Discover it® Cash Back Card
vs. Chase Freedom Flex® Card

Both the Discover it® Cash Back Card and the Chase Freedom Flex® Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fee, making them top contenders for savvy spenders. If maximizing cash back is your goal, the Freedom Flex Card edges ahead with its bonus categories and cash bonus for new cardholders.

However, the Discover it Cash Back offers a first-year cash back match for those looking to transfer a balance and earn rewards.

While both cards require good to excellent credit, they are accessible to a wide range of consumers. Consider Discover it Cash Back for its unique first-year bonus, but the Freedom Flex card may be the better choice for consistent category rewards.

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you value simplicity and the opportunity to double your cash back at the end of the first year. With no annual fee and a lower end of the regular variable APR range, it's a solid choice for those who want a straightforward cash back program without the need to track rotating categories.

You might prefer the Freedom Flex if you're looking for a card that offers various ways to earn cash back, especially if you spend frequently in the bonus categories. The $200 bonus after a modest initial spend is a great perk, and the card's bonus categories can yield significant rewards if they align with your spending habits.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and additional features will clarify which card aligns with your financial habits. For instance, if you plan to carry a balance, the Discover it Cash Back's lower APR range may appeal to you. Alternatively, frequent travelers might favor Freedom Flex's travel rewards. Assess each card's benefits in relation to your spending patterns to identify the most advantageous option.

The Freedom Flex offers a robust rewards program with an expected reward value of $379, which is slightly higher than the Discover it Cash Back's $361. With the Freedom Flex, you'll earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, making it a strong contender for those who spend heavily in these areas.

The Discover it Cash Back's most compelling feature is its first-year cash back match, which can double the rewards for new cardholders, but it doesn't offer higher rewards rates in as many categories as the Freedom Flex.

Both cards feature 5% cash back on rotating categories, up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter upon activation. These categories change every quarter and have included common spending areas like gas stations and grocery stores. To maximize rewards, you must stay informed about the current categories and remember to activate them.

The following table provides a visual comparison of the bonus categories for the Discover it Cash Back and Freedom Flex cards.

The Discover it Cash Back allows you to redeem cash back at any time, for any amount, and your rewards never expire. Additionally, Discover offers a unique first-year match on all cash back earned, effectively doubling your rewards.

The Freedom Flex allows you to use points for various options, including travel and gift cards, though redemption values may differ. Importantly, your points remain valid as long as your account is active.

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Discover it Cash Back and Freedom Flex using a scoring system tailored to various use cases. For this comparison, we focus on the highest-scoring use case for each card: balance transfers for Discover it Cash Back and cash back for Freedom Flex.

The largest factors influencing these scores include the introductory APR on purchases, the regular APR for balance transfers and the effective reward rate and regular APR for cash back. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

All information about the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.