Chase Slate Credit Card Review: Get More Time To Pay Down Debt
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Written by
Rebecca Lake
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Edited by
Jasmin Baron, CCC™
The Chase Slate® offers a low introductory annual percentage rate with a long term, making it one of the best low-APR credit cards on the market. If you’re planning to consolidate debt or make a large purchase, the Chase Slate can help you save money on interest while paying no annual fee.
However, the card has drawbacks — mainly, it doesn’t offer a welcome bonus or earn rewards on purchases, and beyond the intro APR period, it offers a handful of additional benefits. Here’s what to know about the Chase Slate Card to help you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
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Purchase and Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 21 Months, then 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
Intro Bonus
N/A
Cash Back
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
Annual Fee
$0
CardCritics™ Opinion
The Chase Slate Credit Card is suited for debt consolidation, thanks to its introductory APR period. If approved, you’ll receive a 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 21 Months, then 18.24% – 28.24% Variable. That’s excellent compared to the 12- to 15-month range that’s typical of other cards. As one of the best balance transfer credit cards, it gives you more time to benefit from lower rates while charging minimal fees.
Our Critical Analysis:
Chase Slate®
- Lengthy introductory APR period for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee, overlimit fees or returned check fees
- Zero liability protection ensures that you’re not held responsible for fraudulent charges
- Built-in benefits include travel and purchase protection, Chase Offers and access to Chase Credit Journey
PROS
- No rewards program
- Balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the transfer amount applies
- No introductory welcome bonus offer
- 3% foreign transaction fee applies to international purchases
CONS
Chase Slate Benefits
Extended Introductory APR Period
The Chase Slate offers one of the longest introductory APR periods of any credit card, giving cardholders 21 months to enjoy no interest charges. This applies to both balance transfers and purchases. Once the introductory period ends, a regular APR of 18.24% – 28.24% Variable applies.
It’s not unusual to get a shorter interest-free period with other 0% APR credit cards. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, which consistently ranks among the best Chase credit cards, has a significantly shorter period: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.24% – 27.74% Variable.
As someone who holds both cards, I would make Chase Slate my go-to choice for a balance transfer. The Freedom Unlimited has a slightly lower balance transfer fee, but I’d value the Slate Card’s longer introductory rate period more, especially if I had a larger balance to pay down.
No Annual Fee
The Chase Slate has no annual fee, which is another money-saving benefit. There are other fees associated with this card, including balance transfer fees, but you won’t have to pay a premium just to have an account.
When is it worth paying an annual fee for a credit card? In my experience, it only makes sense when you’re earning enough rewards or enjoying other perks to justify the fee.
I prefer to stick with no-annual-fee credit cards like Slate since I value simplicity. If you’re a frequent traveler or regularly charge all your expenses each month, you may benefit more from a card with an annual fee if it also offers a robust rewards program.
Chase Benefits
The Chase Slate Card offers a number of benefits, beyond the intro APR period. They include:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Zero liability protection
- Auto rental coverage
- Roadside assistance
- 24/7 fraud monitoring
- Chase Offers
- Chase Credit Journey
- Pay Over Time
You don’t get as many bells and whistles as you might with a premium rewards credit card. However, it’s nice to know these protections are there if you need them. For example, if you’re like me and keep close tabs on your credit, you might appreciate getting customized advice on how to improve your scores through Credit Journey.
Chase Slate Drawbacks
No Rewards Program
Chase offers some excellent rewards cards for travel and everyday spending, but the Slate Card isn’t among them. You won’t earn cash back, points or miles with this credit card when you spend.
Whether that matters to you depends on your reasons for opening an account. If you’re primarily interested in getting the longest introductory rate period possible for balance transfers and purchases, then the Slate Card delivers.
Balance Transfer Fee Applies
A balance transfer could save money on interest, but balance transfer fees add to the total you have to repay. The Chase Slate Credit Card charges a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater. So, if you’re transferring a $10,000 balance, you’ll pay a $500 fee.
It’s possible to find balance transfer cards that waive this fee. Typically, you must complete the transfer within the first three to six months after account opening to qualify. However, skipping a balance transfer fee may mean accepting a shorter 0% APR period.
No Welcome Bonus
Earning a welcome bonus is a nice incentive to choose one credit card over another. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a $200 introductory bonus after you spend $500 on qualifying purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Since the Chase Slate isn’t a rewards card and the primary benefit is the extended 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 21 Months, then 18.24% – 28.24% Variable, there’s no welcome bonus to take advantage of. Again, whether that matters to you depends on your reasons for opening an account.
Who Is the Chase Slate Card Best For?
The Chase Slate Card is right for people who want to transfer balances to consolidate debt, or plan to make large purchases that they need more time to pay off interest-free. This card is also suited to people looking for a no-frills credit card with no annual fee and added shopping and travel protections.
Keep in mind that Chase limits who can apply for this card. Here’s what the fine print says:
This credit card is available to you if you do not have this card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months.
That means if you already have a Slate Card, you won’t be able to open a second account to take advantage of the current introductory APR offer.
Is It the Right Card for You?
If you’re in the market for a long interest-free balance transfer card, here are a few things to consider to decide if the Chase Slate is a good fit:
- How long do you anticipate it will take you to pay off the balance?
- Are you comfortable paying a balance transfer fee?
- Will you use the card to make purchases, and if so, will you be able to pay them off before the promotional rate period ends?
- How often will you use the card after the introductory rate expires?
Alternatives to the Chase Slate Credit Card
The Chase Slate Card is just one option if you’re looking for a long interest-free period. Here are two other cards you might consider to meet your needs.
- Citi Simplicity® Card: The Citi Simplicity Card, an advertising partner, offers a 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.49% – 28.24% (Variable). There are no annual fees, late fees or penalty rates associated with this card. Like the Chase Slate, there is no rewards program and no introductory bonus. If you transfer a balance within the first four months of account opening, you’ll pay a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater. After that, the fee increases to $5 or 5% of the amount transferred.
- U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card: The U.S. Bank Shield Card offers an industry-leading 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 24 billing cycles. After that the APR is variable, currently 17.24%-28.24%. Like the Chase Slate, it has no annual fee. This card also offers a unique feature — you can earn 4% back on air, hotel, and car reservations booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center. You’ll also get a $20 annual statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases. The balance transfer fee is the same as Chase Slate: $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.
Card Details From Chase
- 0% Intro Offer- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% – 28.24% thereafter
- No Annual Fee- You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Card
- Zero Liability Protection & Fraud Protection – You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card. We help safeguard your credit card purchases using sophisticated fraud monitoring. We monitor for fraud 24/7 and can text, email or call you if there are unusual purchases on your credit card.
- Chase Pay Over Time- Access more options to pay over time for eligible purchases made with your participating Chase credit card. With Pay Over Time, you can break up eligible purchases you’ve already made
- Get more purchasing power: Chase Slate® cardmembers may be eligible for a credit limit increase in as few as six months.
- Stay protected with purchase & travel benefits – Enjoy peace of mind with purchase protection, which safeguards your eligible new items against damage or theft for 120 days from the date of purchase, up to $500 per item. Plus, extended warranty protection adds an extra year to U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less, giving you up to four full years of coverage from the date of purchase
- Credit Journey: Access your credit score, receive customized score improvement plans from Experian™, and benefit from identity monitoring—all for free with Chase Credit Journey®
- Member FDIC
How Does the Chase Slate Card Stack Up Against Competitors?
Here’s a closer look at how Chase Slate compares to the Citi Simplicity Card and the U.S. Bank Shield Card.
| Chase Slate Card | Citi Simplicity Card | U.S. Bank Shield Card | |
| Welcome Bonus | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| APR | 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 21 Months, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable | 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable) | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 24 billing cycles. After that the APR is variable, currently 17.24%-28.24%. |
| Rewards Rate | N/A | N/A | 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked in the U.S. Bank Travel Rewards Center. |
| Standout Feature | Long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers | No late fees or penalty rates | Ultra-long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers |
The information related to the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card and Chase Freedom Flex® was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Chase Slate Credit Card
Where is the Chase Slate Card accepted?
The Chase Slate Credit Card is accepted anywhere that Visa is accepted. The card is compatible with chip-and-pin payment processors, and you can also tap to pay at checkout.
Is a Chase Slate Card hard to get?
Like other Chase credit cards, the Slate Card generally requires good to excellent credit to qualify. You may be denied this card due to poor credit or because you already have an active Slate Card account.
What are the Chase Slate credit limits?
Chase Slate credit limits depend on several factors, including your credit scores and previous history as a Chase customer. If you’re new to Chase and have a lower credit score, you may start with a limit of $500 to $1,000. Chase will periodically review your account history every six months to determine whether to offer you an increased credit limit.
What’s the difference between Chase Slate and Slate Edge?
The Chase Slate offers a 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 21 Months, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable with no annual fee. The Chase Slate Edge℠ (no longer available to new applicants) was designed to help people build a positive credit history while enjoying more purchase power.
Which Chase credit card is better, Slate or Freedom?
If you’re interested in a long interest-free period for purchases or balance transfers, the Chase Slate is the better credit card. On the other hand, if you’d like to earn rewards on purchases and unlock additional card benefits, then the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex® has the upper hand. Both offer the benefit of no annual fee.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.
