In early 2020, Chase stopped taking online applications for the Chase Slate®— a card that was once the best choice for balance transfers given its introductory 0% APR and no balance transfer fee in the first 60 days of account opening. Since then, Chase hasn't offered any cards with a 0% APR on balance transfers, but there's now a new option to consider.
The new Chase Slate Edge℠ card isn't quite as generous in the 0% APR department, but it has features that could be beneficial if you want to avoid high interest charges or are just getting started with credit. You'll receive an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, followed by a Chase Slate Edge℠ APR, and there's no annual fee.
However, if you're looking to make a balance transfer without fees, you're out of luck. The Chase Slate Edge℠ charges a fee of 3% (or $5, whichever is greater) for balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening; after that, the fee goes up to 5%. You're also not eligible to transfer a balance from other Chase accounts (including credit cards and loans), but that's typical of most balance transfer offers across all issuers.
The Chase Slate Edge℠ offers a welcome bonus of Chase Slate Edge℠, but beyond the initial bonus, the Chase Slate Edge℠ doesn't earn rewards. That said, it offers a couple of advantages that could be of interest to new cardholders who are building their credit or who might need to carry a balance.
"Consumers want tools to help take them to the next level of their financial journey and we designed Slate Edge to enable cardmembers to reach their goals faster," said Kristen Bowdoin, General Manager of Chase Freedom and Slate. "We're giving cardmembers an edge to tackle 'what's next' on their financial to-do list and put their best foot forward."
One handy feature that could help you build your credit is an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit if you've paid on time and spent at least $500 in your first six months of opening the Chase Slate Edge℠.
Carrying a balance on your credit card isn't a good idea because you'll end up paying interest, but it's sometimes unavoidable due to unexpected expenses or a loss of income. The Chase Slate Edge℠ comes with a novel benefit that can help reduce the amount of interest you'll pay — but only if you use the card and pay your bills on time.
Each account anniversary, you'll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you've paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction is capped, though — it will only be reduced until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (currently 12.99% variable APR based on the Prime Rate of 3.25% as of February 4, 2021).
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to carry a large balance month to month, this feature could save you money — but it only kicks in after a year of having (and using) the card.
Other Chase Slate Edge benefits
Because it doesn't earn rewards or charge an annual fee, you might expect that the Chase Slate Edge℠ doesn't offer additional benefits.
That's actually not the case — the Chase Slate Edge℠ comes with a handful of perks that can save you money if you ever need to use them. It also comes with access to features like Chase Credit Journey (which comes with identity theft protection) and My Chase Plan, which allows you to pay off purchases over time for a fixed monthly fee.
Purchase protection
When you use the Chase Slate Edge℠ to pay for an eligible item, you'll receive protection against damage or theft within 120 days of purchase. Coverage is up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Extended warranty
The Chase Slate Edge℠ offers an extended warranty benefit on qualifying items, extending the time period of a US manufacturer's warranty (of three years or less) by an additional year.
Car rental insurance
If you pay for your rental in full with the Chase Slate Edge℠ and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you're eligible for theft and collision damage coverage for most cars in the US and abroad. Coverage is secondary to your own personal insurance in the US, and primary otherwise.
Cardholders have access to a 24/7 roadside dispatch hotline which can help you arrange services like towing, winching, or jumpstarting. The dispatch service itself is free, but you'll be charged for any services rendered.
Alternatives to the Chase Slate Edge card
Better 0% APR offers and rewards earning
While the Chase Slate Edge℠ has a few decent benefits, it's only a good pick if you're not able to qualify for better credit cards that either offer a longer 0% APR offer on purchases, balance transfers, or both, or that earn rewards in combination with an intro APR offer.
For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ come with a welcome bonus of Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Plus, new cardholders will earn 5% back (5x points) at grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 in spending during the first year of account opening (then 1x).
They offer an introductory 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months (then a 14.99%–23.74% variable APR), and each earns up to 5% cash back (5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar) on purchases. There's no annual fee on either card.
If you don't need a 0% APR on balance transfers, the 0% purchase APR is a better deal at 15 months (versus 12 months on the Chase Slate Edge℠).
For balance transfers only, you could consider the no-annual-fee Citi® Double Cash Card, which doesn't have a welcome bonus but offers a long 18-month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers (then a Citi® Double Cash Card). It's one of the best cash-back credit cards because it effectively earns 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay it off). Here's our Citi Double Cash card review for all the details.
And for the best of both worlds, the new Citi Custom Cash℠ Card could be a good fit. It's offering a welcome bonus of Citi Custom Cash℠ Card and earns up to 5x rewards on everyday purchases. New cardholders receive a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then a Citi Custom Cash℠ Card APR), and there's also no annual fee.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Some of the best starter credit cards also offer automatic consideration for credit line increases, and there's no spending requirement to meet like on the Chase Slate Edge℠.
For example, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and Journey Student Rewards from Capital One earn rewards, and after six on-time payments, Capital One will automatically consider you for a credit limit increase.
Chase even offers a similar benefit on the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, which earns 1% cash back on all purchases and comes with a welcome bonus of $50 after you make your first purchase in the first three months of account opening. After making five monthly payments on time and meeting credit criteria within the first 10 months of account opening, you're eligible for a credit limit increase.
