Chase launches new Freedom Rise card for those building credit
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Whether someone is looking for a starter credit card, a cash-back card or a card that will pair well with their Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, TPG staffers are likely to recommend a card in the Chase Freedom family.
We love the 1.5% back you get with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the 5% rotating quarterly categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® (activation required). Not to mention, if you're a student, you'll find a Freedom card tailored to you.
Today, Chase announced a new addition to its beloved Freedom family: the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card.
The information for the Freedom Rise has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The new Chase Freedom Rise credit card
The Freedom Rise has no annual fee and earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases. It is designed for "new-to-credit customers" and aims to help cardholders build credit while earning cash back on all their purchases.
Currently, you can apply online, but Chase recommends applying in a branch to take advantage of the opportunity for a Chase banker to help guide you through the application and go over the credit-building tools available.
Applicants can increase their chances of being approved for the card if they already have, or open, a Chase checking account with at least a $250 balance within two days of application. After approval, there is no ongoing minimum checking account balance requirement.
In addition to the 1.5% flat cash-back earning rate, cardholders will enjoy these benefits:
- Earn $25 for enrollment in autopay in the first three months of account opening.
- Access Chase Credit Journey to check your credit score for free.
- Access educational and credit development resources.
- 24/7 fraud monitoring.
How to upgrade from the Freedom Rise to the Freedom Unlimited
Freedom Rise cardholders will be automatically evaluated on their yearly anniversary for an upgrade to Chase Freedom Unlimited. Criteria for the upgrade include:
- The cardmembers' Freedom Rise account is open, and a purchase has been made on the Rise card within the last 12 months.
- In the past 12 months, all payments to all financial lenders have been made on time, and no Chase accounts were suspended.
- They do not have an existing Freedom Unlimited card.
Who should get the Chase Freedom Rise?
If you're new to the world of points and miles and are working on building your credit, this card could be a good place to start. However, it might be best to start with a secured credit card like the Discover It Secured Credit Card. Then, get a cash-back card that offers a higher earning rate, such as the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees).
If you already have solid credit, you're better off getting one of the other cards in the Freedom family, like the Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex. Both offer a welcome bonus and 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases.
The information for the Discover it Secured has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
The Chase Freedom Rise is a new addition to the Freedom lineup geared toward customers who want to build their credit. It allows them to increase their chances of approval by having or opening a Chase bank account.
Still, we recommend starting with a secured credit card to build your credit score and then choosing a cash-back card with a higher rate when you're eligible.
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