What a Chase cash advance is and how it works

A cash advance on a Chase credit card lets you withdraw cash using your card's credit line instead of your debit account. You can get the cash at an ATM, a bank teller window, or sometimes through a convenience check that comes with your account. The money hits your account when ready, but Chase charges you fees and interest from day one — there is no grace period like there is with regular purchases.

Chase treats a cash advance as a separate transaction from your regular card balance. The interest rate on cash advances is usually higher than your purchase APR, and you pay a one-time fee upfront (typically 3% to 5% of the amount you withdraw). These costs stack fast, so a cash advance is most useful when you need cash urgently and have a plan to pay it back within a few weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase cash advances charge an upfront fee (usually 3% to 5%) plus a higher interest rate than purchases, with interest starting when ready.
  • You can withdraw cash at any ATM using your card, or visit a Chase branch or other bank to withdraw from a teller.
  • Your cash advance limit is separate from your credit limit and is usually lower — you can find it in your online account or by calling the number on your card.
  • Payments to your cash advance balance go toward the lowest-interest debt first, so paying down a cash advance takes longer if you also carry a purchase balance.
  • Chase offers convenience checks as an alternative that may have different terms, so check your account mail or ask about them before using an ATM.

How to withdraw a cash advance at an ATM

Insert your Chase credit card into any ATM that accepts Visa or Mastercard (depending on which card you have). Enter your PIN — this is the same PIN you set up when you opened the account, or you can set one now if you have not already. Select "Withdrawal" or "Cash Advance," enter the amount, and the ATM will dispense the cash and charge your card when ready.

If you do not remember your PIN, you can reset it through your Chase online account, through the Chase mobile app, or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. The reset usually takes a few minutes. Some ATMs have daily withdrawal limits (often $500 to $1,000), so if you need more than that, you may need to make multiple withdrawals or use a different method.

Getting cash from a Chase branch or other bank

Walk into any Chase branch with your card and ask the teller for a cash advance. You will need to show your ID. The teller will process the transaction on the spot and hand you the cash. If you bank at a different institution, you can usually get a cash advance there too — most banks and credit unions will process a cash advance on any major credit card, though they may charge an additional fee on top of Chase's fee.

This method is useful if you need a large amount of cash or if you do not have a PIN set up yet. It also avoids ATM daily limits. Call ahead to confirm the branch has enough cash on hand if you are withdrawing a very large amount.

Understanding your cash advance limit and fees

Your cash advance limit is the maximum amount you can withdraw, and it is usually 20% to 50% of your total credit limit — so if your credit limit is $5,000, your cash advance limit might be $1,000. You can find your exact limit by logging into your Chase account online, checking your statement, or calling the customer service number on your card.

Chase charges a cash advance fee upfront, typically 3% to 5% of the amount you withdraw. So a $500 cash advance costs $15 to $25 in fees alone. On top of that, the interest rate on cash advances is usually 2% to 5% higher than your purchase APR, and interest accrues daily from the moment you withdraw the cash — there is no interest-free period. If you withdraw $500 at a 25% APR, you owe about $3.42 in interest per day until you pay it off.

How cash advance payments are applied to your balance

When you make a payment on your Chase card, the money goes toward your lowest-interest debt first. If you have both a purchase balance and a cash advance balance, your payment covers the purchase balance (which usually has a lower rate) before it touches the cash advance. This means if you owe $2,000 in purchases and $500 in a cash advance, and you send in a $500 payment, that entire payment goes to the purchase balance, and the cash advance keeps accruing interest untouched.

To pay off a cash advance faster, you can request that a payment be applied to it specifically. Call the customer service number on your card and tell the representative you want your next payment to go toward the cash advance balance. Some cardholders also choose to pay the cash advance in full when ready to stop the interest clock, then pay off purchases over time.

Alternatives to a cash advance

Convenience checks are checks that come with some Chase accounts and draw directly from your credit line. They usually have the same fee and interest rate as a cash advance, but they may offer a promotional rate for a set period (like 0% for 6 months). Check your account mail or log into your online account to see if you have them available.

Balance transfers let you move debt from another card to your Chase card, often at a lower rate or with an introductory 0% period. This is not the same as a cash advance, but it is another way to access credit quickly if you are trying to consolidate debt.

If you need cash and want to avoid fees, a personal loan from a bank or credit union often has a lower rate than a cash advance and no upfront fee. You can also ask your employer about paycheck advances, or check whether you have a line of credit through your bank account that you can draw from.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Chase credit card to withdraw cash from any ATM?

Yes, you can use your card at any ATM that displays your card's logo (Visa or Mastercard). However, ATMs outside the Chase network may charge an additional fee on top of Chase's cash advance fee. Using a Chase ATM or a branch avoids this extra charge.

What happens if I do not pay back a cash advance?

Interest and fees continue to accrue daily, and the balance is reported to credit bureaus. If you fall behind on payments, Chase may report it as a late payment, which damages your credit score. The debt can also be sent to a collection agency if it goes unpaid for several months.

Is there a way to get a cash advance with no fee?

Chase does not waive cash advance fees. However, some cards offer promotional rates on cash advances for a limited time — check your account terms or call customer service to see if yours does. Otherwise, the fee is unavoidable.

Can I get a cash advance if my credit limit is maxed out?

No. Your cash advance limit is part of your total credit limit, so if you have used your full limit, you cannot withdraw a cash advance. You would need to pay down your balance first or request a credit limit increase.

How long does a cash advance stay on my credit report?

A cash advance itself does not appear separately on your credit report — it is part of your credit card balance. However, if you miss payments on the cash advance, that late payment stays on your report for seven years.