During a recent conversation about the ever-evolving payments landscape, my friend posed a question that made me think: With so many other ways to pay for things now, what’s the best reason to use a credit card? It took me a few minutes to find an answer, and when I did, I wasn’t sure why it hadn’t been immediately obvious — the credit card rewards. Who doesn’t want what amounts to a discount on, well, everything?
One of the best cash back rewards cards on the market is the Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card, which combines flat rate unlimited cash back, with bonus rewards that are available in a different category each quarter — including gas stations, restaurants, and wholesale clubs. While not for those with poor credit, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a solid rewards card choice if your credit report is in good condition. In the following article, we’ll take an up-close look at the Chase Freedom — credit score range, potential roadblocks, current Chase Freedom offers, and some options to consider if you don’t qualify for the Chase Freedom card.
Possible Roadblocks | Current Offers | Denial Options | Reconsideration
3 Possible Roadblocks to Acceptance
There are many factors that go into determining your credit card eligibility. While most of these variables have some wiggle room, others are often treated as hard-and-fast rules. Here are the three main impediments to approval for Chase Freedom Flex℠ applicants.
1. Good Credit Score Required — At least 645, According to Reviews
While not the end-all-be-all of your application, your credit score is an important factor. Thankfully, it also happens to be one of the factors with the most leeway. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is mainly for those in the “Good” (700+) to “Excellent” (750+) credit ranges, but there are reports of people being accepted with credit scores as low as 645.
- Chase Freedom Flex℠
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
An important note thing to note about your credit score: It can vary depending on the source. Chase may pull from any one — or more — of the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Which credit report (or reports) they pull will depend mostly on your location, as it seems to vary by state.
2. Utilization: What You Use vs. What You Have
Your utilization rate is essentially the ratio of your total credit card balances — what you owe — and your total available credit — what you have available. So, if you have a total credit limit of $10,000 and you have a total balance of $2,500, your utilization rate is 25%.
Your ideal utilization rate should be no greater than 30% — within the shaded blue area.
As a general rule of thumb, most experts recommend keeping your utilization rate below 30% to avoid credit score damage. While this isn’t a hard-and-fast limit, the higher your utilization rate, the less likely you are to be approved for new credit.
In some ways, your credit utilization may be one of the easiest denial factors to change — or at least the quickest. If you pay down your current balances, your utilization will decrease once those updated balance are reported to the credit bureaus. This will likely increase your credit scores, potentially increasing your likelihood of acceptance.
3. Account History & the “5/24 Rule”
When researching common rejection responses, it seems that account history is the most frequently reported cause for denial. Rejections seem to fall into one of two camps: too little overall history, or too much recent history.
If you’re new to building credit, you may not have a very significant credit history. In this case, you are essentially an unknown to the credit card companies — and unknowns are risky. Applicants with less than one year of verifiable credit history are often asked to reapply at a later time.
Additionally, if you have a previous black mark on your history like a defaulted loan or bankruptcy, Chase recommends that your credit history shows at least three squeaky-clean years.
Of course, no matter what your credit score, if you have too many recent accounts, you’ll typically be instantly rejected. Known as the 5/24 Rule, Chase will automatically deny any applicant that has opened five or more credit accounts in the past 24 months, regardless of issuer or creditworthiness. This rule applies to all Chase bank credit cards, as well as a goodly number of Chase co-branded credit cards.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ & Chase Freedom Unlimited® Offers
If you think you fit all the criteria for a Chase Freedom Flex℠, then apply away! This quarter’s bonus categories won’t last forever.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
This card is currently not available.
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Intro (Transfers)
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Additional Disclosure: The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
Don’t forget to activate your quarterly rewards once you receive your card.
If you’d prefer a simpler way to earn cash back without worrying about rotating categories, try the new Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Instead of bonus rewards on certain purchases, Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a higher flat-rate rewards percentage.
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% - 28.24%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
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19.49% - 28.24% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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Cash back rewards will stay good as long as your account is open; your points will never expire.
How to Deal with Denial
If you have been denied a Chase Freedom Flex℠ because of your credit, you may need to take time to improve or repair your credit before applying again. Paying off existing debt, especially if your utilization is above the 30% limit, will be the best way to go. If you need to build — or rebuild — credit, try these three credit cards that typically approve applicants with “Fair” (630+) credit scores or below.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
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N/A
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N/A
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See Provider Website
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See Provider Website
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Fair/Poor
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- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- We help people with bad credit, every day.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- You can build* or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
- *Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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See Provider Website
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See Provider Website
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Fair/Poor
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- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Credit Needed
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N/A
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N/A
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29.74% (Variable)
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$0
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Limited, Bad
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If you are still facing credit card denials, or are feeling overcome by your debt, you may need a debt management program. A reputable company can help you work with your lenders to design a payment plan and get out of debt.
Last-Ditch Effort: Call the Reconsideration Line
If you really have your heart set on the Chase Freedom Flex℠, or believe there was some sort of error in your application, there is one last step you can try — the reconsideration line. Called different things by different card companies, there is a “backdoor” phone number (read: skip the usual customer service representative) that will take you to someone with the power to re-evaluate your application — and make a decision one way or the other. To get in touch with a Chase “credit analyst” who can take a look at your application for a Chase Freedom Flex℠, call this number:
888-245-0625
Chances are, you were initially denied because they considered you a credit risk; don’t encourage that opinion. Have a reasonable explanation for why you want the card, but don’t mention a signup bonus — credit card companies want to think you’re in it for the long haul. Also, make sure you know all of your information, including your latest credit scores and card balances. If you were turned down due to an error, now is the time to set the record straight.
One of the most important tools in your reconsideration belt, though, is simply you. Be polite, encourage a little friendly conversation, and show you understand that the person on the other end of the line is, in fact, a person. With the right attitude and a little luck, you can have your new Chase Freedom Flex℠ in no time.
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Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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