Chase allows you to prequalify for its credit cards through a standard preapproval process in which you submit some preliminary information. Chase will use your data to do a soft credit inquiry on your credit history to see whether your request for a new card will likely be approved or declined. A soft credit check involves the credit card company contacting one of the major credit bureaus and collecting certain limited information. The inquiry is called soft because it won’t hurt your credit score, part of which is impacted by full-blown requests for new credit. If Chase preapproves you, you can then apply for the card, and the chances are excellent (but not guaranteed) you’ll be accepted after Chase performs a hard credit check. Prequalifying is a good idea because it saves you from the damage of a hard inquiry in cases where you would most likely be turned down for a new card. That damage can be a five- to 10-point drop in your FICO score that lasts for up to one year. The damage can be greater if you flood the zone with multiple requests for new credit within a short period (under two to three months).