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Key takeaways
- The Chase Slate Edge℠* and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are two popular Chase credit cards geared toward consumers with good or excellent credit.
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers cash back rewards and a shorter introductory APR offer.
- The Chase Slate Edge skips rewards in favor of a longer intro APR offer.
- The right card for you depends on your goals and what you prefer having the most — more time to pay down debt with zero interest or cash back rewards.
The Chase Slate Edge℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited® have some overlapping features, yet each card was designed to help consumers reach a different goal. Where the Chase Slate Edge is geared toward people who need to consolidate and pay down debt, the Chase Freedom Unlimited works for people who want to earn rewards while enjoying an introductory APR for a shorter time.
But which card is best for you? Ultimately, that depends on what you’re trying to accomplish when you sign up. Below we compare these two Chase credit cards based on their features and rewards to help you find the right fit.
Main details
| Chase Slate Edge | Chase Freedom Unlimited | |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | When you pay on time and spend $500 in your first six months, you will be automatically reviewed for a higher credit limit. | Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening |
| Rewards rate | None |
|
| Introductory APR offer | 0 percent intro APR for the first 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers (after that, a 18.99% – 28.99% variable APR applies) | 0 percent intro APR for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers (after that, a 18.99% – 28.49% Variable APR applies) |
| Balance transfer fee | Intro balance transfer fee of 3 percent ($5 minimum) for the first 60 days from account opening (then 5 percent with a $5 minimum) | Intro balance transfer fee of 3 percent ($5 minimum) for the first 60 days from account opening (then 5 percent with a $5 minimum) |
Chase Slate Edge vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited highlights
To pick the right card from the Chase Slate Edge or the Chase Freedom Unlimited, it helps to know how they stack up in the most important categories. Here’s a rundown of how these credit cards compare in terms of their rewards rates, intro APR offers and fees.
Welcome bonus winner
Why it won
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the clear winner in this category. The card’s bonus is fairly easy to earn: Spend $500 on purchases in your first three months of account opening ($50 per month) and earn a $200 bonus. For those looking for an everyday cash back card, this is a very solid additional perk.
On the other hand, the Chase Slate Edge comes with a possible credit line increase after making on-time payments and spending at least $500 during the first six months. Chase promotes this as a “welcome offer,” but it doesn’t provide as much value as traditional welcome offers do.
Rewards rate winner
Why it won
The Chase Freedom Unlimited comes with a really generous rewards rate that can work well for consumers who want a credit card for everyday spending and bills. This card offers:
- 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.
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
By contrast, the Chase Slate Edge doesn’t offer any rewards at all.
Intro APR winner
Why it won
The intro APR offer category is where the Chase Slate Edge really shines, since this card gives you 18 months with 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR of 18.99 percent to 28.99 percent. This offer is three months longer than the offer on the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which only gives you 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by an 18.99% – 28.49% Variable APR.
Both cards also have the same intro balance transfer fee of 3 percent with a $5 minimum for the first 60 days from account opening, after which it rises to 5 percent with a $5 minimum.
Why they won
If you’re picking a card based on fees alone, you should know that both of these cards have the same fee structure. There are no annual fees to worry about with either one, though both of these cards charge a 3 percent foreign transaction fee if you use them for purchases abroad.
As stated above, both cards also have the same balance transfer fee structure, which is 3 percent with a $5 minimum for balances transferred in the first 60 days and 5 percent with a $5 minimum after that point.
Which card earns the most?
Since the Chase Slate Edge doesn’t offer cash back for spending, the Chase Freedom Unlimited would earn more in rewards by default. If you’re willing to give up the additional three months of the introductory APR period that you would get with the Chase Slate Edge, then you’d be able to earn rewards with the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Keep in mind that the Chase Slate Edge doesn’t earn rewards, so the question really comes down to: Is earning cash back more important to you than an additional three months with an introductory APR?
Only you can decide, but it is worth noting that it’s considerably more difficult to pay down debt when you’re also using a credit card for spending. If what you really need to do is get out of debt, and you want to avoid the temptation to spend more to earn rewards, you may be better off picking the Chase Slate Edge.
Chase Slate Edge vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited spending example
How much of a difference can this make? If you have considerable debt at high interest rates to consolidate, having an additional 90 days with zero interest could easily save you hundreds of dollars in interest payments or more.
Having 18 months with zero interest instead of 15 could also help you enjoy more affordable monthly payments as you work toward becoming debt-free. If you need to pay off $5,000 in credit card debt, for example, paying it off in 15 months with a 3 percent balance transfer fee would require a $344 monthly payment, whereas paying for 18 months with a 3 percent balance transfer fee would let you pay just $287 per month.
Why should you get the Chase Slate Edge?
If you’re considering the Chase Slate Edge, you’ll want to know about the card’s additional benefits and the recommended credit score you’ll need to be approved.
Why should you get the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is often considered one of the top cash back cards on the market, but the card’s intro APR offer makes it a good option for paying down debt and large purchases, too.
The bottom line
Reading our Chase Freedom Unlimited review and Chase Slate Edge review can help you discover more about both of these cards and how they can benefit you. You will also want to think long and hard about whether you want a longer timeline with zero interest on purchases and balance transfers or if you prefer to earn cash back for each dollar you spend.
That said, the fact credit card interest rates are so high right now — on average, over 20 percent — may mean you’re better off forgoing rewards and working on debt repayment instead. You can always pick up a new rewards credit card later on when you become debt-free, and your debt will only continue to linger until you’re able to do something about it.
*Information about the Chase Slate Edge℠ has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
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