. You will usually be asked for the card number and a piece of identity information such as the last four digits of your Social Security number or your ZIP code.
After you activate
- Set up automatic payments and enroll in online account access (both recommended by Chase)
- Add the card to Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay
- Update subscriptions and bills if this card replaces an old one
- Read your cardmember agreement for the APR and rewards details
If your JPMorgan Chase Bank card won't activate
- No sticker on the card: Chase says not every card needs activation, so call the number on the back to check
- Card declined after activating: call the number on the back to confirm it's active (a decline can also mean you've hit your credit limit)
- Got an 'activation link' by email or text: don't use it. Type the address from the sticker yourself or sign in to chase.com
Chase Credit Card activation FAQs
How do I activate my Chase Credit Card?
You can activate it by phone, online at chase.com. Online or in-app activation is usually fastest: sign in, choose the new card, and confirm the details requested.
Is there a phone number to activate a JPMorgan Chase Bank card?
Use the activation number printed on the sticker on the front of your new card, or the number on the back of the card. Only call numbers shown on the card itself or on chase.com — scammers publish look-alike numbers.
Can I use my JPMorgan Chase Bank card before activating it?
Generally no. A new card is blocked until it is activated, although some issuers activate a replacement automatically the first time you use it with your PIN, and some let you use a virtual card number in the app straight away.
Does activating a Chase Credit Card affect my credit score?
No. Activation is not a credit check. Any hard inquiry happened when you applied; activating simply switches the card on. Not activating a new account does not close it, so it can still appear on your credit report.
Why won't my JPMorgan Chase Bank card activate?
No sticker on the card: Chase says not every card needs activation, so call the number on the back to check Card declined after activating: call the number on the back to confirm it's active (a decline can also mean you've hit your credit limit)
Is it safe to activate my card online?
Yes, provided you are on the issuer's real website (chase.com) or official app. Type the address yourself rather than following links in texts or emails. Your bank will never ask for your full PIN or a one-time passcode by phone or text.
JPMorgan Chase Bank cards we review
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards | Intro APR | Foreign fee | Credit needed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ChaseSapphire Preferred 4574 7062 5717 3216 VALID THRU 11/31SAM RIVERA Chase Sapphire Preferred CardMid-tier travelers who want transfer partners without a premium fee |
$95/yr | 5x Chase Travel; 3x dining, gas and EV charging, streaming and online… | None | None | Good to Excellent (700+) | |
Chase Sapphire ReserveHeavy travelers who'll actually use the lounges and travel credit |
$795/yr | 8x Chase Travel; 4x flights and hotels booked direct; 3x dining; 1x ot… | None | None | Excellent (740+) | |
ChaseFreedom Unlimited 4734 2504 9544 4664 VALID THRU 10/32ALEX MORGAN Chase Freedom UnlimitedChase cardholders who pool points across the ecosystem |
None | 5% travel via Chase Travel, 3% dining and drugstores, 1.5% on all othe… | 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months | 3% | Good (690+) | |
ChaseFreedom Flex 5331 9672 3196 0810 VALID THRU 02/30MORGAN LEE Chase Freedom FlexOrganized optimizers who'll track quarterly bonus categories |
None | 5% rotating quarterly categories (activation required), 5% travel via… | 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months | 3% | Good (690+) |
Sources: www.chase.com · www.chase.com. Steps change; if your screen looks different, follow the official instructions.