Chase Freedom Flex vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back

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Chase Freedom Flex<sup>℠</sup> Card Chase Freedom Flex Card Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Cash Back Card Discover it® Student Cash Back Card
8.7MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.7

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
9.3
Regular APR
9.3
Rewards
8.2
Benefits
8.1
Welcome Bonus
8.8
Recommended Credit Score: 9
Foreign Transaction Fee: 7.3
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 8.3
9.0MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 9.0

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
10
Regular APR
8
Rewards
8.8
Benefits
8
Welcome Bonus
8.5
Recommended Credit Score: 9
Foreign Transaction Fee: 10
Cash Advance Fee: 9.5
Balance Transfer Fee: 8.2
ANNUAL FEE
$0 $0
INTRO APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for first 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for first 15 months on qualifying balance transfers 0% APR on purchases for six months from account opening
REGULAR APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR 10.99% intro balance transfer APR for six months from date of first qualifying balance transfer, 18.24% to 27.24% ongoing variable APR
PROS
  • New cardholder $200 initial bonus
  • Intro APR period
  • Ongoing rewards of 1 - 5% cash back
  • 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • $0 Annual fee
  • Member FDIC
  • No annual fee
  • Making it accessible for those with limited or bad credit
  • Earn cash back in bonus categories
  • Take advantage of an introductory APR period
  • Your activity is reported to all three major credit bureaus.
CONS
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good - excellent credit score
  • Rotating bonus rewards categories
  • Earning limit in bonus categories
  • New credit users may find the quarterly category rewards system complex
  • The card lacks an introductory APR on balance transfers, which may not be ideal for those looking to consolidate debt.
WELCOME BONUS
$200 if you spend $500 in first 3 months Discover will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year with the card.
REWARDS
Chase Freedom Flex Card Rewards stand out as a highly versatile credit currency, offering a myriad of redemption options to suit your preferences. You can utilize your rewards in a variety of ways, including:
  • You earn 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases. The offer excludes Target and Walmart. It applies to up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
  • Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
  • Earn 5% on travel. You buy it through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • Earn 3% on dining at restaurants. This includes takeout and some delivery services.
  • Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
  • Earn 1% on all other purchases
  • The card has a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening. This applies to both purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR is 19.24%-27.99%.
Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Rewards program is renowned for its flexibility in credit currency. Explore various redemption options for your earnings, including:
  • Enjoy 5% cash back on rotating quarterly bonus categories, up to $1,500 per quarter, with enrollment required.
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Plus, receive a cash back match at the end of the first year.
BENEFITS
Decent welcome bonus - The offer is for $200 bonus. You get it after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. This is stellar for a no-annual-fee card. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance - You get reimbursed up to $1,500 per person. You get $6,000 per trip. This covers your prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares. This happens if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, bad weather, or other covered situations. Car rental insurance - If you charge your rental car to your card, you can receive coverage if it is damaged or stolen. The coverage is secondary and goes up to the car's cash value. World Elite Mastercard Benefits - As noted, the Freedom Flex is Chase’s first foray into the Mastercard market in five years. Adding Mastercard to the Chase lineup opens new features for Flex cardholders. Visa doesn't offer them. Two key benefits are cell phone protection and ID protection. Both are Mastercard staples. Base Rewards Rate of 1% Cash Back - Most cash back credit cards give 1% back as a base earning rate. The only way to get a higher base rate is to earn less from your chosen card. Freeze it® - Easily place holds on stolen or missing cards directly through the app for added security and peace of mind. Access to Credit Education - This feature is best for credit scores to improve. Gain access to Discover's Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, monthly updates, and tips to help you understand and improve your credit. Cashback Match™ - At the end of your first year with the card, Discover matches all the cash back you've earned, effectively doubling your rewards without any limit. so students benefit from doubling reward points for other spending. Rotating Bonus Categories - Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases in rotating quarterly bonus categories, such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and more, up to the quarterly maximum. Good Grade Reward - Get a $20 statement credit each school year if your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next five years. it's not a big reward but a small credit combination helps your spend.
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
29.99% variable, Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
BALANCE TRANSFER FEE
20.49% - 29.24% variable, plus either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after) 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.24% Variable APR
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional) 630 - 689 (Poor - Fair)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
3% None
BEST FOR
  • Cash Back Seekers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Gas and Groceries
  • Restaurant
  • Cash Back Seekers
  • Students
  • Bad Credit
  • U.S. Supermarket Spending
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