Updated
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
While there are lots of cash back cards out there, the Chase Freedom credit cards are some of the top options. If you're planning to apply for one, you should make sure you're aware of the Chase Freedom credit score requirements first. Here's what we know about that and other factors that affect your likelihood of being approved.
What's the recommended Chase Freedom credit score?
There are three Chase Freedom cards, and the recommended credit score varies depending on which card you want. There's no minimum credit score for the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, which is designed for consumers who are building credit. You can potentially qualify for it even with no credit history.
It's a different story for the other two Chase Freedom credit cards:
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex℠, it's recommended to have a credit score of 670 or higher. Most successful applicants have good credit or excellent credit.
When Chase checks your credit, it pulls a specific type of credit score known as your FICO® Score. This is the most widely used type of credit score by lenders. Quite a few online credit score tools provide your VantageScore, which can be much different. If you look up your credit score online, make sure to use a tool that provides your FICO® Score.
LEARN MORE: How to Find Out Your Credit Score
Your credit score isn't the only thing that matters on a Chase Freedom credit card application. It also doesn't guarantee that you're approved or denied. There are several other important factors. To start, we'll look at arguably the most important.
As of Apr. 16, 2024
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Chase Freedom Flex℠ |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
|
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
|
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
|
Welcome 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. Up to $300 cash back |
Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! $200 bonus |
|
Rewards Program: 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, and 1.5% on all other purchases 1.5% - 5% cash back |
Rewards Program: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. 5% cash back offer |
|
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months |
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months |
|
Regular APR: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
Regular APR: 20.49%-29.24% Variable |
|
Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
|
Highlights:
|
Highlights:
|
|
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Show More
Show Less
|
|
How the Chase 5/24 rule affects Chase Freedom applications
Chase is known for having an unofficial application policy, often referred to as the Chase 5/24 rule. If you've already opened five or more new credit cards in the previous 24 months, Chase will most likely deny your credit card application.
This rule affects most Chase credit cards, including the Chase Freedom cards. If you think you might be at the limit, review all the credit cards you've opened in the last two years. If you won't pass the 5/24 rule, you're probably better off waiting until you can before you apply for a Chase card.
Other factors in your Chase Freedom credit card application
Here are other factors that can impact whether you're approved for a Chase Freedom credit card:
- How long you've been using credit
- Your income
- Your payment history
- Your credit card debt
- If you have any Chase bank accounts
Based on reports consumers have made, a credit history of at least one year is recommended before applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Freedom Flex℠. That means you should have a credit card you've been using for a year or longer with no late payments. Otherwise, Chase could deny your application because your credit file is too thin, regardless of your credit score.
There are indications that consumers who bank with Chase have better approval odds for Chase credit cards. With the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, Chase even mentions on its site that you can improve your chances of being approved by having a Chase checking account with at least $250 in it before applying.
Getting approved for a Chase Freedom card
To recap, good credit (a FICO® Score of 670 or higher) is recommended to get the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Freedom Flex℠, as those are some of Chase's best credit cards. You'll also need to pass Chase's 5/24 rule, and it helps if you've been using credit for at least a year, too. Credit score and history guidelines are much more relaxed with the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, since it's a credit-builder card.
If you don't meet the guidelines for the card you want yet, I recommend waiting until you do. And if it's your credit score that you're worried about, our guide on how to build credit fast can help you raise it.
Still have questions?
Here are some other questions we've answered:
FAQs
-
A credit score of 670 or higher is recommended for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Freedom Flex℠. There's no credit score required for the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, which is intended for consumers who are building credit.
-
It's not hard to get a Chase Freedom card. If you're building credit, you could qualify for the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, even if you don't have a credit score yet. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ are more difficult to get, as they generally require a good credit score of 670 or higher.
-
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card is the easiest Chase Freedom card to get. It doesn't have any credit score requirements, as it's designed for consumers who are building their credit history for the first time
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.
Share This Page
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.