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Can You Add Money to Chime® with a Credit Card?
July 1, 2025
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Quick Answer
No. Chime® says credit cards, gift cards, and international cards can't be linked for transfers, so you can't add money to your Chime Checking Account with a credit card. You can add money with direct deposit, a bank transfer, an instant transfer from an eligible debit card, mobile check deposit, or cash at a retail partner.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
Why Can't You Use a Credit Card With Chime?
Chime only lets you link debit cards and bank accounts in your name for transfers. Even if a workaround through a third-party app existed, moving credit card money into a bank account is usually treated as a cash advance by the card issuer.
Cash advances typically come with a fee and interest that starts right away, with no grace period. That makes them an expensive way to move money. Learn more in our guide to cash advances.
How to Add Money to Chime
Chime lists five main ways to add money to your account.
- Direct deposit: Give your employer or benefits provider your Chime routing and account numbers. Chime advertises access to your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit.
- Instant transfer from a debit card: Link an eligible external debit card in your name. Inbound instant transfers have no Chime fee and a $5 minimum. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover debit cards issued in the U.S. are eligible; American Express cards are not.
- Bank transfer: Move money from a linked account at another bank by ACH transfer.
- Mobile check deposit: Deposit a check in the Chime app.
- Cash deposit: Deposit cash at a retail partner (see below).
Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
How Do Cash Deposits at Retailers Work?
Chime partners with more than 90,000 retail locations, including Walgreens, Duane Reade, Walmart, 7-Eleven, Dollar General, Family Dollar, CVS, and Circle K. Walgreens and Duane Reade don't charge a deposit fee, while other retail partners set their own fee, which Chime says is typically $3 to $5 per transaction.
Chime's limits are up to $3,000 per transaction and per day, up to five deposits per day, and $10,000 per month. Retailers may set lower limits, and you can't deposit cash at ATMs.
Can Someone Send You Money on Chime?
Yes. With Pay Anyone, other Chime members can send you money instantly, and Chime doesn't charge either side a fee for Pay Anyone transfers. People without Chime can't send to you through Pay Anyone unless they join Chime.
Use Your Credit Card Where It Earns More
Since a credit card can't fund Chime, put it to work on regular purchases instead, where you earn rewards without cash advance costs. If you carry both a Chime Visa® Debit Card and credit cards, Kudos helps you track your cards in one place and autofills the card that earns the most when you shop online.
To find a card that fits your spending, compare cards in Kudos Explore. You can also read our review of the Chime Visa® Debit Card and whether Chime works with Apple Pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a credit card to Chime?
No. Chime says credit cards, gift cards, and international cards can't be linked for transfers. Only eligible debit cards and bank accounts in your name can be linked.
Is there a fee to add money to Chime from a debit card?
Chime doesn't charge a fee for inbound instant transfers from an external debit card. The minimum transfer is $5.
Where can I deposit cash into Chime without a fee?
Walgreens and Duane Reade don't charge a fee for Chime cash deposits. Other retail partners typically charge $3 to $5.
Can I deposit cash at an ATM?
No. Chime cash deposits are made at retail partners, not ATMs.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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