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Chime Prepaid Card Review: Up to $550 in Bonuses! (July 2025 Update)

July 2025 Update: Swagbucks is currently offering substantial bonuses for new Chime accounts, providing up to an additional $450! Remember to sign up as a new user with Swagbucks before clicking through their link to open your Chime account. A unique advantage of this Chime offer is that the $100 referral bonus can be stacked with the Swagbucks cash back portal rewards, potentially netting you up to $550!

For a detailed guide on how to maximize your Chime bonuses, refer to our Chime Account Opening Bonus Stacking Steps (by Cloud) section.

Remember, you can stack the cash back portal bonuses with the $100 Chime referral bonus! To get the $100 Chime bonus, you must complete a $200 Direct Deposit after opening your account.

Chime Prepaid Card Application Link ($100 bonus after $200 Direct Deposit): Apply for Chime Prepaid Card Chime Prepaid Card application promotion

This article was collaboratively written by ymlulu and KUKU.

Table of Contents

About the Chime Prepaid Card

The Chime Prepaid Card is a reloadable debit card that can be used anywhere Visa Debit cards are accepted (anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted will also work). Chime frequently offers various promotions where you can earn instant cash back when you use your Chime card at specific merchants. This cash back is immediately deposited into your account. Furthermore, since this is a prepaid card, applying for it will not result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, meaning it won’t impact your credit score. Daily usage also won’t appear on your credit report.

Chime Prepaid Card illustration

Registration and Bonus Overview

Currently, by applying through certain referral links, you can earn a $100 account opening bonus (previous offers were $50/$75). To qualify, you need to set up a Direct Deposit of $200 or more within 45 days of opening your account. Applying for this type of prepaid card will not affect your credit history and involves no hard pull, so you can apply with confidence. This account also boasts no monthly fees, no fees for certain ATM withdrawals, no foreign transaction fees, and no minimum deposit requirements, making it quite user-friendly. We recommend reading the next steps before clicking the link.

Chime Prepaid Card Application Link ($100 bonus after $200 DD): Apply for Chime Prepaid Card Chime Prepaid Card application promotion

During registration, in addition to basic information like email, name, and address, you’ll also need to provide your date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification. Even though an SSN is required, applying for this prepaid card will not result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, thus having no impact on your credit score.

Chime Account Opening Bonus Stacking Steps (by Cloud)

The stacking strategy involves combining Chime’s account opening referral bonus with the rewards offered by Swagbucks. Theoretically, Chime may not intend to issue two separate bonuses, so there’s a risk of not receiving one or both, or even having them clawed back. However, based on actual tests, both bonuses have been successfully awarded. You can decide if you wish to attempt this ‘double-dip’ method.

If you don’t yet have a Swagbucks account, please register for one before starting Step One.

Cash Back Portal Application Link:

It’s highly recommended to read through all steps completely before beginning the process. Using Chrome on a desktop computer with ad blockers disabled is also advised.

  • Step One: In your Chrome browser, open the Chime $100 referral application link. Do not close this page throughout the entire process, even though you won’t directly use it again. Chime Application Link Chime Prepaid Card application promotion

  • Step Two: Open a new tab in the same browser. Log in to your Swagbucks account and locate the Chime offer. Click to begin the offer. You will need to fill in your basic personal information. Use the same email address as your Swagbucks account and create a password for Chime. The final step will prompt you to download the Chime app. Swagbucks

  • Step Three: On your phone, open the newly downloaded Chime app. Log in using the account details (email and password) you just created on your desktop browser (do not register for a new account again). After logging in, you’ll see a screen asking about Direct Deposit (as pictured below, courtesy of reader Vera from our WeChat group). At this step, select “Set up direct deposit” and then “Request a direct deposit form.” (You’ll receive a Direct Deposit email, but you don’t actually need to use this form). Based on the author’s data points and online reports, completing this step typically results in your Swagbucks points showing as “pending” within a few hours. Chime Direct Deposit setup screen

  • Step Four: Complete the Chime app login process and successfully view the $100 offer and its requirements (as shown below). Chime $100 offer details

A few hours later, check your Swagbucks account to confirm that the corresponding points are in a “pending” status (as shown below).

Swagbucks Chime pending status

If you successfully stack the bonuses, please share your experience in the comments section!

How to Earn the Account Opening Bonus

To receive the account opening bonus, in addition to completing registration and identity verification, you must also complete a Direct Deposit (DD) of $200 or more within 45 days of opening your account. DD typically refers to funds transferred directly to an individual from an employer or government entity.

For this Chime DD offer, besides standard payroll direct deposits, several other methods have been reported to trigger the bonus. The general process involves adding your Chime checking account information (routing and account number) to your existing bank, initiating a transfer, and sending $200 to your Chime account. Sometimes, adding an external account to your bank may require two small trial deposits; simply verify the amounts as prompted.

Confirmed methods that have triggered the Chime Direct Deposit bonus:

  • Schwab Checking transfer
  • Schwab Brokerage transfer
  • Blue Bird transfer
  • Serve transfer
  • Square Cash transfer (Square Cash App)
  • NWFCU transfer
  • [October 2020 Update] According to reader data points, using Fidelity, Cash App, or a Chase Checking withdrawal to Chime can now qualify as a Direct Deposit and activate the bonus. Note that Schwab transfers may sometimes encounter name mismatch issues.

The following methods have not been reported to trigger the bonus:

  • Capital One transfers

Once the Direct Deposit is successfully processed, the $100 bonus (previously $35/$50/$75) will be instantly credited to your account. If you’ve linked an external bank account, you can then easily withdraw the funds.

Chime Savings Account

Chime also offers a Savings Account that provides a 1% APY interest rate, with no hidden or miscellaneous fees. This can be a great option for setting aside funds while earning a decent return.

Chime Savings Account Interface

Chime+ Features

Chime has introduced a ‘Chime+’ feature, which offers enhanced benefits for those who meet certain criteria. These perks include higher interest rates on savings, more exclusive Chime deals, priority customer service, and more. The boosted savings interest rate of 3.75% APY is particularly appealing. To maintain Chime+ status, you need to complete a $200 direct deposit every 34 days.

Learn more about Chime+ Chime+ Features screenshot

Chime Card Promotions

Current Promotions

The Chime card periodically refreshes its offers, so keep an eye out for deals that might be useful to you.

Chime Card Current Offers

Past Promotions

(Note: Recent activity has mostly been advertisements, with fewer new offers.)

  • $5 off Cable Bill
  • Free $5 Toward Phone Bill with Chime – Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, BoostMobile, MetroPCS
  • Free $5 Amazon Gift Card with Chime
  • $50 Amex Gift Card for $45 with Chime
  • $5 Off ANY Purchase Of $50+ When Using The Chime Card

Summary

If you’re interested in this account opening bonus, it’s definitely worth taking advantage of. Chime has eliminated inactivity fees, so you can keep the card tucked away and simply load funds and use it when a relevant offer appears. Regarding taxes, account opening bonuses are treated similarly to checking account bonuses; a 1099-INT tax form will be issued at year-end. Don’t worry, just report it as required. Interest income generally does not impact F1 student visa status.