Credit Cards No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Slate Edge℠ [2024]: Rewards or 0% Intro APR?

No two Chase cards are exactly the same, as is the case with the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Slate Edge card. They cater to two completely different audiences.

Updated Dec. 3, 2024
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Chase Freedom <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>Unlimited<sup>®</sup></span>

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

4.7
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    High base rewards rate of 1.5%
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    $0 annual fee
  • checkmark icon
    Valuable welcome bonus for new cardholders
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    Intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers
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Chase Slate Edge℠

Chase Slate Edge℠

5.0
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  • checkmark icon
    Long intro APR offer on balance transfers and purchases
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    Offers the chance to reduce the regular APR by 2% annually
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    Offers a DoorDash DashPass benefit
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Our view

We all know Chase for their lucrative credit card offerings, including the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Slate Edge℠. I like both cards for their robust offerings, but Chase Slate Edge doesn’t offer any cashback rewards, which is a downside if you’re looking for the best rewards credit card.

The Chase Slate Edge card replaced the Chase Slate card, which offered a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then 16.49% to 25.24% (variable)) and no balance transfer fee for the first 60 days. The Chase Slate card is no longer offered, but current cardholders can still use their card and take advantage of the purchase protection and extended warranties it offers.

How we evaluate products


Editor's note: The Chase Slate card is no longer available and has been replaced by the Chase Slate Edge℠.

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Chase Slate Edge

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is considered a cash back credit card because it earns its cardholders cashback rewards on any eligible purchase. The Chase Slate Edge card is a balance transfer card offering a 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% Variable) along with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% Variable).

Here’s how they compare.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Slate Edge℠

Chase Slate Edge

FinanceBuzz star rating
4.7
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5.0
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Card type Cash back Balance transfer
Annual fee $0 $0
Welcome bonus Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, after which a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.49% applies
Earning rate 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases; plus earn 5% total cash back on qualifying Lyft rides through March 2025 None
Intro APR
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable)
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable)
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% Variable)
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% Variable)
Foreign transaction fee 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Credit score needed Good, Excellent Good, Excellent
Value (based on our valuation model) Year 1 value: $953

Year 2 value: $653

Year 1 value: $0

Year 2 value: $0

Learn more Learn more

When to go with Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Unlimited is a good option for you if:

  • You use your credit card for everyday purchases
  • You travel frequently

A great everyday card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card pays cash back on most purchases and offers an exceptional welcome offer in the first year — Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

If you charge travel, dining/takeout, and drugstore purchases, it’s well worth it, but even the basic 1.5% cash back on all other purchases is worth the earnings. The average household spends $28,500 in all other categories, which is $427.50 back on top of spending on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases.

I suggest that if you regularly pay off your credit card balances, charge as much of your everyday spending as possible to earn the cash back.

You frequently fly or stay at hotels

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a healthy bonus in the first year and ongoing. You can earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) on top of earning 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. If you’re planning a big trip, applying for this card before planning anything can net you extra cash back on your purchases if you book through Chase Travel.

Now, you must be comfortable booking your travel through the Chase Travel portal, but rest assured—it’s run off the Expedia platform, so you have access to a large selection of travel accommodations.

When to go with Chase Slate Edge

Chase Slate Edge​​ is a good option if you:

  • Have a large purchase planned
  • Need to transfer a large balance
  • Regularly carry a credit card balance

You are planning a large purchase

The Chase Slate Edge card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% Variable). Before choosing a card, consider your future purchase plans. If they include a large singular purchase, or even multiple large purchases and you know you’ll need extra time to pay them off, the extra time could save you significant interest charges.

You have a large balance to transfer

The Chase Slate Edge card also offers a lengthy balance transfer APR promotion, giving you 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% Variable).

If you need to transfer a large balance, the Slate Edge card may be the better option over the Chase Freedom Unlimited to save you money on interest. Even cashback rewards from Chase Freedom Unlimited can’t offset the interest charges you’d incur by carrying a larger balance.

I suggest calculating your interest savings and comparing it to the average rewards you might earn based on your everyday spending and the credit line available. If you don’t think you’ll qualify for a high credit line, or you’ll use most of it on your balance transfer, the Slate Edge card may make more sense to help you save money on interest charges.

You don’t pay your credit card bill in full monthly

A unique perk the Chase Slate Edge card offers is a decreased APR annually. While this is up to the discretion of Chase, you may lower your APR by 2% annually if you have a positive credit card usage history.

To qualify, you must spend at least $1,000 on your Chase Edge card annually, and pay your credit card bill on time.

Keep in mind that the lowest the rate can go is 9.74% plus the Prime Rate, which as of November 14, 2024, was 7.75%, for a total of 17.74% (Variable).

Key differences

Understanding the key differences between the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Slate Edge can help you choose the right card.

Rewards earning

Only one of these cards is a rewards credit card. The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers these cash back rewards rates: 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, plus get 5% total cash back on qualifying Lyft rides through March 2025. The Chase Slate Edge doesn’t offer cash back or other rewards for purchases. Instead, it focuses on different types of benefits.

The cash back you earn with the Freedom Unlimited card actually comes in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points which you can redeem for statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, travel, and purchases from participating merchants. Since you get cash back with any purchase, it’s easy to use this card for everything and get at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Learn more about this card in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited because of its high rewards value.

Welcome offers

It’s common for credit card companies to offer sign-up bonuses or welcome offers to entice you to open one of their credit cards. These sign-up bonuses are often a huge benefit because of how much cash back or bonus points you can earn.

With Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

The Chase Slate Edge welcome bonus differs because you don’t earn rewards for using your card on purchases. Rather, you get a longer introductory APR offer on balance transfers and purchases.

Neither bonus is necessarily better than the other, depending on what you’re looking for. If you want cash back, the Freedom Unlimited card is the best credit card option of these two. But if you want low intro APR rates, the Chase Slate Edge would likely make more sense.

There is no clear winner here. The winner depends on what you want from a card, either rewards or a longer 0% intro APR.

Balance transfers

Either card could be a good option for doing a balance transfer. A balance transfer is when you transfer a balance you owe from one account to another. This can be a useful money-saving strategy if the credit card you transfer your balance to charges a lower interest rate than the previous credit product.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months after account opening (then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable).

The Chase Slate Edge offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months after account opening (then 19.74% to 28.49% Variable). The balance transfer fee is $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days, then $5 or 5% — so transferring balances immediately can save you even more money.

Learn more about this card in our Chase Slate Edge review.

Winner: The Chase Slate Edge card offers more time to pay your balance transfers off without paying interest.

Other benefits

Many credit cards offer benefits besides intro APRs or higher cashback rewards. Here’s how the other benefits stack up between the two cards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase Slate Edge
Purchase protection on purchases up to 120 days if purchased with card Purchase protection on purchases up to 120 days if purchased with card
Extended warranty protection on purchases made with the card Extended warranty protection on purchases made with the card
Free credit score and identity restoration services Roadside dispatch
Auto rental collision damage waiver Auto rental collision damage waiver
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Access to Chase Offers to save money on purchases
Travel and emergency assistance services 3-month free DashPass subscription
3-month free DashPass subscription (activate by 1/31/25)

There is no clear winner here. If you travel frequently, Chase Freedom Unlimited wins, but if you don’t, the benefits are quite similar.

FAQ

Which is better: Chase Slate Edge or Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The better card for you between the Chase Slate Edge and Chase Freedom Unlimited depends on your situation and financial goals. If you want a balance transfer card to help pay down debt while avoiding interest charges, consider the Chase Slate Edge. If you want a rewards card that earns cash back on every purchase plus some bonus categories, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Can I upgrade my Chase Slate Edge to a Freedom card?

It’s possible to product change between different Chase credit cards, including from a Chase Slate Edge to one of the Chase Freedom cards. But you won’t typically receive a card’s welcome offer doing a product change. Instead, it makes more sense to apply for the new Chase card to earn its welcome offer.

However, if you don’t want another hard credit pull on your credit report, doing a product change might be the better idea. You’ll get a new card with different benefits, and a product change doesn’t impact your credit.

What is the minimum credit limit for Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The minimum credit limit for the Chase Freedom Unlimited is likely $500, though Chase doesn’t post or state official credit limits for their cards. If you want a credit limit increase, Chase regularly offers automatic increases depending on your credit usage, credit history, and other factors.

Chase doesn’t offer a time frame for these automatic credit limit increases. To increase your chances, regularly and responsibly use your Chase credit cards. It also helps to provide updated income information in your Chase online account.

Keep in mind that automatic credit limit increases don’t typically affect your credit score, but asking for a manual increase is likely to incur a hard credit inquiry.

Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited hard to get?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited typically requires a good or excellent credit score to qualify. This would mean you would likely need at least a 670 FICO Score or a 661 VantageScore to successfully apply for and receive this card.

Bottom line

The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Slate Edge are two of the best cards available in their respective categories as far as Chase credit cards are concerned. But keep in mind that they’re different types of cards that fit different situations. Before deciding which card to go with, use the information above to compare each card’s benefits.

Remember to consider your lifestyle and how a new credit card could align with your spending habits and preferences. The best card for you will have the benefits you’re looking for and can help you achieve your goals.

Save Money on Interest With a 0% Intro APR

Chase Slate Edge℠
5.0
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Chase Slate Edge℠

Current Offer

0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, after which a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.49% applies

Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks
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Author Details

Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®

Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®, is credit cards specialist. For over a decade, he's leveraged credit card points and miles to travel the world. His expertise extends to other areas of personal finance — including loans, insurance, investing, and real estate — and you can find his insights on The Washington Post, Debt.com, Yahoo! Finance, and Fox Business.

Author Details

Samantha Hawrylack

Samantha Hawrylack is a writer with more than five years of experience. Her work has been published in Newsweek, MarketWatch, USA Today, Rocket Mortgage, BiggerPockets, Crediful, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and she was previously a brokerage investment professional with Series 7 and 63 licenses at Vanguard.