Waiting for a new or replacement card can be inconvenient because it limits your payment options until the plastic card arrives, which can take up to two weeks, depending on the bank. However, there are practical solutions that can alleviate this inconvenience. For example, some banks offer temporary cards that can be used in the interim period before the plastic card arrives.

Chase does not offer temporary cards, but you can enjoy cashless transactions immediately after the approval of your card with Spend Instantly®—an alternative to temporary debit or credit cards from Chase. With Spend Instantly, you can use your newly approved card in digital form while you’re waiting for the physical card to arrive.

Does Chase Offer a Temporary Debit Card?

While there is no Chase temporary debit card, you can enjoy cashless transactions immediately after the approval of your card with Spend Instantly®—an alternative to temporary debit cards from Chase. With Spend Instantly, you can use your newly approved card in digital form while you’re waiting for the physical card to arrive.

To help you understand Spend Instantly, this article explains:

• How the feature works
• Who’s eligible to use it
• How to access it
• How to make transactions with it

The information in this article is valid as of July 2023. The offer and terms and conditions of use are susceptible to change. For the most recent updates, visit Chase’s official website or contact support directly.

Source: Frugal Flyer

What Is Spend Instantly, and How Does It Work?

After being approved for a Chase credit or debit card, Chase allows you to access your new card via the Spend Instantly option. This feature enables you to add your new card to a digital wallet before the physical card arrives.

Once you connect the card to an e-wallet, you can^[1]:

1. Shop online and in-store
2. Book trips
3. Earn rewards and enjoy other benefits (in the case of credit cards)
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Spend Instantly works with most Chase cards, excluding^[1]:

• Mastercard^®
• Disney^®
• Amazon
• Business credit cards

You can add the above-mentioned cards to a digital wallet as well, but only after the physical card arrives^[1].

Note that Spend Instantly may entail limitations, potentially restricting certain transaction types or merchants.

Who Qualifies for Spend Instantly?

To access this feature, you must first request and get approved for an account or card with Chase. The criteria you typically need to fulfill are^[2]:

• Age (over 18)
• U.S. residency
• Valid identification documents
• Creditworthiness as demonstrated by a solid credit score and stable income (if applying for a credit card)

Even if you meet the above-listed criteria and are approved for an account with Chase, that doesn’t guarantee access to the Spend Instantly feature. The issuer reserves the right to deny the feature, so you should contact Chase to learn whether you qualify.

How To Access the Spend Instantly Feature

The first step to getting Spend Instantly is to apply for a new Chase account and/or card. If your application is approved, proceed with the following steps^[1]:

1. Open the Chase Mobile^® app and sign in
2. Find and select the new card
3. Scroll down to Account Service, then tap on Digital Wallets
4. Choose the digital wallet app— Apple Pay^®, Google Pay™, or Samsung Pay^®
5. Tap on the new card
6. Accept the terms and conditions if necessary

Note that you can only use Spend Instantly after adding the card to a digital wallet. This is different from temporary or virtual cards which typically allow you to enter the credentials directly on the merchant’s website.

How To Pay With Spend Instantly

Source: CardMapr.nl

To pay online with Spend Instantly, you should:

1. Select the digital wallet option at checkout
2. Confirm the purchase
3. Complete the authentication using the method specified in the settings (such as PIN entry and/or fingerprint scanning)

You can also buy in-store with your Chase card if the merchant accepts payments via digital wallet.

Spend Instantly—Advantages and Disadvantages

Learn about the pros and cons of Spend Instantly in the table below:

Digital Wallet vs. Virtual Card

Source: Gilles Lambert

Digital wallets and virtual cards are among the most popular digital payment solutions. Despite sharing some similarities, they are different financial products with specific functions and features.

A digital wallet or e-wallet is an app that securely stores your payment information, such as credit or debit card details and bank account data. It enables you to make payments quickly and safely with your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Popular digital wallets include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

A virtual card is a unique set of card details, including a card number, expiration date, and CVV/CVC. Connected to a real bank account or credit line, it masks your actual payment info to keep it safe from hacking attacks and other forms of cyber crime. In most cases, you can close your virtual card after a single purchase, and some providers will even enable you to lock it to specific merchants.

All financial institutions and payment processors take precautions and employ security measures to protect their clients. However, online threats are on the rise. Recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data reports consumers have lost nearly $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, a steep increase of more than 30% from the previous year. Seeking methods to mask your payment details is not only a good idea, but an essential step to securing your finances and warding off threats.

Many banks offer virtual cards, but you cannot get a Chase virtual card number (according to the information available at the time this article was published). While adding your Chase card to a digital wallet provides a layer of safety, this payment method lacks convenience and control virtual cards offer besides security.

Virtual cards are an excellent long-term solution for making online transactions safer. Even though Chase does not offer virtual cards, independent providers like Privacy allow you to use this payment method with your existing bank account.

Privacy Virtual Cards—The Secret to Safer and Faster Online Shopping

Privacy Virtual Cards mask your card or bank account details, so your financial data is not visible online. These cards have unique credentials, including the card number, expiration date and CVV/CVC. You can use Privacy Virtual Cards at most local or global vendors that accept U.S. cards. 

As a BBB^®-accredited business, Privacy upholds the highest standards of ethics and customer service. The company is also PCI-compliant and adheres to OWASP best practices, employing encryption and other robust security measures to keep the customers’ data safe. 

The Ins and Outs of Privacy Cards

With Privacy, you can generate:

1. Merchant-Locked Cards—These cards can be used only with one vendor. If a cybercriminal breaches the merchant’s server and acquires the card details, they won’t be able to use them anywhere else. 
2. Single-Use Cards—This card type is valid only for a single purchase. Even if a hacker gets hold of the number, they can’t use it as the card closes shortly after the transaction. 
3. Category-Locked Cards—This card type “locks” to a specific merchant category such as groceries or fitness. Vendors who don't belong to the predefined category can’t charge your card. Category-Locked Cards can help you control spending and limit unauthorized use in other categories.

To prevent hidden charges and overspending, you can set spending limits on each individual card, in which case Privacy will decline all the exceeding costs. 

You can also close or pause the cards at any time, which is helpful when you want to stop paying for an unwanted subscription or avoid overcharging.

Privacy—Additional Benefits

Besides effortless card management, Privacy entails many other benefits, including:

Privacy Eligibility and Pricing

To sign up for Privacy, you must be a U.S. resident over 18 years of age and have a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union. You can fund your Privacy Virtual Cards with a debit card or bank account.

The free Personal plan lets you create up to 12 Single-Use and Merchant-Locked virtual cards per month. It also gives you access to the browser extension, mobile app, and all card spending controls.

Privacy’s three other monthly plans include even more:

1. Plus ($5/month)—Includes all Personal plan features and allows the creation of up to 24 cards a month, including Category-Locked Cards. This plan also provides access to Shared Cards and customizable card notes, and it grants priority customer support.
2. Pro ($10/month)—Comes with all Plus plan features and lets you create up to 36 monthly cards. It also waives fees for all foreign transactions and gives you 1% cashback on eligible purchases (totaling up to $4,500 per month).
3. Premium ($25/month)—This plan provides everything in the Pro plan and includes up to 60 new virtual cards per month. 

How To Get Your First Privacy Card

Source: Christina Morillo

To give Privacy a try, you need to:

1. Fill out the signup form
2. Enter the mandatory details to verify your identity
3. Connect your bank account or debit card
4. Request your Privacy Virtual Card
   ‍

Sign up for Privacy today and build a wall of protection around your sensitive banking information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Chase Have a Virtual Card?

No, Chase doesn't have a virtual card. However, you can use independent providers like Privacy to generate virtual cards with your existing Chase bank account. This way, you can still create an extra layer of protection for your online transactions.

Does Chase Give You a Temporary Debit Card? 

If you're looking for a temporary debit card, Chase doesn't offer one. However, you can approve your card with Spend Instantly^® to create an instant digital card for use before your physical card arrives. Keep in mind that the card from Spend Instantly^® won't work until you add it to a digital wallet.

In case of lost or stolen cards, Chase requires you to report the incident immediately by calling 1-800-955-9060 or through the Chase Mobile® app by selecting "Replace a lost or damaged card" and following the prompts.

Once Chase receives your report, they will process and send you a new card within five to seven business days. During this waiting period, you can use Spend Instantly to make cashless transactions without any delays or inconvenience.

Does Chase Bank Issue Instant Debit Cards?

No, Chase no longer issues debit cards on the spot. It will take about a week after opening an account to get your physical debit card. If you haven't received your card after two weeks, request one online or use the Chase Mobile^® app^[3].

How To Track Your Chase Debit Card Delivery?

The best way to track your debit card delivery is by calling Chase's customer service (1-800-935-9935) and asking about the status of your debit card. You can also visit the local branch and ask for help directly.

If you request expedited shipping (for a fee), Chase will send you tracking information that you can use to see when your card is most likely to arrive.

Can You Use Your Chase Debit Card Before It Arrives, and How?

Yes, Chase's digital card SpendInstantly® enables you to use your debit card to pay for purchases online and in-store before the physical card arrives. You can add the virtual card to a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, which lets you make contactless payments with your phone at checkout.

References

^[1] Chase, https://www.chase.com/digital/spend-instantly, July 2023

^[2] Chase, https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/what-you-need-to-open-a-bank-account, July 2023

^[3]Chase. https://www.chase.com/personal/personal-account/faqs/debit-atm-card, Sourced October 18, 2024

Other Virtual Card Resources to Help Find Your Fit

Here are some guides about how virtual cards work.

Find answers to questions about virtual card offerings from specific banks and financial service providers below.