How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Our take: The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card is an excellent option for people with limited or no credit to build credit, including students. You’ll get great protections and perks, including unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card is one of the best beginner credit cards for students and anyone with no credit or limited credit. It has a $0 annual fee — which means that if you pay off your balance in full each month, it won’t cost you anything to have it.
You’ll earn an exceptional rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and you can redeem it for a wide variety of options, including Chase travel. The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card also comes with extra protections and shopping perks that add to the value of the card.
However, its credit scoring requirements are higher than many beginner credit cards. Still, you can boost your approval odds by opening a bank account with Chase.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
Intro Purchase APR
N/A
Regular Purchase APR
26.99% Variable
Intro BT APR
N/A
Regular BT APR
26.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Advance Fee
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
Foreign Transaction Fee
3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Balance Transfer Fee
$5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Low-cost way to build credit
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card is an ideal first credit card because it costs nothing to own. It has a $0 annual fee and is unsecured, which means it doesn’t require a security deposit. It also has a higher-than-average minimum credit line of $500, so you can use it for a number of expenses without maxing it out.
Increase your approval chances with a Chase bank account
If you have a balance of at least $250 in a Chase checking or savings account, you have a better chance of being approved for the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card. This won’t completely guarantee your approval, but it means that your odds can be boosted by opening a bank account and establishing a relationship with Chase.
Earn a high rate of cash back
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card offers one of the best cash back rewards programs you can find on a credit card for building credit. You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and there’s no minimum amount to redeem and rewards don’t expire as long as your account is open.
You can redeem your cash back in a number of ways:
Receive a statement credit for setting up automatic payments
You’ll receive a $25 statement credit after you set up automatic payments within the first three months of account opening. Automatic payments mean you won’t miss a payment and can avoid a late fee. You’ll also put yourself on the path toward establishing good credit, since payment history makes up 35% of your credit score.
Credit limit increases
You can increase your credit limit by responsibly using your card and paying it off on time. Chase will evaluate your account for a credit limit increase as soon as six months. A higher credit limit can raise your credit score, since it helps keep your credit utilization ratio low.
Purchase protection and insurance
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card includes a solid set of purchase and travel protections for a beginner credit card, including:
Shopping benefits
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card offers additional benefits on some popular services, for cardholders who enroll before the activation deadline. Current benefits include:
No intro APRs
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card doesn’t offer a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers or purchases. Note that this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, since it’s rare for an entry-level card to offer intro APRs. However, you should avoid carrying a balance on this card, because the regular APR is 26.99% Variable.
Not for bad credit
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card is a first credit card for someone who’s never used credit, like a student. It isn’t for those who have bad credit from previous financial mishaps. If you are looking for a credit card for bad credit, check out the Discover it® Secured Credit Card or Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card.
Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
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Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card*
Learn More
on Chase's secure site |
$0 | With Chase Freedom Rise℠, you can start building credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back. | Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time. |
Learn More
on Chase's secure site |
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Discover it® Secured Credit Card
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
$0 | Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. |
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
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Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
$0 | 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases | Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months |
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
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Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card*
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$0 | Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away, and 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants | N/A |
Cardholders earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. And at the end of the first year, new cardholders will receive a match of the cash back earned in the first year.
This card also offers automatic reviews starting at seven months to transition you to an unsecured Discover credit card. If approved, you’ll get your security deposit refunded.
Cardholders earn 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases Plus, a limited-time promotion earns 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases and covers your Uber One monthly membership fee through Nov. 14, 2024.
It’s recommended for students with limited / fair credit, but you can keep the card once you finish school, or ask about switching to another Capital One Credit card.
The card offers cash back on every purchase: You’ll earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away, and 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants. It’s also a very affordable card that boasts no fees: $0 annual fee, no late payment fee and no foreign transaction fee.
If you need a card for building credit, the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card is one of the best. It puts money back in your pocket with a $0 annual fee and a cash back program. Plus perks like purchase protection and complementary DashPass and Instacart+ subscription help keep expenses low.
Further, as part of the Chase family of credit cards, there’s a natural path to upgrading to one that offers a more robust rewards program like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or the Chase Freedom Unlimited® once you’re ready to move to another card.
If you’re looking specifically for a student credit card, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is an even better choice. It offers elevated rewards in areas where you may spend heavily, including dining, groceries and entertainment.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card and Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.