Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card Review: A Good Choice for Building Credit

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

• 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:

  • Statement credit
  • Direct deposit
  • Payment for purchases on Amazon.com
  • Travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards®

• 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.

  Tip: If you set up automatic payments, make sure you have sufficient funds in your checking or savings account so you don’t overdraft the account.

• 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:

  • Purchase protection covers new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days, up to $500 per claim and up to $50,000 per account
  • Extended warranty protection adds an additional year to the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items.
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance reimburses up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares for covered situations.

• 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:

  • 5% total cash back on Lyft Rides through March 31, 2025. You’ll receive an extra 3.5% cash back in addition to the regular 1.5% cash back.
  • Complimentary DashPass for three months, then nine months at 50% off. You must activate this benefit by Dec. 31, 2024.
  • Complimentary Instacart+ for three months, then you’ll be automatically enrolled into an annual membership. Enrolled cardmembers can earn up to $10 in statement credits each quarter through July 31, 2024 with eligible Instacart purchases.

• 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 26.24% 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.

Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card card vs. Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

If your credit score is too low to be approved for the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, you should consider the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card. Though it requires a minimum $200 security deposit, it doesn’t have an annual fee and lets you earn cash back on every purchase.

Cardholders earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. 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.

Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card card vs. Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you’re a student who can qualify for the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, you may find it a more rewarding option than the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card. It offers generous cash back on areas where students may spend the most: dining, groceries and entertainment.

Cardholders earn 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 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.

It’s recommended for students with fair / good credit, but you can keep the card once you finish school, or ask about switching to another Capital One Credit card.

Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card card vs. Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card

The Petal^® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa^® Credit Card is another excellent unsecured cash back credit card for cardholders with limited credit histories. Petal uses alternative credit data — like your bank account history, income and bills paid from your bank account — to create a “Cash Score” to determine your eligibility.

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 Savor 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.