Chime SpotMe: how it works
In brief
SpotMe isn’t a cash advance. It lets eligible Chime members overdraw on debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals, starting at $20 and up to $200, with no fees or interest. You repay automatically from your next deposit. Chime may offer an optional tip afterwards.
Fees and terms checked · Not financial advice
Not in the cost ranking: Overdraft coverage on card purchases and ATM withdrawals, not cash sent to you.
Every published price
Quoted from Chime’s own pages, checked November 8, 2026. Each line links to where it says so.
| Charge | Price | From Chime’s page |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | not required | You are not required to pay any charge or fee to be eligible to receive Chime SpotMe, or in return for receiving Chime SpotMe benefits.chime.com |
| Tips | optional | We may present you the option to pay a “tip” within the Chime Application once the Chime SpotMe is fully repaid. Payment of a tip is optional. Payment or non-payment of a tip will not affect your eligibilitychime.com |
| Out-of-network ATM fee | $2.50 | You want to withdraw $20 from an out-of-network ATM. A $2.50 out-of-network ATM fee will be charged plus any applicable fees imposed by the ATM owner-operator.help.chime.com |
| Third-party / OTC fees | see quote | Out-of-Network cash withdrawal fees apply as described in the Deposit Account Agreement... Third-party fees may apply to certain types of debit card transactions.chime.com |
Limits, eligibility and repayment
- Maximum
- $200.00 Your base SpotMe limit is set automatically by Chime and starts at $20. Over time, it may increase—up to a maximum of $200 help.chime.com
- To start
- $20.00 It starts at $20 and may increase with consistent qualifying direct deposits, Boosts from friends, or temporary promotional Bonuses. help.chime.com
- Who can get it
- Base Limit eligibility: You must have received a single deposit of $200 or more in Qualifying Direct Deposits or Qualifying Direct Deposits that cumulatively equal $400 or more into your Chime Checking Account over the preceding 34-day period. chime.com
- Credit check
- Not stated as yes or no Failure to repay a SpotMe negative balance does not affect your credit. Neither Bancorp nor Chime will furnish information about its users to credit reporting agencies. chime.com
- Repayment
- When you receive a direct deposit, or when funds are otherwise deposited to your Chime Checking Account, whichever is sooner, any negative balances resulting from your use of SpotMe will be automatically repaid. Unrepaid after 90 days: possible suspension; 120 days: account may be closed. chime.com
- Interest
- Please note that we do not charge interest on any outstanding SpotMe negative balance, and you will only be required to repay the exact amount of the negative balance. chime.com
- States
- No state restrictions are stated in the SpotMe Terms. chime.com
Worth knowing
- Needs at least $200 of qualifying direct deposits in the past 34 days ($400 cumulative also counts under the SpotMe terms).
- It doesn’t cover transfers to Cash App, Venmo or PayPal, bill payments by ACH, or moving money to savings.
Regulatory actions
From official sources only. A complaint states allegations; it is not a finding.
- CFPB (consent order): The CFPB found that Chime failed to refund remaining balances on closed accounts within 14 days in thousands of instances, sometimes beyond 90 days, which is unfair under the CFPA. Chime pays a $3.25 million civil money penalty and at least $1.3 million in redress (File 2024-CFPB-0002). Not about SpotMe or MyPay specifically. Status: The CFPB lists the status as Post Order/Post Judgment (page last modified 2024-05-07). Source
- California DFPI (consent order): DFPI found that Chime engaged in unfair acts under the California Consumer Financial Protection Law in how it handled customer complaints. Chime pays a $2.5 million penalty and must provide 24/7 customer service support with enough staffing and training, improve complaint handling, and report to DFPI annually for two years. Order dated 2024-02-24 per the DFPI action page; press release 2024-02-27. Status: Resolved by consent order. Source
- California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) (settlement agreement): DFPI found that Chime, not a licensed bank, violated Cal. Fin. Code s. 561 by using the URL 'chimebank.com' (before Feb 2020) and the words 'bank' and 'banking' in parts of its business. Chime agreed to a cease-and-desist on 'chimebank.com' and to review its website and advertising, without admitting the findings. Not about advances. Status: Resolved. Source
Close to Chime on cost
Albert Instant Advance
$0.00 · 0% APR
Chime MyPay
$3.00 · 78% APR
EarnIn Cash Out
$5.99 · 156% APR
MoneyLion Instacash
$7.50 · 196% APR
Sources for this page
- help.chime.com — Chime’s own page, checked Nov 8, 2026
- chime.com — Chime’s own page, checked Nov 8, 2026
- apps.apple.com — Chime’s own page, checked Nov 8, 2026
- CFPB, May 7, 2024 — consent order
- California DFPI, Feb 24, 2024 — consent order
- California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), Mar 29, 2021 — settlement agreement
How costs are calculated, what is left out and how to send a correction: methodology.
Cite this page
Best Cash Advance Apps. "Chime SpotMe: how it works and what it costs." Updated November 8, 2026. https://bestcashadvanceapps.com/apps/chime-spotme/