Freedom Flex vs. Discover it Chrome Credit Card Comparison

Name: Chase Freedom Flex® Card vs. Discover it® Chrome
Item: Chase Freedom Flex® Card vs. Discover it® Chrome
Author: Doug Milnes, CFA

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Both the Chase Freedom Flex® Card and the Discover it® Chrome stand out for their no annual fee and cash back rewards, which might by why you're considering them. The Freedom Flex edges ahead due to its higher potential cash back in rotating categories and a longer 0% introductory APR period on purchases.

The Discover it Chrome is still a strong contender with its own 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers for 18 months and no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice if you’re planning to transfer balances or travel abroad.

Chase Freedom Flex® Card

Discover it® Chrome

MoneyGeek Rating

3.6/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

4.0/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
19.99%-28.74% variable
18.74% - 27.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% intro APR for 15 months
0% for 6 months on purchases
Intro Offer
Earn a $200 bonus
Cashback Match
Rewards Summary
Earn 1% – 5% cash back
Earn 1%–2% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 18 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
3% of the amount of each transfer (minimum $5)
5% of the amount of each transfer after intro fee
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670–850 (good to excellent)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
Up to 29.99% variable
None
Not sure?
The Freedom Flex edges out with its diverse rewards program an longer 0% intro APR period, making it ideal for maximizing cash back in various categories and managing debt. The Discover it Chrome is better suited if you prefer a simpler cash back structure, especially on gas and dining, and plan to use your card internationally without incurring foreign transaction fees.
Choose the Freedom Flex for rotating rewards and a longer intro APR, or the Discover it Chrome for straightforward cash back and international purchases.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Freedom Flex if you're looking for a card with a generous introductory bonus and the flexibility to earn high cash back in rotating categories each quarter. Plan your spending around these categories and take full advantage of the 5% cash back offer. The 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers can also provide significant savings on interest if you have upcoming large purchases or existing credit card debt.

You might prefer the Discover it Chrome if consistent rewards on gas and dining are a priority. The Discover it Chrome offers a straightforward 2% cash back on these categories up to a limit each quarter. If you're planning a balance transfer, the 0% intro APR for 18 months can be particularly attractive. The card also has no foreign transaction fees.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify the differences between the Freedom Flex and the Discover it Chrome. Use this section to align card features with your spending patterns and financial goals, such as maximizing cash back in specific categories or minimizing fees.

Regular APR: Discover it Chrome

The Discover it Chrome offers a slightly lower range starting at 18.24%, compared with the Chase Freedom Flex's 20.49%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Freedom Flex and the Discover it Chrome have no annual fee.

Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

The Freedom Flex offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, with a 3% balance transfer fee. The Discover it Chrome provides 0% for 6 months on purchases and extends it to 18 months for balance transfers, albeit with a higher 5% transfer fee after the intro period.

Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex® Card

The Freedom Flex is better for rewards, offering 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (upon activation and up to $1,500 in purchases), 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 1% on all other purchases.

By contrast, the Discover it Chrome offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% on all other purchases.

Welcome Offers: Chase Freedom Flex® Card

The Freedom Flex offers a better welcome bonus, featuring a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months, translating to a higher return on investment compared with the Discover it Chrome's Cashback Match offer, which yields $200 in matched cash back after spending at least $16,000 in your first year.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Freedom Flex and the Discover it Chrome require a credit score range of 670 to 850, catering to individuals with good to excellent credit.

Penalties and Fees: Discover it Chrome

The Discover it Chrome is better for penalties and fees, offering a first late fee waiver and no penalty APR, compared with the Freedom Flex’s up to $40 late fee and up to 29.99% penalty APR. Additionally, Discover it® Chrome does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it® Chrome

The Discover it Chrome is better for issuer satisfaction, with Discover scoring a 4.5 compared with Chase's 4.1.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks depending on your lifestyle. Freedom Flex provides phone protection and trip cancellation/interruption insurance, valuable for travelers. Discover it Chrome offers free overnight card replacement and online personal information protection, appealing for security-conscious users.

Rewards Comparison

The Freedom Flex card outpaces the Discover it Chrome with its higher reward rates in diverse categories. It's particularly advantageous if you travel and dine out frequently, offering 5% back on travel booked through Chase and 3% on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services. The rotating categories, which can include gas stations and grocery stores, also provide opportunities to earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter upon activation.

While Discover it Chrome doesn't match the Freedom Flex's higher rates, it does offer a straightforward 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. This simplicity can be appealing if you prefer a consistent rewards structure without the need to track rotating categories.

The table provides a visual breakdown of the rewards categories and how they compare:

Category	Freedom Flex	Discover it Chrome
Rotating Categories	5% on rotating categories up to $1,500 quarterly upon activation	N/A
Travel	5% if purchased through Chase Travel	1%
Dining	3%	1%
Drugstores	3%	1%
Gas Stations	1%	2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
All Other Purchases	1%	1%

Redeeming Rewards

The Freedom Flex offers diverse options, allowing points to be used for cash, travel, and more, with varying redemption values. Points remain valid as long as the account is active. Conversely, Discover it Chrome provides redemption for cash back as statement credits, direct deposits and even payments on Amazon, with the added benefit that rewards never expire. Both cards ensure that the rewards you earn are accessible and enduring.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Freedom Flex and Discover it Chrome using a ranking process tailored to specific use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers. For these cards, the highest scoring use case is reflected in our comparison.

The Freedom Flex scores highest for cash back rewards, while Discover it Chrome leads in balance transfer offerings. The evaluation considers factors such as reward rates, APRs and issuer satisfaction. For a deeper understanding of our process, you can explore our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Freedom Flex vs. Discover it Chrome

What are the main differences in rewards between the Freedom Flex and Discover it Chrome?

The Freedom Flex offers a higher effective reward rate, while the Discover it Chrome provides consistent cash back on gas and dining.

Which card offers a better introductory bonus?

The Freedom Flex provides a $200 bonus, whereas the Discover it Chrome matches cash back earned in the first year.

How do the Freedom Flex and Discover it Chrome compare in terms of APR offers?

The Freedom Flex has a 0% intro APR for 15 months, while the Discover it Chrome offers it for six months on purchases and 18 months on balance transfers.

Are there any differences in fees between the two cards?

Despite both being cards with no annual fee, the Discover it Chrome has no foreign transaction fees, which is beneficial for international use.

Which card is more suitable for international travel?

The Discover it Chrome is more suitable due to its lack of foreign transaction fees.

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

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Chase Freedom Flex® Card
vs. Discover it® Chrome