Helpful alerts to set up on your credit card

Quick insights

• Credit card alerts might help you stay on top of your spending, avoid late payments and more.
• Credit cards may offer a range of alert options and allow you to customize your notifications based on your needs and preferences.
• Setting up credit card alerts is typically a straightforward process that can be done through your credit card issuer's website or mobile app.

What are credit card alerts?

A credit card alert is, quite simply, an alert usually sent as a text message, smartphone alert, or email based on certain predetermined activity made with your credit card. Different credit cards may offer a range of options for the type of activity that can generate an alert, including payment due dates, card charges, balance notifications, posted payments and more.

Types of credit card alerts

While the relative usefulness of available credit card alerts will vary based on your usage, needs and interests, let’s take a moment to look more closely at a few popular types of alerts for credit cards and why they might be helpful.

Payment due date notification

Payment due date notifications may be especially helpful if you aren’t enrolled in automatic payments and want help remembering when you have an upcoming payment due.

Balance notification

These alerts are designed to inform you when your credit card balance reaches a predetermined threshold, which can help you stay aware of accumulating debt. This could potentially help to maintain a strong credit utilization ratio, which is one factor that determines your credit score. Setting up balance increase notifications could be a proactive step to help ensure your credit usage aligns with your overall financial goals and budgeting strategies.

Purchase notifications

Purchase notifications may alert you every time your card is used. These alerts are typically immediate and provide specific details about the amount and location of the transaction. This monitoring can help you track your spending and might quickly help you detect inaccuracies.

Spending limit notification

This notification alerts you when you are approaching or have reached your self-imposed spending limit or your card’s credit limit, which may help you avoid over-limit fees and manage your credit utilization ratio. Many cards allow you to customize this by setting exactly when you want to be notified.

How to set up credit card notifications

You may be able to set up credit card notifications through your credit card app or website.

Website

While the specifics will vary from website to website, the following tips can help you set up notifications for your card:

• Log in: Log in to your account and navigate to the account settings or profile section.
• Notifications: Look for an option related to alerts or notifications.
• Manage alerts: Select the types of alerts you want to receive and how you want to receive them (text, email, etc.).

App

Every credit card app is different, but here are some general tips for getting started:

• Log in: Open the app and log in to your account.
• Account settings: Tap on the menu or profile icon to access your account settings.
• Activate alerts: Look for an option related to alerts or notifications and select the alerts you want to set up.

Chase Mobile^® app

For a more specific example, here is how to set up alerts on the Chase Mobile app:

• Profile: Tap your profile icon
• Manage Alerts: Under Alerts Messages, tap Manage Alerts
• Activate alerts: Select the specific alerts you want to receive

Bottom line

Setting up credit card alerts may help you manage your account more effectively, avoid fees, track spending and more. Whether you’re new to credit cards or just looking to make more efficient use of the tools available, it can be worth taking the time to explore the alert options offered by your credit card issuer and set up the ones that best meet your needs.