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If you’re faced with a decision whether to select a no-annual-fee credit card that earns rewards on your purchases or one that doesn’t, you’d probably select the card that earns rewards. However, the decision of selecting the right credit card in this example, may not be so simple.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠, for example, offers robust rewards-earning opportunities and redemption options, while the Chase Slate Edge℠ does not even earn rewards. The Chase Slate Edge card, however, has other strengths that could still make it a good card choice.
Keeping in mind that there are various factors influencing your choice of credit cards, today’s comparison focuses on these 2 cards that are quite different from each other. Each card, however, could be the perfect choice for a particular situation, and that’s what we plan to explore.
In today’s article, we’ll expand on the details of both cards, and how each card could add value for the right cardholder.
With this objective in mind, read on as we explore our 2 featured cards.
Freedom Flex Card vs. Chase Slate Edge Card — Summary
Before we get into the details of the Freedom Flex card and Chase Slate Edge card, let’s look at a high-level overview of what each card has to offer.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months.
No welcome offer available
Earning Potential
5% cash-back on travel purchased via Chase Travel portal
5% cash-back on rotating quarterly bonus categories
3% cash-back at drugstores and on dining
1% cash-back on all other purchases
The card does not earn rewards
Redemption Options
Cash-back, gift cards, shopping at select retailers
Travel via Chase Travel
Chase Experiences
Pay Yourself Back
Transfer rewards to premium Chase Ultimate Rewards cards
N/A
Travel Benefits and Protections
Auto rental collision damage waiver
Roadside dispatch
Additional Travel Benefits and Protections
Trip cancellation, trip interruption
N/A
Shopping Benefits and Protections
Purchase protection, extended warranty
Additional Shopping Benefits and Protections
Cell phone protection
Chase Offers
Shop With Chase
DoorDash DashPass
Instacart
N/A
Credit Management Tools
My Chase Plan
Chase Credit Journey
Additional Credit Management Tools
N/A
Opportunity for a reduced APR, terms apply
Increased credit limit review
Bottom Line: The Freedom Flex card earns rewards on every purchase, has several options at redemption time, and offers travel/shopping benefits. The Chase Slate Edge card’s strengths include credit management tools that can save you money and help manage your credit, both of which can deliver value for the right cardholder.
The Value of a Welcome Bonus
Most rewards-earning credit cards offer an initial welcome bonus for which you can qualify immediately after card account approval. Here’s a look at the current welcome offer, if any, on each card:
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.
The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.
Pros
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Excellent cell phone insurance
Ability to pool points
Mastercard World Elite benefits
Cons
3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 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 unlimited 1% cash back 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!
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option for those looking to build their credit.
The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option for those looking to build their credit.
None
$0
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Chase revamped the Chase Slate Edge℠ in 2021. It’s a no-annual-fee card designed for those looking to build their credit or those who need a low-interest APR card for a large purchase or balance transfer.
While the Chase Slate Edge card does not offer the opportunity to earn any rewards, it is a great option for those who are just beginning their credit journey, and the card still offers lucrative benefits that any cardholder would find value in.
Pros
No annual fee
Lower your interest rate by 2% each year
Raise your credit limit when you pay on time
Access to Chase Credit Journey to monitor your credit
Purchase protection
Extended warranty protection
Auto rental collision damage waiver
Cons
Does not earn any credit card rewards
Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
Lower your interest rate by 2% each year. Automatically be considered for an APR reduction when you pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on your card by your next account anniversary.
Raise your credit limit. Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
All for no annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Edge℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
While the Chase Slate Edge card does not earn rewards, the Freedom Flex card has a robust earning structure. Rewards are earned first as Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash-back and more.
Here’s how you’ll earn rewards on the Freedom Flex card:
Quarter Bonus Categories — After activating the quarterly offer, you’ll earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter; rotating quarterly bonus categories have included gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, Amazon, PayPal, and more
Drugstores and Dining — 3% cash-back
All Other Purchases — 1% cash-back
Bottom Line: Every purchase you make on the Freedom Flex card earns rewards. With bonus earnings on the Chase travel portal, at drugstores, on dining, and with rotating quarterly bonus categories, the card offers plenty of options to accumulate rewards quickly. The Chase Slate Edge card does not earn rewards.
Redemption Options
Redemption options for the rewards earned on the Freedom Flex card are many. Here are the choices you’ll have at redemption time:
Cash-back, gift cards, Chase Experiences, or travel via the Chase travel portal
Redeem rewards to shop at Amazon, with PayPal, and at Apple
In addition to these redemption options, one of the best ways to maximize the cash-back earned on the Freedom Flex card is to transfer rewards to premium Chase credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Once transferred, you can redeem for travel via the Chase travel portal for up to 50% more in value. You can also then transfer rewards to the Chase hotel and airline partners for potentially even greater value.
Bottom Line: The best value for the rewards earned on the Freedom Flex card may be realized by transferring rewards to a Chase Premium card, redeeming for travel via Chase Travel, or subsequently transferring rewards to hotel and airline partners.
Travel Benefits and Protections
Enjoy your road trip knowing you have additional travel protections. Image Credit: Maurício Eugênio via Pexels
Both the Freedom Flex card and the Chase Slate Edge card come with the following travel protections:
Rental Car Collision Damage Waiver — Use your card to reserve and pay for your rental car in full, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage and receive coverage for damage and theft. Coverage is secondary within your country of residence and subject to any other insurance that may apply.
Roadside Dispatch — For 1 flat pre-negotiated fee, you can receive roadside services that include standard winching, jump-start services, limited, towing, tire changing, and more. The fee for the service call and any additional services received beyond those provided with the coverage will be charged to the associated card.
Additional Travel Protections — Freedom Flex Card
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance — Receive up to $1,500 per covered person ($6,000 per covered trip) for non-refundable expenses when your trip is disrupted due to a covered event.
Shopping Benefits and Protections
Both the Freedom Flex card and Chase Slate Edge card offer several shopping benefits and protections that can save you money or provide protection for eligible items purchased with your card.
Introductory 0% APR — At various times, both cards can offer a 0% introductory APR offer. Current offers are shown in the tables above, but historically, these cards generally offer an introductory APR that can really help your business’ bottom line and avoid interest fees and payments.
Purchase Protection — Eligible items purchased with your card that have manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less will receive an additional year of warranty.
Extended Warranty — When you purchase an eligible item with your card, you could receive up to $500 per claim for damage or theft within the first 120 days after the purchase date. There is a maximum limit of $50,000 per account.
Additional Shopping Benefits and Protections — Freedom Flex Card
In addition to the above shopping benefits and protections, the Freedom Flex card offers these additional features.
Cell Phone Protection — It’s unusual to find cell phone protection on a no-annual-fee card, but the Freedom Flex card has this benefit. Pay for your monthly cell phone bill with your Freedom Flex card and receive up to $800 per covered claim, up to $1,000 per 12-month period. There is a $50 deductible per claim and a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period.
Chase Offers — Log in to your online Chase card account and review the Chase Offers waiting for you. You can save money via statement credits when you add the offers to your card and make the associated purchase.
Shop through Chase — Log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account online and select the Earn Bonus Points option to earn even more cash-back rewards on purchases with select merchants.
DoorDash DashPass — Receive 3 months of complimentary membership and an additional 9 months at a 50% discount when you activated this offer by December 31, 2024. DashPass offers free delivery on orders over $12.
Instacart Benefits — Cardholders are eligible for a free 3-month Instacart+ membership plus a $10 quarterly credit. Activate by July 31, 2024.
Bottom Line: The Freedom Flex card is the better card for shopping and travel benefits/protections. One highlight of the Freedom Flex card is that it offers valuable cell phone protection. The card also comes with trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance.
Credit Management Tools
Credit management tools help you keep track of expenses and manage your finances. Image Credit: Mikhail Nilov via Pexels
Both the Freedom Flex card and Chase Slate Edge card offer features that can help you manage your credit.
My Chase Plan — Split up large purchases of $100 or more into manageable monthly payments with no interest charges, just a monthly service fee. The monthly service fee is waived during the introductory 0% APR on purchases period.
Chase Credit Journey — Set real-time alerts, monitor your credit, and have free access to your credit score.
Managing credit is where the Chase Slate Edge card shines for new cardholders:
Reduce Your APR up to 2% — Spend $1,000 or more on your card, make your payments on time, and at the first card anniversary, the APR could be reduced by as much as 2%.
Increased Credit Limit — Spend $500 or more in the first 6 months after account opening and receive an automatic review to be considered for an increased credit limit.
Annual Fees and Authorized Users
The Freedom Flex card and Chase Slate Edge card do not charge annual fees. Also, you can add authorized users to either card for no fee.
There is no minimum age to add an authorized user on either card.
Keep in mind that the primary cardholder is responsible for any charges made by authorized users, so it is not a step to take lightly, especially when you’re trying to build your own credit.
Alternatives to the Chase Slate Edge Card
If your credit is excellent, the Freedom Flex card would be a better card choice. However, if the Chase Slate Edge card better suits your situation, here are a couple of additional rewards-earning cards to consider:
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
$0
19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!
This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.
Pros
Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Flexible redemption options
No annual fee
Cons
No bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Lack of premium travel benefits
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
The no-annual-fee Double Cash card allows you to earn 2% cash-back rewards on every purchase: 1% cash-back when you make your purchase and an additional 1% when you pay your bill (earned as ThankYou Points). The card also offers an introductory 0% APR offer as shown in the table above.
Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
If you have little credit history, the no-annual-fee Freedom Rise card may be a good fit. You’ll be earning 1.5% cash-back on every purchase you make, and the card comes with a complimentary 3-month DoorDash DashPass membership and a 3-month Instacart+ membership. Additionally, you’ll be eligible for a credit limit increase after 6 months.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to roll over high-interest credit card balances or repay a large purchase(s) over time without interest charges, the Chase Slate Edge card could add a lot of value. The card can also help you start to build a relationship with Chase, even if your credit is hovering around a 700 credit score.
Establishing a positive relationship with a bank such as Chase can yield benefits when it’s time to apply for a car loan or take out a mortgage. Managing a Chase credit card well can help open the door to these greater credit needs and help you qualify for the best Chase cards.
While this scenario makes a case for the Chase Slate Edge card, if you have excellent credit, the Freedom Flex card offers significantly more value. Plus, you’ll still be able to utilize any card’s introductory 0% APR, should those benefits provide value to you. Learn more about all the benefits of the Freedom Flex card in this related article.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Slate Edge℠ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better, the Chase Slate Edge card or the Freedom Flex card?
The Freedom Flex card is a better card due to its robust rewards earning structure, redemption options, cell phone protection, and additional travel and shopping benefits.
However, the Chase Slate Edge card could be a good choice if you have high interest rate credit card balances to transfer or large purchases coming up as the card offers up to 18 months of 0% APR.
Is the Freedom Flex card a Visa or Mastercard?
The Freedom Flex card is a World Elite Mastercard.
Does the Chase Slate Edge card have rental car insurance?
Yes, the Chase Slate Edge card comes with rental car insurance that is secondary within your country of residence.
Does the Freedom Flex card charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes, the Freedom Flex card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on the amount of each foreign purchase.
What credit score do I need to get approved for the Chase Slate Edge card?
You will need to have good to excellent credit. A credit score of 700 or better is recommended for the best chance of being approved.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
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