Chase’s United Explorer & Club Cards Now Come With An EMV Chip

Chase is slowly rolling out EMV chips to all of their credit cards, with the hope to have them all EMV compatible before the October 2015 liability shift occurs for card issuers. It’s now possible to request an EMV chip on the following two cards from Chase:

• Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Credit Card
• United MileagePlus Club Card

These are chip + signature cards, not chip + PIN. This should make it easier to travel in European countries and where ever else EMV is standard – but you might still have some issues especially at unmanned kiosks as it lacks the PIN functionality.

You’ll need to call Chase to request a new card be sent out with an EMV chip. You’ll keep the same card number and card details, you should receive the new card within 7-10 business days. You might be able to get free expedited delivery if you have an overseas trip before that. I imagine any new applications will automatically start receiving the new EMV chip cards as well without specifically requesting it, but if you do apply it might be worth giving them a cal and putting in this request.

It’s also possible to get an EMV chip on the following cards issued by Chase:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire
• Chase Slate
• Chase Freedom
• Ink Plus
• Ink Cash
• British Airways Visa Signature Card
• The Hyatt Credit Card
• Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card
• Marriott Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
• The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card
• J.P. Morgan Select Visa Signature Card
• J.P. Morgan Palladium Card

Chase has been flip flopping on what they will do in regards to chip + PIN. Originally they planned to offer it “sometime in 2014”. An insider told the WSJ that these plans had been scrapped, which is something the Chase media time have denied. Either way it’s become pretty apparent that chip + PIN cards are not a priority for Chase.

Hat tip to avenezia on Flyertalk, via MileCards