What the Active Cash Card Does

The Active Cash Card is a rewards credit card issued by Chase that gives you cash back on every purchase you make. Unlike a debit card that pulls money from your bank account, the Active Cash Card is a credit card — you borrow money from Chase, use it to buy things, and then pay back what you owe at the end of the month.

The card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no categories to track and no spending caps. That means whether you buy groceries, gas, or plane tickets, you get the same cash back rate. The cash back shows up as a credit on your statement or can be transferred to a linked Chase bank account.

This is different from category cards that give you higher cash back in specific areas like groceries or travel. With Active Cash, you trade the possibility of earning more in certain categories for the simplicity of earning the same rate everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • The Active Cash Card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no category limits or rotating categories to track.
  • Cash back appears as a statement credit or can be sent to your Chase bank account, and you can use it whenever you want.
  • You pay an annual fee to hold this card, so the cash back needs to outweigh that cost for the card to save you money.
  • The card reports to the three credit bureaus, so using it responsibly and paying on time helps build your credit history.
  • You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, both in stores and online, just like any other credit card.

How Cash Back Appears on Your Account

Cash back from the Active Cash Card shows up automatically as a statement credit — a reduction in what you owe. If you spend $1,000 in a month, you earn $15 in cash back, and your bill is reduced by that amount. You do not have to do anything to claim it; Chase calculates and applies it for you.

You can also choose to have your cash back sent directly to a Chase bank account instead of reducing your bill. This is useful if you want to keep the cash separate from your credit card balance or if you want to move it to a savings account. You request this through your Chase online account or mobile app.

There is no minimum amount of cash back you need to earn before you can use it, and there is no expiration date. Cash back stays on your account until you use it, so you can let it build up if you want to use it for a larger purchase later.

Annual Fee and Whether the Card Pays for Itself

The Active Cash Card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year to keep the card open. This fee is charged to your account automatically, usually on your card anniversary date (the date you opened the account).

To figure out whether this card saves you money, you need to know the annual fee amount and compare it to how much cash back you earn in a year. If you spend $10,000 per year, you earn $150 in cash back at the 1.5% rate. If the annual fee is less than $150, the card pays for itself. If the annual fee is higher, you would need to spend more to break even.

Chase sometimes waives the annual fee for the first year when you open a new account, which gives you a chance to see how much you use the card before you pay the fee. Check your welcome offer when you open the account to see if this applies to you.

Using the Card for Purchases and Payments

Once your Active Cash Card is activated, you can use it anywhere that accepts Visa — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and subscription services. You swipe, insert, or tap the card at checkout, or you enter the card number online. The purchase is charged to your credit card account, not pulled from your bank account.

You can also add the card to digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay if your phone supports it. This lets you pay by holding your phone near a contactless reader instead of carrying the physical card.

Every purchase you make earns 1.5% cash back, whether it is a $2 coffee or a $500 flight. There are no bonus categories and no caps on how much cash back you can earn, so high-spending months earn more cash back than low-spending months.

How to Pay Your Active Cash Card Bill

At the end of each billing cycle, Chase sends you a bill showing everything you charged to the card during that month, minus any cash back credits. You can pay this bill in several ways: through your Chase online account, through the Chase mobile app, by phone, by mail, or by setting up automatic payments.

You have a grace period — usually 21 days from the end of your billing cycle — to pay your bill without being charged interest. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you pay no interest. If you pay only part of the balance, interest is charged on the remaining amount at the card's APR (annual percentage rate), which varies based on your credit.

Setting up automatic payments is the easiest way to avoid missing a due date. You can choose to pay the full balance automatically each month, or a fixed amount, or the minimum payment. Most people choose to pay the full balance to avoid interest charges.

How the Active Cash Card Affects Your Credit

Using the Active Cash Card responsibly helps build your credit history because Chase reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. Your payment history, credit utilization (how much of your credit limit you are using), and account age all factor into your credit score.

Paying your bill on time every month is the single biggest factor in building credit with this card. Late payments hurt your score and stay on your credit report for seven years. Keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit also helps — most lenders prefer to see you using less than 30% of your available credit.

If you have never had a credit card before, the Active Cash Card can be a tool to build credit, but only if you use it responsibly. Charging more than you can pay back or missing payments will damage your credit score instead of improving it.

What Happens if You Lose Your Card or It Gets Stolen

If your Active Cash Card is lost or stolen, call the customer service number on the back of your card or log into your Chase account online to report it when ready. Chase will freeze the card so no one else can use it, and they will send you a replacement card.

You are protected against fraudulent charges under federal law — if someone uses your card without permission, you are not responsible for those charges as long as you report the fraud promptly. Chase will investigate and remove the fraudulent charges from your account.

While you wait for your replacement card to arrive, you can still pay your bill and manage your account online. If you need to make purchases, you can use a different payment method or ask Chase to expedite a replacement card for a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Active Cash Card internationally?

Yes, you can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted outside the United States. However, Chase charges a foreign transaction fee (usually 3% of the purchase amount) on purchases made in foreign currencies. The 1.5% cash back still applies, but the foreign fee reduces your net benefit.

What is the credit limit on the Active Cash Card?

Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Chase sets your initial limit when you open the account, and you can request an increase after you have used the card responsibly for several months. Your limit is shown in your online account.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Active Cash Card?

Yes, many credit cards allow balance transfers, though the Active Cash Card may charge a balance transfer fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred). Check your welcome offer to see if Chase is currently waiving this fee for new cardholders.

What happens if I do not pay my bill?

If you miss a payment, Chase charges late fees and interest on the unpaid balance. Your account is reported as late to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score. After several months of missed payments, Chase may close your account and send the debt to a collection agency.

Can I use the Active Cash Card to withdraw cash from an ATM?

Yes, you can use the card at any ATM to withdraw cash, but Chase charges a cash advance fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount) and charges interest when ready on the cash advance at a higher rate than regular purchases. Cash back from purchases is different — that is information programs credited to your account.