Chase Freedom Rise review: A stepping stone to better credit with perks

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No need to sacrifice rewards for the sake of your credit score with the Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card. With this credit-builder card, you'll earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all your purchases.

Chase will also automatically review your account for a credit limit increase in as little as six months. You could even score an upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® after 12 months.

The Freedom Rise card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so every on-time payment helps boost your score. And with no annual fee to worry about, you can focus on using your card responsibly without any added pressure.

How the Chase Freedom Rise card works

• Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back on all qualifying purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account.
• Annual fee: $0 
• Credit-building features: Automatic account reviews for credit limit increases and upgrades, free credit score access with Chase Credit Journey
• Other benefits: Trip cancellation insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty

Chase Freedom Rise card rewards

Credit-building cards aren't particularly known for earning rewards, but that's not the case with the Chase Freedom Rise. This card keeps the rewards simple and sweet, so you can focus on building your credit without all the fuss.

Earning rewards

Chase Freedom Rise offers a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make with your card. No need to keep track of complicated categories or spending caps — just swipe and watch the rewards roll in.

The flat 1.5% cash back doesn't compare to top cash back cards, but it's still a significant perk. Cardholders can also earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025. Your cash back never expires as long as your account stays open and in good standing.

Redeeming rewards

Chase Freedom Rise offers several ways to redeem rewards earned from card purchases. You can redeem rewards points for cash back either as a statement credit or direct deposit into an eligible U.S. checking or savings account.

Beyond cash back, cardholders who link their card to their Amazon.com account can use rewards points to pay for all or part of eligible orders. Other redemption options include gift cards and travel booked through Chase.

Points are worth one cent when redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through Chase but only worth 0.8 cents when used at checkout to pay for Amazon.com orders.

Chase Freedom Rise card benefits

The Chase Freedom Rise comes with more extra perks than you might expect from a credit-building card. These benefits can provide value for those new to credit who may not qualify for more premium cards.

Sign up bonus

Chase Freedom Rise features a somewhat unconventional sign-up bonus. Cardholders earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening their account. There's no spending requirement to earn the bonus. Simply choose a date and payment dollar amount, and you'll earn the bonus.

This isn't the flashiest sign-up bonus out there, but considering the card is for newcomers to credit and doesn't include a spending requirement, it's an easy win for cardholders.

Automatic account reviews

Chase will proactively review your account for credit limit increases as soon as six months after opening your card. Chase will also review your account annually for a potential upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which comes with added perks.

Free credit score monitoring

As a cardholder, you'll have access to Chase Credit Journey, a free tool that lets you view your credit score, monitor your account for suspicious activity, and get personalized tips for improving your credit.

Purchase and travel protections

The Freedom Rise card offers purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. You'll also find staples like zero liability protection and 24/7 fraud monitoring to protect you and your account.

Complimentary DashPass membership

This card comes with a complimentary 3-month DashPass subscription, which provides $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on qualifying DoorDash and Caviar orders.

To access this perk, you must enroll and activate your membership by January 31, 2025. Following the initial three months, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass for the next nine months at a 50% discount.

Chase Freedom Rise approval odds and credit score requirements

Designed for those new to credit, the Chase Freedom Rise may be accessible to those with "fair" credit, defined as a FICO score between 580-669.

However, Chase doesn't publicly disclose a specific credit score requirement for this card. Your approval odds may also depend on other factors in your credit profile, such as your income or existing debts.

If you already have a banking relationship with Chase, such as a checking or savings account, this may also work in your favor. Chase states you can improve your approval chances by having at least $250 in any Chase checking or savings account before applying.

While Chase doesn't offer pre-approval for the Freedom Rise card, you can check for pre-qualified offers on the Chase website. This involves a soft credit pull that won't impact your score and can give you a better idea of your approval odds.

Remember that pre-qualification doesn't guarantee approval — you'll still need to submit a full application and meet Chase's credit criteria. However, it can be a helpful tool to gauge your chances and avoid unnecessary hard inquiries on your credit report.

How the Chase Freedom Rise can help build credit

The Chase Freedom Rise card can be a valuable tool if you want to establish or improve your credit. Here's how it can help:

• Chase reports your credit card activity to all three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This includes payment history, credit utilization, and account age — key factors in determining your credit score.
• Payment history is especially important — it accounts for 35% of your FICO score. By using your Freedom Rise card and paying your bill on time each month, you can show responsible credit use and build a positive payment history.
• The Freedom Rise offers automatic account reviews for credit limit increases after as little as six months. A higher credit limit can help improve your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you're using compared to your total credit limit), which makes up 30% of your FICO score. By keeping your utilization low and securing credit limit increases when eligible, you can give your score a boost.
• Keeping your Freedom Rise account open and in good standing can help you build a longer credit history, which accounts for 15% of your FICO score. The longer you show responsible credit use, the more it can positively impact your score.

How the Chase Freedom Rise card compares

Chase Freedom Rise is a great option if you're new to credit and may not qualify for other rewards cards. But it’s not the only option for building credit.

Chase Freedom Rise Card vs. Capital One Platinum Credit Card

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is another option for those with average credit. Like the Freedom Rise, it has no annual fee. However, the Platinum card doesn't offer any rewards — so if earning cash back is a priority, the Freedom Rise comes out ahead with its unlimited 1.5% rewards rate.

For both cards, Cardholders would be considered for a credit line increase within six months. The Freedom Rise also offers the potential to upgrade to the Freedom Unlimited card, a feature the Platinum can't match.

One area where the Platinum card shines is its lack of foreign transaction fees. If you plan to travel abroad, this could make it a better choice than the Freedom Rise, which charges a 3% fee on international purchases.

The Chase Freedom Rise card is designed for those new to credit who want to build a strong credit score. But how do you know if it's the right fit for your wallet? Here are a few signs this card could be a good match:

• You're just starting your credit journey. If you have little to no credit history, the Freedom Rise card can help you establish a track record of responsible credit use.
• You want to earn rewards without an annual fee. Unlike many credit-building cards, the Freedom Rise lets you earn cash back on every purchase at no yearly cost.
• You're already a Chase customer. If you have a Chase checking or savings account with at least $250, you may have an easier time getting approved for the Freedom Rise card.
• You're looking for growth potential. The Freedom Rise card offers a path to a higher credit limit in as little as six months and an upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited with responsible use in a year.

The Freedom Rise card may not be the best choice if:

• You have established credit. You may qualify for cards with higher rewards rates and more premium perks if you already have a good credit score.
• You want a big sign-up bonus. The Freedom Rise card's $25 statement credit for setting up automatic payments is easy to earn but modest compared to other cash back cards.
• You plan to carry a balance. With a high variable APR, the Freedom Rise card can get expensive if you don't pay in full monthly. Consider a low-interest card instead.

How we rated this card

Every credit card review we publish has undergone a rigorous editorial process to ensure accuracy and objectivity. Learn more about our methodology here.

The bottom line

The Chase Freedom Rise could be a valuable tool if you're new to credit. It offers a potentially easier path to approval without resorting to secured cards. With no annual fee and flat-rate cash back, it provides a simple way to build credit and earn rewards without too much effort.

As with any credit card, start by evaluating your financial goals, spending habits, and credit standing to determine whether the Chase Freedom Rise is right for you. Then, compare it to similar competitor cards, paying attention to earning rates, fees, interest charges, and benefits.

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.