Chase Freedom Flex Vs. Chase Slate Edge

If you’re looking for a cash incentive to apply, the Chase Freedom Flex℠* is the clear winner because it’s the only one that offers a welcome bonus.

The card offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Just keep in mind that superstores like Target and Walmart aren’t counted in the grocery category.

Neither card charges an annual fee.

Because the Chase Slate Edge℠* specializes in offering a long introductory APR, it doesn’t offer rewards. In contrast, the Chase Freedom Flex℠* offers a solid introductory APR and rewards. You’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Historically, categories have included merchants like gas stations, grocery stores, Amazon.com, PayPal, Walmart and wholesale clubs. Maximizing each cash-back category throughout the year can net you $300 in rewards.

Chase Slate Edge℠

4.2

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

No Rewards

The Slate Edge does not offer rewards on purchases.

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Editor's Take

The Chase Slate Edge is a reasonable option for those looking to consolidate debt.

Pros & Cons

• 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

Card Details

• 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

N/A

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Both cards offer an introductory 0% APR promotion. With the Freedom Flex, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% applies. Balance transfer fee of up to 5% (min. $5) of the amount of each transfer applies. The Slate Edge offers a slightly longer promotion, giving you a 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% 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.

On top of the intro APR, the Slate Edge card gives cardholders the chance to reduce their regular APR by up to 2% each year when they pay on time and spend $1,000 or more during their account anniversary year. However, the lowest you can go is the prime rate plus 9.74%.

The card also offers an automatic review for a credit limit increase when you spend $500 or more in the first six months and pay your statement on time.

The Freedom Flex offers a lot of value with its rewards program, Chase Ultimate Rewards®. But if you need a longer intro APR and you regularly carry a balance, the Slate Edge can potentially save you more in the long run.

The Slate Edge card doesn’t offer rewards, so if you want the chance to earn and redeem points, the Freedom Flex is the way to go. With the Freedom Flex card, you can redeem your rewards in a variety of ways. You’ll get 1 cent per point in value when you redeem points for the following:

• Cash back in the form of a statement credit or deposit into a bank account
• Travel reservations through Chase Travel
• Gift cards to major retailers and restaurants
• Takeout and culinary experiences with Chase Dining
• Apple products

Paying with points when you checkout with Amazon or PayPal will net you just 0.8 cents apiece.

The card also allows you to combine points earned with other Ultimate Rewards credit cards, which could give you the chance to get more value with travel redemptions and the option to transfer your rewards to airline and hotel partners.

Even without its rewards program, the Freedom Flex offers a lot of value for a card with no annual fee. Cardholders will get perks with a variety of partners, including:

• DoorDash: Get a complimentary three month DashPass membership, plus 50% off a DashPass subscription for the next nine months, when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Lyft: Earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
• Instacart: Get a complimentary three month Instacart+ membership, plus up to $10 in statement credits each quarter on Instacart purchases through July 31, 2024. After the complimentary membership ends you’ll be automatically enrolled in an annual membership unless you cancel.

The card also offers a handful of insurance protections, including auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, cellphone protection, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

The Slate Edge card offers two out of the three partner benefits seen on the Freedom Flex:

• DoorDash: Get a complimentary three month DashPass membership, plus 50% off a DashPass subscription for the next nine months, when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Instacart: Get a complimentary three month Instacart+ membership when you enroll by July 31, 2024. After the complimentary membership ends you’ll be automatically enrolled in an annual membership unless you cancel.

In addition, the Slate Edge offers auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

Both cards offer an introductory 0% APR. The Chase Freedom Flex℠* offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% applies. Balance transfer fee of up to 5% (min. $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 20.49% - 29.24% 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.

Additionally, both cards charge a foreign transaction fee, making them less appealing to consumers who frequently travel abroad.

These two cards offer good value for people who can benefit from their features, but they’re not the right fit for everyone. Here are some situations where it might make sense to look elsewhere.

You Want Travel Rewards and Perks

You can use points earned with the Freedom Flex to book travel through Chase, but you won’t get any travel-related benefits beyond the few insurance protections the card offers, and the Slate Edge offers next to nothing on the travel front.

Many travel credit cards offer the chance to transfer rewards to other travel partners, along with other benefits to improve your travel experience and save you some money along the way.

You Want  Flat-Rate Rewards

The Slate Edge card doesn’t offer any rewards at all. And while the Freedom Flex offers excellent opportunities to maximize rewards on everyday spending, its 1% base rewards rate doesn’t offer much for non-bonus category spending. If you want a high rewards rate on every purchase you make, there are several cards that offer up to 2% back and more.

You Want More Consistent Rewards

The Freedom Flex’s rotating rewards program allows you to earn 5% back on a variety of purchases, but if you spend a lot in one or two areas, you may consider a card that specializes in bonus rewards on those categories.

While the Chase Freedom Flex℠* and the Chase Slate Edge℠* have some similarities, they’re two very different credit cards. The better option will come down to your individual circumstances and what you want in a credit card.

If you have a large purchase you want to pay down over time or a big balance you want to transfer, the Slate Edge offers a few more months to pay off the balance interest-free. And if you think you’ll carry a balance after that, the card’s interest rate reduction feature could come in handy.

But if you want a card that offers an intro APR in addition to rewards and other valuable perks, the Freedom Flex may be the better choice. Before you apply for either card, however, make sure you compare them with other top cash-back and 0% APR credit cards to ensure you’re getting the best card for you.