Similar to fans of Pepsi or Coke, those seeking credit card rewards rebels love choosing between simple cards that maximize rotating categories like Discover it Cash Back vs Chase Freedom Flex on most counts.
Both cards offer 5% cash back in select merchant and product categories each quarter; however, in order to take advantage of this benefit you must activate them yourself.
No annual fee
The Discover it Cash Back card stands out as an exceptional option by not charging an annual fee and featuring an exceptional offer – up to 5% cashback on grocery purchases up to $12k annually for the first year, making this an attractive and competitive alternative to similar cards with rewards programs. Furthermore, its 1.5% flat rate applies for non-reward purchases making this an attractive credit card choice overall.
Chase Freedom Flex, another popular card offering 5 percent cash back in rotating quarterly categories upon activation (up to $1,500 in qualifying purchases, then 1%). Both cards share similar rewards structures and feature sets; however, Chase Freedom Flex may provide additional features which may make it the better option for some consumers.
Chase Freedom Flex card does not charge any foreign transaction fees, saving money when traveling internationally. Furthermore, its Mastercard World Elite version includes extra perks like cell phone insurance and discounts at Fandango and Boxed.
A more useful feature for those who travel frequently is a higher bonus category spend limit and simpler sign-up bonus, which includes three months of free DashPass membership plus 50% discounts for nine more months of membership.
Chase Freedom Flex offers another distinct advantage, in that there’s no minimum balance requirement – making it easier to keep an eye on spending and maximize rewards. This card is open to applicants with credit scores in the mid-650s; however, keep in mind that Chase operates a strict 5/24 rule which means new applicants may be rejected if they’ve opened five or more credit cards within 24 months (common among many other Chase cards such as Sapphire Preferred and Ink Boltz). Meanwhile, Discover it Cash Back features lower minimum credit scores plus no annual fee – making it an attractive alternative choice with generous sign-up bonuses.
No foreign transaction fee
Consumer products often feature two main brands that dominate their markets; for instance, when choosing between soda options such as Pepsi or Coke. Credit card rewards have their own set of competitors that vie for consumers’ dollars and loyalty.
Chase Freedom and Discover it are two of the premier cash back cards on the market, each providing unique twists to traditional rewards credit cards by offering 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories and offering generous welcome bonuses. But which card should you select?
Discover it Cash Back is ideal for anyone who can maximize the card’s rotating category rewards calendar and Cash Back Match program to their full advantage, but requires some attention in terms of maintenance and monitoring to take full advantage. Luckily, this card’s no annual fee makes it a fantastic value proposition.
Chase Freedom Flex provides more flexibility for those who cannot maximize Discover it’s rotating rewards categories, providing tiered 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, dining, takeaways and takeaway services as well as drugstore purchases plus unlimited 1% rewards on all other purchases.
However, it should be noted that this card charges a foreign transaction fee which could prove costly if your spending involves international purchases. Furthermore, its sign-up bonus is significantly smaller than that offered by Discover it card.
No penalty APR
While both cards offer rotating category cash back rewards, each also boasts its own distinctive set of features to make them stand out from one another. These differences include earnings, redemption, introductory offers and extra card benefits and perks; for instance, Chase Freedom Flex card is an ideal choice for travelers who seek cash back rewards on all travel expenses while providing valuable protections in case of financial emergencies.
Both cards offer competitive 0% APR periods on purchases and balance transfers, making them ideal choices for financing major expenses. However, the Discover it Cash Back card stands out with its higher rewards rate and more opportunities to earn cash back.
Discover it Cash Back offers 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 of quarterly purchases in featured categories upon activation. Its categories vary quarterly so that you can take full advantage of this reward program by planning purchases ahead of time – this feature is particularly helpful if you travel frequently, shop online frequently or use credit cards for business purchases.
Discover it Cash Back stands out from competing credit cards by not charging an annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and no penalty APR for late payments. Furthermore, this card offers several other perks, such as free overnight card replacement and no minimum deposit requirement.
The Chase Freedom Flex is an excellent alternative to Discover it Cash Back, as it offers generous introductory offer incentives and bonus categories such as dining, travel and drugstore purchases. In addition, its benefits package is quite comprehensive: trip cancellation/interruption insurance; cell phone protection plans; three free months of Instacart+ membership are just a few among many more!
This card boasts a zero percent APR for 15 months, followed by variable APR rates after that. Its sign-up bonus is higher than Discover it Cash Back’s and its introductory offers better accommodate travel, dining and drugs spending habits; interest-free periods also last longer.
No sign-up bonus
Discover it Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex are both rotating category credit cards offering high rewards rates upon activation, both offering up to $1,500 worth of purchases annually with participating merchants in featured categories for up to 5% cash back – without an annual fee – while providing no annual fee savings. However, each card may present unique differences which may have an effect on your decision-making.
The Chase Freedom Flex card boasts an increased earning potential for its rewards points, in addition to additional perks such as travel insurance, 90 day purchase protection and one year extension on manufacturer warranties. Furthermore, its first late fee waiver and no foreign transaction fees make this card particularly desirable – however it has a slightly higher minimum credit score requirement of 670 and lower rewards rate than other cards on offer.
However, Discover it Cash Back provides an easier rewards structure and does not charge an annual fee. It has a 1% cashback rate on all other purchases without activation requirements, plus provides better cashback matches as well as the option of redeeming points for gift cards or travel.
Both cards compete for customers, but it’s essential that you think carefully about how you intend to use your card before selecting one. For instance, there may be other cards offering greater balance transfer bonuses.
Discover it card used to have an advantage over its competition by releasing their categories each quarter for planning purposes, but they have since changed this policy and now release them every four quarters.
The card’s rotating categories are extremely flexible, covering many common forms of spending such as gas stations, grocery stores and home improvement supplies. Furthermore, there’s a generous sign-up bonus and exceptional customer service; plus it boasts no annual fee and an attractive balance transfer APR that set it apart from competitors.
