Chase Slate review: Reduce debt and raise your credit score
Editor's Note
Chase Slate overview
The Chase Slate® (see rates and fees) is tailored to consumers who want to improve their financial profile by reducing their credit card debt or raising their credit score. This card comes with a lengthy introductory annual percentage rate (APR) period to help you avoid interest for 21 months (then a variable APR of 18.24%–28.24%), plus several other incentives after you make consistent on-time payments. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Here at The Points Guy, we know that the right credit card can unlock a whole suite of benefits and rewards that are simply not available when you use a debit card instead.
But there's one major caveat: In order to avoid credit card interest fees, you must first pay your balance on time and in full. Therefore, if you currently have credit card debt, your first step should be to prioritize reducing your account balance. You can break up eligible purchases over $100 into payments with no interest, just a fixed monthly fee with the cards' Pay Over Time option.
Fortunately, there are tools to help you avoid an exorbitant amount of interest and late fees. One of these is the Chase Slate , which has no annual fee and is designed specifically for those who want to reduce their debt and raise their credit score over time.
Approved applicants typically have a credit score of 670 or higher.
We'll review the Chase Slate to see if it's the best card for those looking to pay down debt.
Chase Slate pros and cons
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Chase Slate welcome offer
The Chase Slate doesn't come with a traditional welcome offer, but new cardholders can be considered for a credit limit increase in the first six months and making on-time payments. This isn't a great welcome offer, but it's better than nothing.
Credit-building cards usually don't come with a substantial welcome offer, so I don't view the Slate negatively because of this.
It also offers an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (then a variable APR of 18.24%–28.24%), however, which is useful for those trying to eliminate high-interest debt.
Related: The top no-annual-fee credit cards with a 0% introductory APR
Chase Slate benefits
While you won't earn any points or cash back with the Chase Slate, this card is intended to help rebuild your credit from the ground up.
As mentioned, there's a 0% introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 21 months from account opening (then a variable APR of 18.24%-28.24%). This means you can transfer your account balance from your existing credit cards to the Chase Slate and enjoy a sweet 0% interest rate.
While you'll face an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater (then $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater thereafter), this 21-month period gives you time to strategically pay off your balance as quickly as possible without accruing any other interest. After the introductory period, you'll face a variable APR of 18.24%-28.24% on any remaining balance.
Finally, Chase offers user-friendly tools such as Credit Journey and My Chase Plan to help you manage your debt and track progress toward your financial goals.
To sum it up, while you won't earn any enticing rewards with this card, it's more important to focus on reducing your debt and avoid any ancillary fees first — and the Chase Slate delivers the tools you need to do that.
Related: 6 things to do to improve your credit
Which cards compete with the Chase Slate?
Several simple starter cards compete with the Chase Slate; here are a few options I recommend:
- If you want more rewards: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) has no annual fee but offers cardholders the opportunity to earn valuable cash-back rewards. You earn 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay off your balance for those purchases. That's a considerable 2% reward rate on all your purchases, which can certainly add up to more money in your pocket over time. To learn more, read our full review of the Double Cash.
- If you have a low credit score: You may want to consider a secured credit card, like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. This card allows you to define your credit limit by putting down a fully refundable deposit of up to $1,000. You'll be automatically considered for a credit line increase after six months, incentivizing users to hone in on their credit usage strategies and rebuild their credit scores. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Platinum Secured.
- If you want cash back: The Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) offers cardholders the ability to earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter), 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ and 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery) and at drugstores. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
For additional options, check out our full lists of the best secured cards and best starter cards.
Read more: What is a secured credit card?
Is the Chase Slate worth it?
If one of your immediate goals is to reduce credit card debt, the Chase Slate can be a crucial tool to unlock financial freedom once and for all. I view it as a great option if you're trying to rebuild your credit score. Just note that you won't earn cash-back, points or miles on your purchases.
Bottom line
The Chase Slate can help you rebuild your credit and establish healthy credit habits, allowing you to move on to bigger and better credit cards that can help you earn maximum rewards on all your purchases.
The card's lengthy introductory APR period (then a variable APR of 18.24%–28.24%), plus other incentives to help you make on-time payments, make it a worthy addition to any beginner's wallet.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees