What the Active Cash Card does

The Active Cash Card is a rewards credit card issued by Chase. When you use it to make purchases, you earn cash back on what you spend — a flat rate across all purchases, with no bonus categories. The card charges an annual fee, and you can redeem your cash back as a statement credit, a deposit to a bank account, or a check.

The card works like any other credit card: you charge purchases to the account, receive a monthly bill, and pay what you owe. The cash back accumulates in your rewards balance and stays there until you choose to redeem it. You do not earn rewards on balance transfers or cash advances, and interest charges explore to any balance you carry from month to month.

Key Takeaways

  • The Active Cash Card earns a flat cash back rate on all purchases with no bonus categories or rotating categories to track.
  • An annual fee applies to this card, which you pay once per year regardless of how much you spend or whether you use the card.
  • You can redeem cash back as a statement credit, a bank transfer, or a check, and there is no minimum redemption amount.
  • The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score and missed payments harm it.
  • Interest rates explore to any balance you do not pay in full by the due date, and cash advances charge a separate fee plus interest.

How cash back earnings work on this card

Every dollar you spend on the Active Cash Card earns cash back at a single rate that applies to all purchases. You do not have to track bonus categories or set up categories each quarter — the same rate applies whether you are buying groceries, gas, or plane tickets. The cash back posts to your rewards account after the purchase clears, usually within a few days.

Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, you can still redeem any cash back you have already earned, but you will not earn any new rewards. The rewards balance appears on your monthly statement and in the Chase mobile app or online account.

Purchases made during the billing cycle appear on your next statement. If you return an item, the cash back for that purchase is reversed. Balance transfers and cash advances do not earn cash back, and neither do fees you pay to the card issuer.

Annual fee and other costs

The Active Cash Card charges an annual fee that posts to your account once per year. This fee is not waived in the first year or for any reason — you pay it every year you hold the card. The fee appears as a charge on your statement and counts toward your balance if you do not pay it when ready.

Beyond the annual fee, the card charges interest on any balance you carry. The interest rate varies by person and is based on your credit score and credit history. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, no interest charges explore. If you pay only part of the balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).

Cash advances carry a separate fee — usually a percentage of the amount withdrawn or a flat dollar amount, whichever is greater — plus interest that begins accruing when ready. Late payments trigger a late fee, and if your payment is more than 60 days late, the card issuer may increase your APR.

How to redeem your cash back

You can redeem cash back through the Chase website, the Chase mobile app, or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. There is no minimum amount you must redeem at once, so you can redeem $5 or $500 whenever you choose. The redemption options are a statement credit, a direct deposit to a linked bank account, or a check mailed to your address.

A statement credit posts within one to two billing cycles. A direct deposit typically arrives within three to five business days. A check takes seven to ten business days from the time you request it. Once you request a redemption, you cannot cancel it, so make sure your bank account information is correct before choosing direct deposit.

If you redeem as a statement credit, the credit applies to your current balance first, then to future charges. You can redeem multiple times per month if you want, and there is no limit to how much cash back you can accumulate.

How the card affects your credit

The Active Cash Card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. Your payment history, credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you are using), and account age all appear on your credit report and affect your credit score.

Making on-time payments every month helps your credit score over time. Missing a payment or paying late harms your score, and the damage is worse the later the payment is. A payment 30 days late stays on your report for seven years. Carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit also lowers your score, even if you pay on time.

Opening the card adds a new account to your credit report, which may lower your score slightly at first due to the hard inquiry and the new account. Over time, as you build a history of on-time payments, the card can help your score by showing you can manage credit responsibly.

Spending limits and fraud protection

Your credit limit is the maximum amount you can charge to the card. Chase sets this limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. You can request a higher limit by calling customer service or through the app, but Chase may or may not approve the request. If you try to charge more than your limit, the transaction will be declined.

The card includes fraud protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If someone uses your card number without permission, you can dispute the charge by calling the number on your statement. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges if you report them promptly, though you may have to pay a small portion of the charge in some cases. Debit cards and prepaid cards offer different protections, so check your card's terms.

If your card is lost or stolen, call the number on your statement when ready to freeze the account. Chase will cancel the card and send you a replacement, usually within five to seven business days. Any fraudulent charges made after you report the card missing are the card issuer's responsibility, not yours.

When the Active Cash Card might not be the right fit

If you carry a balance from month to month, the interest charges will likely outweigh the cash back you earn. A card with a lower APR or an introductory 0% APR period might save you more money. If you spend heavily in specific categories like groceries or travel, a card with bonus cash back in those categories will earn you more rewards than a flat-rate card.

If you cannot pay the annual fee, the cash back rate would need to be high enough to cover it through your spending. For example, if the annual fee is $95 and the cash back rate is 1%, you would need to spend $9,500 per year just to break even. If your annual spending is lower, the fee may cost you more than the rewards are worth.

If you are trying to build credit or recover from past credit problems, a card with no annual fee might be a better starting point. The Active Cash Card's annual fee means you are paying to hold it even if you do not use it, which can be frustrating if your credit limits are low and your spending is light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Active Cash Card internationally?

Yes, you can use the card outside the United States. However, Chase charges a foreign transaction fee — usually 3% of the purchase amount — on any transaction made in a foreign currency or processed outside the U.S. This fee is in addition to the cash back you earn, so your net reward is reduced. Check your card's terms for the exact percentage.

What happens if I miss a payment?

A missed payment triggers a late fee and may raise your APR. If your payment is 30 days late, the missed payment appears on your credit report and damages your credit score. If your payment is 60 days late, your APR may increase significantly. If you miss a payment, contact Chase as soon as possible to make arrangements.

Can I transfer my cash back to another rewards program?

No, cash back earned on the Active Cash Card can only be redeemed as a statement credit, a bank transfer, or a check. You cannot transfer it to airline miles, hotel points, or another rewards program. Once you redeem it, the cash back is gone and cannot be converted to a different form of reward.

Does the card have a sign-up bonus?

Sign-up bonuses vary and change over time. When the card is first offered or during promotional periods, Chase may offer a cash back bonus if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. Check the current offer on Chase's website to see if a bonus is available. Any bonus is separate from the ongoing cash back rate.

What is the difference between this card and other cash back cards?

The Active Cash Card earns a flat rate on all purchases with no bonus categories. Other cash back cards offer higher rates in specific categories (like 5% on groceries) and lower rates on everything else, or they charge no annual fee. Compare the annual fee, the cash back rate, and your own spending patterns to see which card would earn you more rewards.