Preview: Chase Freedom Credit Card
Posted by Cap in Credit Related on March 22, 2007 |Yeah so the blog’s previews (& other upcoming post) takes about a few decade to become a full review… but you know, good things comes to those that wait etc. etc.

If you’re the cable news TV type, you may have noticed the ape-crazy advertising campaign that Chase has set up for the Chase Freedom Credit Card. In fact, as far as I can tell, the Chase Freedom ad is also aggressively marketed on many online news site.
The gist:
- A cash-back credit card that can be converted to earning points, depending on customer preference.
- 3% cash back (or points) for every $1 spend at eligible Gas, Grocery, and Quick Service Restaurant purchases.
- Quick Service (as in fast food joints), but this may also include places such as sandwich, bagel, and coffee shops!
- 1% cash back (or points) for every $1 spend elsewhere.
- Save up $200 in cash back and get $250 back! (Essentially 3.75% or 1.25% cash back, depending on purchases).
- Maximum of $600 in purchase within a billing cycle for the 3% category.
- Cash back expires in 36 months, while points expire in 60 months.

Pros:
- 3% cash back may be as good as it gets for now.
- 3% cash back for trans fat filled burritos, burgers, fries, and donuts! Oh my!
- 3.75% cash back for those that are patient.
- No more two-cycle billing method.
- New Chase site allows for easier cash-back claim and switching to point.
Cons:
- High interest rate: 14.24% APR for good credit, 18.24% APR for moderate, and finally 23.24% APR for marginal credit. (Prime rate are high these days).
- 3% international purchase/transaction fee. Yuck.
- It’s another freaking credit card in your wallet.
Expect a full review soon. And by soon, I mean someday within this lifetime.
Update: Full review of Chase Freedom Credit Card is now available.
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March 22nd, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Does this have warranty manager and free insurance on car rentals?
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
I have this card and have one major complaint with it. What the hell counts as a Quick Service restaurant?!
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:59 am
all VISA card should have the auto rental collision damage wavier benefit, but I believe only a VISA Signature card will have the warranty manager service.
So the Chase Freedom doesn’t have it(read follow up comment below).the definition for quick service restaurants are pretty vague.. but for sure most fast food joints will qualify under this. most coffee shop should too. basically, most places that aren’t sit-in restaurants with servers.
it also depends on how the merchant identifies themselves as they bill you too, and Chase is pretty much has the final say on who falls under the category and who doesn’t.
a few trial and error at your favorite local eateries should be able to distinguish what’s qualified and what’s not
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I switched my Chase rewards card to the Freedom card. It only took a phone call. I think it was well worth it since the 3% categories are the main ones I use my card for. The Chase rewards card paid only 1% for everything.
March 24th, 2007 at 10:25 am
To me it seems that giving people the opportunity to be able to switch between points and cash rewards means that that you will never really be able to to accomplish much with either one. Maybe that is the point!
This card seems to really be geared towards people who RELIGIOUSLY pay their balance in full every month. Not much point in paying 13% (or however much interest you pay a month) to get 1-3% back!
April 6th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
haha well if you have patience I think you can accumulate enough. plus switching between won’t diminish the value of the points or cash.
but you’re right on paying it in full every month. if you don’t, there’s little point in these rewards as the interest rate will easily balance them out.
April 6th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
great review. this is the first explanation of this card that i’ve actually understood.
i’m searching your site for the keep the change promo. i can’t find it. wrong blog? geez, i’m sorry. have a great weekend! :)–t
April 19th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
The Chase Freedom is a signature card - see here
April 19th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Actually yeah thanks for the correction Mike. There is a Visa Signature Chase Freedom available (along with the normal one). There is also a World MasterCard Chase Freedom available too (along with the normal MasterCard).
I haven’t seen a link to the World MasterCard, as I got the targeted offer in the mail (after I wrote this post) it’s benefits are also a bit different. You get 3% back from the top 3 spending categories from a list of about 17 categories. Pretty spiffy. There was also an offer of $100 reward after first purchase, so I went ahead and got this card too.
Ah, so many credit card in so short of a time… ack