Chase freedom vs american express blue cash

The main difference between the Chase Freedom Flex℠ by Mastercard and the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is the raw cashback rate on select categories. With the Freedom Flex, you earn up to 5% back. Some of the accelerated rewards categories rotate each quarter, and some apply year-round. On the other hand, the Blue Cash Everyday only earns up to 3% back in select categories.

	Chase Freedom Flex℠ Terms apply, see rates & fees	Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Terms apply, see rates & fees
Finder rating
Finder rating	★★★★★ 4.7 / 5.0	★★★★★ 4.6 / 5.0
Best for
Best for	Long intro APR period and cash back in rotating categories	Cash back on U.S. groceries and gas
Welcome offer
Welcome offer	$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months	Up to $250: Up to $150 back by earning 20% as statement credit on PayPal purchases in the first 6 months, plus $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months
Rewards
Rewards	5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, 1% cash back on all other purchases.	3% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%; 3% on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%; 3% at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%
Purchase APR
Purchase APR	0% intro APR for 15 months, and then 17.99% to 26.74% variable	0% intro APR for 15 months, and then 16.99% to 27.99% variable
Annual fee
Annual fee	$0	$0
Balance transfer APR
Balance transfer APR	0% intro APR for 15 months (then 17.99% to 26.74%) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days variable	0% intro APR for 15 months (then 16.99% to 27.99%) Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. variable
Cash advance
Cash advance	APR: 27.99% variable Fee: $10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater	APR: 28.24% variable Fee: $10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
Foreign transaction fee	3% of each transaction	2.7% of each transaction
Late payment fee
Late payment fee	Up to $40	Up to $40
Additional cardholder fee
Additional cardholder fee	$0	$0
Interest-free period
Interest-free period	21 days	25 days
Minimum interest
Minimum interest	$0	$0
Minimum credit score
Minimum credit score	670	670
Card type
Card type	Credit	Credit
Learn more
Learn more	Read review

It’s important to understand the rewards structure of each card as rewards are the single most important factor needed to decide between them.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ rewards

These are the rewards for the Chase Freedom Flex℠:

• 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1% after that
• 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022
• 5% back on travel purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• % back at drugstores
• 3% back at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express rewards

These are the rewards for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express:

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases. The 3% cash back in each of these categories applies on the first $6,000 spent in that category each year. After you meet the cap, you’ll earn 1% on eligible purchases.
• 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.

You earn the cash back in reward dollars, which you can redeem for statement credit.

The cards are relatively similar in other respects, though they still have differences.

Annual and foreign transaction fees.

You won’t pay an annual fee with either card.

However, both cards charge foreign transaction fees. Chase’s card has a 3% fee and Amex’s has a 2.7% fee. If you’ll be traveling abroad, pick up a no foreign transaction fee card.

• Winner: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Welcome offer

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a $200 signup bonus after you spend $500 within the first 3 months. You’ll also earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to spent in the first year. This does not include Walmart or Target. While the Amex card earns more up front with its offer, it can’t match the potential value of the Flex’s bonus to grocery rewards.

• Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Intro APR

Both cards offer an intro APR of the same length on purchases. Each offers similar ongoing APRs, though you may receive a lower APR with the Amex card. At the time of this writing, neither offer an intro APR on balance transfers.

Keep in mind that scoring the lowest APR likely requires an excellent credit score.

• Winner: Tie

Interest grace period

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ has a 21-day grace period, while the Amex card has a 25-day grace period. This might be significant if you typically need a few more days to pay your bill each month before accruing interest.

• Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Penalty APR

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ doesn’t have a penalty APR. Meanwhile, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has a 29.99% variable penalty APR that may be assessed if you make a late or returned payment.

• Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠

There’s no doubt about it — the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a way more rewarding option than the Blue Cash Everyday Card. In fact, there’s not a single segment where the Blue Cash Everyday beats the Freedom Flex to make it the better choice.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is already rewarding enough on its own. But to maximize the rewards, consider adding the Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Reserve® to your wallet to make the Chase trifecta combo.

But if none of these cards seem appealing enough, compare other cashback cards.

Are there other rotating-cashback cards?
Yes. You’ll find a small selection of rotating cashback cards from other providers such as Discover.

Why should I consider a flat-rate cashback card?
With this type of card, you don’t have to worry about different bonus categories. You can use the card for every purchase and earn a solid cashback rate.

Should I pay an annual fee for a cashback card?
Many people will do just fine with a no-annual-fee cashback card. However, if you have a high volume of spending, you might earn enough rewards to make an annual-fee card worth it.

Who is better Amex or Chase?

Is the Amex Blue cash worth it?

Is Amex Blue cash hard to get?

Why is Chase better than American Express?