Chase Freedom Rise Review: Easy Rewards for Credit Freshmen

Chase Freedom Rise Benefits

The Chase Freedom Rise offers benefits that appeal to credit newcomers, but it also comes with perks you don’t always see on no-annual-fee credit cards.

Simple, Straightforward Rewards

With the Freedom Rise, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase — no rotating categories or confusing bonus tiers. This simplicity is ideal for those just learning the ropes of credit rewards.

Automatic Credit Limit Reviews

After six months of responsible use, Chase reviews your account for potential credit limit increases without the need to call or apply manually. This helps boost your credit score by lowering utilization and increasing spending power.

No Annual Fee and No Security Deposit

This is a true starter card with no annual fee and no requirement for a security deposit, making it accessible for students and newcomers without up-front costs or collateral.

Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty and Travel Protections

Surprisingly for a starter card, the Freedom Rise includes built-in purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, giving added peace of mind for making essential purchases, such as a laptop.

The card even gives you peace of mind if you have to cancel that trip home to see Mom and Dad at the last minute, with trip cancellation and interruption insurance for any nonrefundable fares you charge to the card.

Complimentary DashPass Access

Chase Freedom Rise cardholders get six months of free DashPass, the DoorDash membership that offers $0 delivery fees and reduced service charges on eligible orders via DoorDash and Caviar (activation required by Dec. 31, 2027). Note: After the six-month trial, the membership auto-renews at the standard monthly rate unless canceled — so it’s important to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to continue paying.

Chase Freedom Rise Drawbacks

High Variable APR, No Intro 0% APR

With a 25.74% APR and no introductory APR offer on purchases or balance transfers, this card is not ideal for carrying a balance. New credit users should prioritize paying off their full statement balance monthly to avoid high interest charges.

Bank Account Requirement for Better Approval Odds

Chase recommends that applicants open or have a Chase checking account with at least $250 deposited to maximize the chance of approval. For those without an existing Chase banking relationship or who hesitate to open a new account, this can be a frustrating hurdle.

Low Starting Credit Limits

Starting credit limits can begin as low as $500, especially for people with limited or no credit history. While Chase reviews accounts for automatic or requested credit limit increases after about six months of responsible use, the low initial limit can restrict spending flexibility and the credit utilization benefit that new users want to boost their credit scores.

Foreign Transaction Fee

A 3% foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made outside the US, which is worth noting for occasional international travelers or those shopping with foreign merchants online.

Who Is the Chase Freedom Rise Best For?

The Chase Freedom Rise is a thoughtful pick for young adults and college students taking their first real steps into credit cards. Its simplicity — earning a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase and having no annual fee — means cardholders don’t need to worry about tracking categories or complicated rewards structures. That’s a huge advantage for busy students balancing coursework, social life and budgeting.

As a mom of two college students who also happens to write about credit cards, I appreciate the automatic credit limit reviews after six months. This builds credit gradually without my kids having to ask or jump through hoops. The Freedom Rise can also nudge responsible spending habits early by rewarding every purchase and keeping things straightforward.

It’s important to note the recommendation to open or maintain a Chase checking account with a minimum deposit, which could be a sticking point for some. But since many of the best travel credit cards are issued by Chase, it could make sense to start early within its ecosystem. And chances are your student will open their own checking account anyway, so it may not even be an extra step.

Is It the Right Card for You?

For students or newcomers seeking a simple, budget-friendly card that delivers steady cash back and prioritizes credit building, the Freedom Rise fits the bill nicely. The card will work if you:

• Are looking for a simple, no-fuss way to start building credit without complicated rewards categories
• Prefer a card with no annual fee and no security deposit required
• Can manage credit responsibly to avoid the high ongoing APR
• Want automatic credit limit reviews to help grow credit responsibly over time
• Are open to opening or maintaining a Chase checking account to improve approval chances

Alternatives to the Chase Freedom Rise

If the Chase Freedom Rise doesn’t quite fit your needs, or if you want to explore other paths to building credit, these two cards are worth considering:

• Discover it® Student Cash Back: This card stands out with rotating cash back categories each quarter — think popular spots like restaurants, gas stations or Amazon — with a simple activation required. It offers a generous Cashback Match® at the end of the first year, effectively doubling everything you’ve earned. Plus, you can qualify for the card with no credit score or banking relationship requirement. No annual fee makes it easy for students or newcomers to dip their toes into credit card rewards without extra cost.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: If you already have at least a good credit score, the no-annual-fee Freedom Unlimited could be a better pick. New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, and take advantage of a 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.74% – 28.24% Variable. With an earning rate of at least 1.5% cash back on purchases, this card keeps it simple and rewarding.