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

Editor's note: The Chase Slate card is no longer available and has been replaced by the Chase Slate Edge℠.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 20.49% - 29.24% Variable) along with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable).

Here’s how they compare.

	Chase Freedom Unlimited	Chase Slate Edge
FinanceBuzz star rating	4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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 20.49% - 29.24% 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 20.49% - 29.24% Variable) 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable)	0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable) 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months (then 20.49% - 29.24% 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 20.49% - 29.24% 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 20.49% - 29.24% 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 March 13, 2024, was 8.5%, for a total of 18.24%.

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 20.49% - 29.24% Variable).

The Chase Slate Edge offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months after account opening (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable). The balance transfer fee is $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days — 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.

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

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.

Unlimited Cash Back

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

4.7

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

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Current Offer

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards 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

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• High base rewards rate of 1.5%
• $0 annual fee
• Valuable welcome bonus for new cardholders
• Intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers

Drawbacks

• Has a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
• No bonus categories for gas or groceries

Card Details

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% 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; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 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.
• 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 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 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