Essential Highlights
Both the Chase Slate Edge℠* and Chase Freedom Unlimited® enjoy popularity among users boasting good to excellent credit scores, yet their design caters to different financial priorities. The Chase Freedom Unlimited leans into cash back incentives combined with a shorter intro APR window, while the Chase Slate Edge opts out of rewards in exchange for a lengthier zero-interest period. Your choice hinges on whether you value stretching out debt payments interest-free or earning cash rewards more.
Overview of Key Features
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up Bonus | Automatic credit limit review after paying on time and spending $500 in first six months | $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within first 3 months |
| Rewards | None |
|
| Introductory APR | 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.99%-28.99% variable | 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.99%-28.49% variable |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% ($5 minimum) first 60 days, then 5% ($5 minimum) | 3% ($5 minimum) first 60 days, then 5% ($5 minimum) |
Mid-Article Fact Nugget
Did you know? The average credit card interest rate for consumers in 2023 hovered around 20.3%, making the 18-month 0% APR on the Chase Slate Edge a potentially valuable option for debt consolidation and cost savings on interest.
Comparing the Cards Side-by-Side
Sign-up Bonus Showdown
The Chase Freedom Unlimited edges out here, thanks to an easily attainable $200 bonus after a modest $500 spend within the initial 3 months — a straightforward reward that’s perfect for those chasing cash back.
Meanwhile, the Slate Edge offers an automatic credit line review after you spend $500 and make timely payments during your first six months. While this doesn’t pack the immediate punch of a traditional welcome bonus, it can benefit users aiming to build credit limits strategically.
Rewards Rate Face-off
If raking in rewards is your game, the Chase Freedom Unlimited takes the crown. Its tiered cash back system—5% on travel booked via Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstore buys, and 1.5% elsewhere—caters to everyday spenders.
In contrast, the Chase Slate Edge doesn’t play the rewards game at all, zero cashback but focused on another kind of value.
Intro APR Advantage
The 18 months of interest-free breathing room offered by the Chase Slate Edge clearly outlasts the Freedom Unlimited’s 15-month runway. This longer zero-interest period can be a major lifeline if your goal is to chip away at balances without accruing interest, before the APR shifts to a variable rate of up to nearly 29%—slightly higher than Freedom Unlimited’s ceiling.
Both cards carry identical balance transfer fees—3% minimum $5 during the first 60 days, then 5% afterward—keeping transfer costs predictable.
Fee Structure
Neither card asks for an annual fee, so both play fair when it comes to that aspect. However, foreign transactions off U.S. soil will incur a 3% charge on either card, a factor to keep in mind if you travel internationally.
Which Card Nets the Biggest Rewards?
Because the Chase Slate Edge skips cashback altogether, the Freedom Unlimited naturally wins on rewards earned. Sacrificing the Slate Edge’s extra three months of 0% APR opens the door to racking up cash back on virtually every purchase.
Choosing between extra interest-free time or rewarding spending boils down to your priorities. Beware: chasing rewards while carrying a balance can tempt overspending, making the Slate Edge a more prudent pick if you’re laser-focused on debt reduction.
Real-World Impact: Spending and Debt Example
Picture this: consolidating substantial debt at sky-high interest rates could carve hundreds of dollars or more off your payments thanks to the extra 90 days of zero interest with the Slate Edge. Stretching out 18 months interest-free rather than 15 can translate to more manageable monthly payments and less financial strain overall.
Why the Chase Slate Edge Might Suit You
Extra Perks Worth Noting
On top of zero annual fees, this card rewards responsible behavior with a 2% annual interest rate cut when you nail on-time payments and rack up at least $1,000 in purchases by each yearly anniversary. These reductions can stack until your APR bottoms out at prime plus 9.74%.
Additional consumer protections include:
- Purchase protection versus damage or theft
- Extended warranties
- Secondary coverage for car rentals
- Roadside dispatch assistance
Enjoy a complimentary 3-month DoorDash DashPass, requiring enrollment before December 31, 2027, but remember to cancel before the trial ends to dodge automatic billing.
Redemption Options
Since the Chase Slate Edge does not offer any cashback or points, there are no redemption avenues to explore.
Who Is This Card Best For?
Individuals sporting credit scores of 670 or higher—categorized as good to excellent—will find this card fitting when aiming to economize on interest payments rather than chasing rewards.
Why Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Perks and Protections Galore
The Freedom Unlimited is packed with consumer-friendly safeguards such as:
- Purchase protection against damage or theft
- Extended warranties on qualifying purchases
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 trip max)
- Secondary auto rental coverage
- 24/7 travel and emergency aid services
A similar 3-month DoorDash DashPass promotion is available, with the same cancellation caveat as the Slate Edge.
How Rewards Work
Cash back earned here can transform into statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, travel bookings via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, and more. Notably, hotel bookings through Chase Travel℠ can net you 10X points, meanwhile other purchases yield 1.5% cash back. Points can be pooled with a Chase Sapphire Reserve account for 1.5 cents per point value—better than the standard 1 cent per point.
Credit Score Requirements
Like the Slate Edge, this card targets consumers with solid credit histories—those scoring 670 or above on the FICO scale.
Final Thoughts: Debt Management or Reward Pursuit?
Deciding between these two cards boils down to your financial ambitions. If stretching out interest-free time on balances and transfers is your priority, the Slate Edge stands out. On the flip side, if snagging cash back on everyday purchases ranks higher, the Freedom Unlimited should catch your eye.
Remember: tackling debt head-on before chasing rewards may save you more money in the long haul. You can always switch to a rewards card once your balance is under control, but lingering debt only grows if left unchecked.
*Details on the Chase Slate Edge℠ were independently compiled by Bankrate and have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.
