What is Chime SpotMe cash advance?

Yes, but SpotMe works more like a fee-free overdraft than a traditional lump-sum cash advance. Once you turn it on (no subscription cost) Chime automatically covers card purchases, ATM cash, cash-back at checkout, and similar transactions that would push your balance below zero—up to your personal SpotMe limit. That limit starts around $20 and can climb to about $200 or more as Chime sees regular direct deposits of at least $200/month, steady activity, and good account history.

There’s no interest and no required fees; you just repay the exact amount as soon as your next deposit lands. Tips are optional and never affect eligibility. SpotMe protection applies on both the Chime Visa Debit Card and the Credit Builder card (they share the same limit), but it doesn’t cover Pay Anyone transfers, ACH pulls, or app-to-app moves like PayPal or Venmo. If you grab cash from an out-of-network ATM, Chime still covers the overdraft but you’ll owe the ATM’s $2.50 fee.

1. Age: You must be at least 18
2. Chime account: Keep an open Chime Checking Account (and its linked Secured Deposit Account) in good standing with Chime+ status
3. Card on: Activate either the Chime Visa Debit Card or Credit Builder Visa; you can toggle SpotMe on/off for each, but they share one limit
4. Direct deposit: Receive at least one qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more into the Checking Account within the last 34 days and continue to get that amount (or higher) every month
5. Enroll & grow: Turn on SpotMe in the app; your limit starts around $20 and can rise to $200+ based on deposit size/frequency, account age, spending habits and other risk factors

Meet these checkpoints and SpotMe automatically covers eligible card purchases or cash withdrawals when your balance dips below zero, then repays itself from your next deposit.

SpotMe does more than just let you swipe when your balance hits zero—it comes with a few handy extras that smooth out day-to-day spending.

Two-card coverage

Once you turn SpotMe on, the same overdraft cushion works on both the Chime Visa Debit Card and the Secured Credit Builder Visa. Each card can be toggled on or off individually, but they still pull from one shared limit, so you don’t have to juggle separate balances.

Flexible, self-adjusting limit

Your buffer starts as low as $20 and can climb past $200 as your direct-deposit history, deposit size, account age and spending habits improve. The current limit shows in real time inside the app, and any increase or decrease comes with a push or email alert.

Boosts, bonuses and tipping

Friends with Chime can send each other one $5 SpotMe Boost per month, and Chime occasionally drops promotional bonuses—both temporarily raise your limit until the next month starts. After you’ve repaid the advance and your account is at least $20 in the positive, you can leave an optional, refundable tip that never affects your eligibility or limit.

What is and isn’t covered

SpotMe steps in for card-number purchases, ATM cash pulls, cash-back at checkout, over-the-counter cash and automatic card-number bill payments. It doesn’t cover Pay Anyone transfers, ACH debits, third-party payment apps, checkbook payments or moves between your Chime accounts, so plan around those gaps.