Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstores and dining, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 1.5% on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus
Earn $200 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score
Good, Excellent
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Chase Slate Edge®
Chase Slate Edge®
The Slate Edge does not offer rewards on purchases.
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
18.99% to 28.99% Variable
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Slate Edge®* offer low introductory APRs, consumer insurances like purchase protection and extended warranty benefits and neither charges an annual fee. The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers rewards in bonus categories and a minimum of 1.5% cash back on all spending, while the Chase Slate Edge is targeted toward customers who carry a balance.
You might expect that choosing between these two options is a tradeoff between earning rewards and saving money on interest. However, even for consumers who want to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers better value thanks to its generous introductory APR offer.
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Chase Slate Edge Overview
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | Chase Slate Edge | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases | This card does not earn rewards |
| Welcome Bonus | Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | This card does not offer a welcome bonus |
| Intro APR | 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% to 28.49% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer applies | 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% to 28.99% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater applies |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
Welcome Bonus
While the Chase Freedom Unlimited allows cardholders to earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, cardholders of Chase Slate Edge aren’t provided a welcome bonus opportunity.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstores and dining, including takeout andRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn $200 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Credit Score
Good, Excellent (670 - 739)
A good overall spending card that allows you to hold a balance on new purchases with a low introductory APR, pay no annual fee, and still earn at least 1.5% cashback on all purchases
- Earn a minimum of 1.5% back on all purchases
- Long intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- Generous welcome bonus and no annual fee
- Foreign transaction fee
- Similar cards offer a higher base earnings rate of 2%
- Good to excellent credit required for approval
- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% – 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Annual Fee
Neither the Chase Freedom Unlimited nor the Chase Slate Edge charges an annual fee.
Earning Rewards
The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases.
Meanwhile, the Chase Slate Edge doesn’t earn rewards. This makes comparing the rewards potential of these two cards rather simple: If you’re looking for a card with rewards, don’t choose the Chase Slate Edge.
Chase Slate Edge®
No Rewards
The Slate Edge does not offer rewards on purchases.
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.99% to 28.99% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (670 - 739)
The Chase Slate Edge is a reasonable option for those looking to consolidate debt.
- Introductory APR
- Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
- No annual fee
- Doesn’t earn rewards
- High balance transfer fee
- High foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- Low introductory APR offer
- Access to monitor credit score with Chase Credit Journey
- Automatic, one-time account review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time and spend $500 in the first six months
Introductory APRs
The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers cardholders a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% to 28.49% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer applies.
The Chase Slate Edge offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% to 28.99% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater applies.
The introductory periods of both cards extend to both purchases and balance transfers, so neither card offers more versatility than the other. The Chase Slate Edge’s slightly longer introductory period gives it an advantage over the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Our lists of the best balance transfer cards and the best 0% introductory APR cards may help you compare these cards’ offers to other low introductory APR offers.
If you want to transfer a balance to save on interest or defer payments of a large purchase over a longer period, the Chase Freedom Unlimited might still be a good option. If you need to carry a balance longer than the introductory APR period, check out some low-interest credit cards to find the best option for you.
Travel and Insurance Protections
Both the Freedom Unlimited and the Slate Edge offer an above-average suite of consumer and travel insurance protections for no-annual-fee credit cards. Both cards come with purchase protection that covers new purchases against damage or theft and extended warranty protection that extends manufacturers’ warranties up to an additional year. If you’re on the road, both cards provide secondary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited pulls ahead by offering additional travel insurance protections. The Freedom Unlimited offers cardholders trip cancellation and interruption insurance, which can cover prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations.
Fees and APR
The Chase Freedom Unlimited’s regular ongoing APR is comparable to the Chase Slate Edge. One nice feature of the Chase Slate Edge is its ongoing APR reduction: Each year, your APR is reduced by 2%, though limits apply.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Interest Rates and Fees
- Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.49% Variable
- Purchase intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Balance transfer intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Foreign purchase transaction fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Chase Slate Edge Interest Rates and Fees
- Regular APR: 18.99% to 28.99% Variable
- Purchase intro APR: 0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months from account opening
- Balance transfer intro APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months from account opening
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Foreign purchase transaction fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Consider Neither Chase Freedom Unlimited Nor Chase Slate Edge For
A Robust Travel Card for Frequent Travelers
While the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Slate Edge offer some travel benefits, such as a secondary auto rental collision damage waiver, these cards aren’t meant to provide a comprehensive suite of travel benefits. If you’re a road warrior looking for a card to be your traveling companion, there are better travel credit card options.
For a credit card with travel insurance such as lost luggage insurance, trip delay protection or primary rental car insurance, consider a credit card with travel insurance benefits.
Maximizing Rewards in Category Purchases
If you enjoy maximizing rewards, consider one of the many credit cards with increased earnings for specific spending categories, either as rotating quarterly bonus categories or in select categories on an ongoing basis.
If you’re interested in rotating bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited’s sibling, the Chase Freedom Flex®, offers rotating category bonuses that have historically included gas stations, Amazon.com, PayPal, Walmart and wholesale clubs (activation is required). Another option for rotating categories is the Discover it® Cash Back credit card, which also features similar quarterly category bonuses that require activation and have spending caps.
If you spend a lot in specific categories such as travel, restaurants or groceries, a card offering ongoing increased rewards in one or more bonus categories might be for you. Many cards offer ongoing bonus categories, but here are a few favorites:
- American Express® Gold Card: 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel, 2 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases
- Amazon Visa Credit Card*: 3% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% back on all other purchases
- Citi Custom Cash® Card*: 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category up to the first $500 spent each billing cycle and1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, 4% additional cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
Absolute Maximum Cash-Back Rewards on Everyday Purchases
Maybe you only want one card to earn the most cash back on all purchases. If you want to maximize cash back on general purchases and don’t value bonus categories, check out the Citi Double Cash® Card, which offers 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, and earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
If you have significant assets at Bank of America or are willing to move $100,000 in investment accounts to Merrill Edge, combining the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card with Bank of America Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors status can net you a best-in-class 2.62% cash back on all purchases.
Bottom Line
If you want a rewarding cash-back credit card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is the clear choice between these two cards. It offers both solid everyday rewards and more consumer insurance protections than the Chase Slate Edge.
If you want a card with a long introductory APR and a low ongoing rate, the Chase Slate Edge might be worth a look. But if you frequently carry balances on your credit cards, you may also want to consider another type of loan.
To view rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I get approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Approval for the Chase Freedom Unlimited hinges on your creditworthiness. Improve your credit as much as possible and present the best possible picture of your income. You can apply via Chase’s website.
What credit score is needed for the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
No credit score guarantees approval for the Chase Freedom Unlimited, since creditworthiness is not decided entirely on credit score. We estimate the card requires a credit rating of good or better, meaning a minimum score of 670 on the FICO Score scale. If you’re concerned your credit isn’t adequate, you should work to improve your score before applying.
Why did I get denied for the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Reasons for credit card application denial will be case-specific, which is to say that the reason you’re denied may be different from the next person’s. Luckily, credit card companies must present the reason for your denial in writing within 30 days. The reason they provide should help you learn what you can do to improve your application.
What credit score is needed for the Chase Slate Edge?
Creditworthiness is not decided entirely by your credit score, so no score will be guaranteed to secure approval for the Chase Slate Edge. We’d expect most applicants to need a good or better credit rating—670 or better on the FICO scale—but your income and other financial and credit factors will also influence the issuer’s decision. If you’re concerned about your score, you can take steps to increase your chances of approval.
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