Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Easily compare up to three credit cards side by side with our intuitive comparison tool. Assess features, offers, and more to find the best fit for your financial needs.

Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Cash Back Card Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Chase Freedom Unlimited<sup>®</sup> Card Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
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
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
7
Regular APR
9
Rewards
9.1
Benefits
8.1
Welcome Bonus
8.7
Recommended Credit Score: 9.3
Foreign Transaction Fee: 7.7
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 9.3
ANNUAL FEE
$0 $0
INTRO APR
0% APR on purchases for six months from account opening 0% intro APR on Purchases for first 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for first 15 months on qualifying balance transfers
REGULAR 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 Intro time end, 20.49% - 29.24% (V) APR after that
PROS
  • 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.
  • 1.5 - 5% cash back
  • 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • No minimum redemption amount
  • Earn a $200 bonus
CONS
  • 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.
  • Assesses a balance transfer fee.
  • Ongoing balance transfer fee is high
  • 3% Foreign transaction fee
WELCOME BONUS
Discover will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year with the card. Get 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!
REWARDS
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.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card Rewards program provides exceptional flexibility in credit currency. Redeem your earnings across a wide range of options, including:
  • Through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.
  • 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 3% cash back on dining at restaurants
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
BENEFITS
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. Unique cash back rate boost - The Freedom Unlimited card's latest welcome offer is better than its normal one. It gives you a chance at up to $300 in cash back (1.5% on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). This is a $100 boost to the card's usual $200 offer. Travel - Travel and emergency assistance services can help if you have issues away from home. They provide legal and medical referrals and other help. Roadside Dispatch can help in a roadside emergency. It covers tows, jump starts, tyre changes, and lockout service. 0% intro rate for purchases and balance transfers - Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 0% APRs for new purchases. They also offer 0% APRs for balance transfers. This is for the first 15 months. The purchase part is fine. Just make sure to pay off your full balance before the high regular rates start.  The only downsides are Chase Freedom Unlimited’s higher regular APR and its 3% balance transfer fee. The fee is for transfers in the first 60 days (5% after that). Purchase protection - If you buy an item with your Freedom Unlimited and it is stolen or damaged in the first 120 days, you can be reimbursed. You can get up to $500 per claim, with a max of $50,000 per account. Credit score & identity restoration services - Cardholders can use Chase Credit Journey to access their credit score at any time. They can also get no-cost identity restoration services. 
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
BALANCE TRANSFER FEE
10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.24% Variable APR Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
630 - 689 (Poor - Fair) 690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
None 3% in U.S. dollars
BEST FOR
  • Cash Back Seekers
  • Students
  • Bad Credit
  • U.S. Supermarket Spending
  • Travelers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Everyday Spending
  • Restaurant
  • Health and Wellness
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