A guide to Chase pre-approval and pre-qualification
- What is the difference between Chase pre-approval and pre-qualification?
- How does pre-approval for Chase work?
- What to do if you’re not pre-approved for a Chase card
- Get approved for a Ramp card in 1-3 days on average
Pre-approval (sometimes referred to as "pre-qualification") offers many benefits. It allows you to gauge your likelihood of being approved for a credit card without impacting your credit score. Pre-approval also enables you to compare offers from different card issuers, helping you find the best fit for your needs.
If you aren't pre-approved, it can provide insight into areas of your credit profile that may need improvement before you formally apply. This knowledge can be useful in taking steps to enhance your creditworthiness.
Chase offers pre-approval and pre-qualification processes to help you gauge your eligibility without impacting your credit. This article will explain the differences between Chase pre-approval and pre-qualification, detail how pre-approval works, and provide tips on what to do if you’re not pre-approved.
What is the difference between Chase pre-approval and pre-qualification?
Chase pre-approval and pre-qualification are both methods used to assess your eligibility for credit cards. Pre-qualification typically involves a soft credit check and is based on basic information you provide. It gives you an idea of which credit cards you might qualify for but does not guarantee approval.
Pre-approval, on the other hand, is more thorough. It often involves a deeper review of your credit profile, though it still usually involves a soft credit check. Being pre-approved means Chase has determined that you are more likely to be approved for the card, though it is not a final approval.
How does pre-approval for Chase work?
Pre-approval for Chase credit cards is a streamlined process that gives you an idea of your likelihood of approval without affecting your credit score. Here’s how it works:
Your information is collected
Chase collects basic personal and financial information, such as your name, address, income, and existing credit obligations, to get an initial understanding of your financial situation.
A soft credit check is performed
Chase performs a soft credit check using the provided information. This type of inquiry does not impact your credit score and allows Chase to review your credit report for pre-approval eligibility.
Your profile is evaluated against criteria
Chase evaluates your credit profile against their criteria, considering factors like credit score, payment history, and existing debt levels. If you meet these criteria, you receive a pre-approval offer.
You are notified of a pre-approval
You may receive pre-approval offers via direct mail, email, online banking messages, or when browsing the Chase website or app.
A formal application is submitted for a final decision
If you choose to apply, you submit a formal application involving a hard credit check. Chase then conducts a thorough review of your credit profile and financial information before making a final approval decision. The time for this final decision can range from immediate to a few days.
Does Chase do soft pull preapprovals?
Yes, Chase uses a soft pull of your credit report for pre-approval. This means that the inquiry doesn't affect your credit score. A soft pull allows Chase to review your credit history and determine if you qualify for pre-approval without impacting your credit score.
Does Chase offer immediate approval for credit cards?
Chase does offer immediate approval for some credit card applications, but this isn't guaranteed for all applicants. Immediate approval is more likely if you have a strong credit history and meet all of Chase's criteria. In other cases, it might take a few days for Chase to review your application and make a decision.
How long does Chase preapproval take?
The pre-approval process for Chase is generally quick. You can receive pre-approval offers within minutes of providing your information online. However, final approval, after you formally apply for the card, might take longer depending on your credit profile and Chase's review process.
What to do if you’re not pre-approved for a Chase card
If you aren't pre-approved for a Chase card, you might want to review your credit report to understand why. Look for areas that need improvement, such as paying down existing debt or addressing any errors on your credit report. Improving your credit score over time can increase your chances of being pre-approved in the future.
Get approved for a Ramp card in 1-3 days on average
For businesses in need of a credit card, consider Ramp’s corporate card as the solution. Unlike traditional business credit cards, Ramp’s card approval process takes one day on averageand doesn't require a credit check or personal guarantee.
Additionally, our cards come with advanced spending management features and an unlimited number of free physical and virtual employee cards. Here are just a few of the features you can expect from Ramp:
- No annual fee: Get started with Ramp’s corporate card and expense management software for free, with no annual fees or setup fees.
- Expense management tools: Set custom spending limits, automate receipt collection, and streamline expense reporting.
- Accounting integrations: Ramp connects with leading accounting platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, and NetSuite to help you close your books 8 times faster.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article has not been officially confirmed by Chase and is subject to change.
Don't miss these
“When our teams need something, they usually need it right away. The more time we can save doing all those tedious tasks, the more time we can dedicate to supporting our student-athletes.”
Sarah Harris
Secretary, The University of Tennessee Athletics Foundation, Inc.
“Ramp had everything we were looking for, and even things we weren't looking for. The policy aspects, that's something I never even dreamed of that a purchasing card program could handle.”
Doug Volesky
Director of Finance, City of Mount Vernon
“Switching from Brex to Ramp wasn’t just a platform swap—it was a strategic upgrade that aligned with our mission to be agile, efficient, and financially savvy.”
Lily Liu
CEO, Piñata
“With Ramp, everything lives in one place. You can click into a vendor and see every transaction, invoice, and contract. That didn’t exist in Zip. It’s made approvals much faster because decision-makers aren’t chasing down information—they have it all at their fingertips.”
Ryan Williams
Manager, Contract and Vendor Management, Advisor360°
“The ability to create flexible parameters, such as allowing bookings up to 25% above market rate, has been really good for us. Plus, having all the information within the same platform is really valuable.”
Caroline Hill
Assistant Controller, Sana Benefits
“More vendors are allowing for discounts now, because they’re seeing the quick payment. That started with Ramp—getting everyone paid on time. We’ll get a 1-2% discount for paying early. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’re dealing with hundreds of millions of dollars, it does add up.”
James Hardy
CFO, SAM Construction Group
“We’ve simplified our workflows while improving accuracy, and we are faster in closing with the help of automation. We could not have achieved this without the solutions Ramp brought to the table.”
Kaustubh Khandelwal
VP of Finance, Poshmark
“I was shocked at how easy it was to set up Ramp and get our end users to adopt it. Our prior procurement platform took six months to implement, and it was a lot of labor. Ramp was so easy it was almost scary.”
Michael Natsch
Procurement Manager, AIRCO
