Key Points

• The Chase Freedom Rise is the best no-deposit credit card for building credit, earning unlimited 1.5% cash back with no annual fee and no security deposit required.
• It's best for anyone starting from scratch who wants to enter the Chase ecosystem and eventually unlock travel rewards with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
• The upgrade path to the Chase Freedom Unlimited requires no new hard inquiry, making this card a smart first step rather than a dead end.

Starting your credit journey is a little like being new to a city. You don't know the best routes yet, everything takes a bit longer, and the premium options aren't available to you. But the right first move sets you up for everything that comes next. The Chase Freedom Rise is that first move.

What makes this card stand out isn't just that it's beginner-friendly. It's that Chase designed it as the entry point to an entire credit card ecosystem, one that eventually leads to some of the best travel rewards cards available. If you're starting with limited or no credit history, there's no better card to put in your wallet first.

This review covers everything: how the card works, the concrete steps to maximize your approval odds, what 1.5% cash back is actually worth, and the roadmap from here to travel rewards cards that can pay for business-class flights. Let's get into it.

Quick Summary

The Chase Freedom Rise is best suited for people with no or limited credit history. It charges no annual fee, requires no security deposit, and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The current welcome offer is a $25 statement credit for enrolling in automatic payments within the first three months and staying enrolled for at least 90 days. The main drawback to know upfront: it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so leave it at home when traveling internationally.

Chase Freedom Rise Overview

The Chase Freedom Rise is Chase's dedicated credit-building card. It's unsecured, meaning you don't have to put down a security deposit to open it. It has no annual fee. And it earns real cash back: unlimited 1.5% on every purchase, with no categories to track and no quarterly activations to remember.

During your first six months, dining earns 3% back on up to $6,000 in spending, which adds a nice accelerator for restaurant visits, takeout, and delivery. After that window closes, the flat 1.5% takes over for everything.

The card earns rewards through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the same points currency used by the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Without one of those premium cards, you'll redeem your earnings as cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or travel booked through Chase. But that connection to Ultimate Rewards is the important long-term detail, and we'll cover exactly why in the upgrade section below.

The welcome offer is modest: a $25 statement credit when you enroll in autopay within the first three months and remain enrolled for at least 90 days. That's not a flashy bonus, but it's actually smart design. It rewards you for building the single most important credit habit there is.

How to Maximize Your Approval Odds

This is where most reviews leave you hanging. The Freedom Rise is designed for limited credit history, but Chase doesn't approve everyone who applies. Here's what actually moves the needle.

Chase has publicly noted that applicants who hold a qualifying Chase checking or savings account with at least $250 on deposit have better approval odds. This isn't a soft tip. It's Chase acknowledging that an existing banking relationship is a meaningful factor when evaluating someone without much credit history.

If you don't already have a Chase checking account, opening one before you apply is the single highest-leverage thing you can do. Deposit $250, let it sit for a few weeks, then apply for the Freedom Rise. That $250 stays in your checking account; you're not putting down a secured card deposit. You're simply showing Chase you're a real customer with a real banking relationship.

Beyond the checking account strategy, keep these factors in mind. Pay any existing bills on time. Keep your overall debt low. Don't apply for multiple cards in a short window. If you have a thin credit file, consider becoming an authorized user on a family member's card for a few months before applying, as that history can show up on your report.

For readers wondering about the Chase 5/24 rule: the Freedom Rise does count toward your 5/24 slot. For most people starting their credit journey, this isn't a concern yet. But if you're a more experienced points collector who is strategically rebuilding, it's worth knowing.

Earning and Redeeming Cash Back

The earning structure on the Freedom Rise is refreshingly simple. You earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with a 3% dining bonus for the first six months (capped at $6,000 in dining spend during that window).

Let's put some real numbers to it. If you spend $1,000 per month on everyday purchases, you'll earn roughly $180 in cash back over your first year at the 1.5% base rate. Factor in the dining bonus during the first six months and that number climbs if restaurants are a meaningful part of your spending. For a card that's primarily designed to help you build credit, that's genuinely decent value.

Redemption options include cash back deposits, statement credits, gift cards from major retailers, and travel booked through Chase. Cash back and statement credits are the simplest options and generally offer the most transparent value.

One thing to understand: these rewards accumulate as Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth one cent each in cash back mode. Once you eventually upgrade or add a premium Chase card to your wallet, those points become transferable to airline and hotel partners, where they can be worth two to three cents or more per point. Your Freedom Rise earnings from Year 1 don't disappear. They grow in value as your card portfolio grows.

The Upgrade Path (This Is the Real Value)

Here's what separates this review from most. The Chase Freedom Rise isn't just a credit-building card. It's Step 1 of a multi-year strategy that can eventually get you into business class for almost nothing.

Chase reviews Freedom Rise accounts on the anniversary date and determines whether cardholders are eligible to upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited. No new application. No hard inquiry on your credit report. Chase simply upgrades the account if your history supports it.

The Freedom Unlimited is a meaningfully stronger card. It earns 3% on dining, 3% at drugstores, 5% on travel booked through Chase, and 1.5% on everything else, all with no annual fee. The upgrade from Freedom Rise to Freedom Unlimited is one of the best free card upgrades available right now, because you keep your account age, your credit limit, and your accumulated Ultimate Rewards points.

From there, once your credit score has climbed into the good-to-excellent range (generally 700 or above), the Chase Sapphire Preferred opens up. That's the card that unlocks transfer partners: United, Hyatt, Southwest, British Airways, Air France/KLM, and more. The points you earned with your Freedom Rise, now sitting in your Chase account, become transferable to those programs. To understand what you can do once you get there, read our guide on how to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel.

That progression, from Freedom Rise to Freedom Unlimited to Sapphire Preferred, is the Chase trifecta entry path. It's one of the most valuable sequences in personal finance for anyone who wants to eventually travel well on a real budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• No annual fee, ever
• No security deposit required
• Earns real cash back from day one
• Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem
• Upgrade path to Freedom Unlimited with no hard inquiry
• Chase checking account strategy meaningfully improves approval odds
• $25 autopay bonus incentivizes good habits
• Six-month dining bonus accelerates early earning

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee makes it unusable abroad
• 1.5% base rate trails some competitors long-term
• $25 welcome offer is small compared to other cards
• No meaningful travel or purchase protections
• Counts as a 5/24 slot for future Chase applications
• Limited long-term value without upgrading

How the Chase Freedom Rise Compares

Three cards come up most often alongside the Freedom Rise. Here's the honest take on each.

Chase Freedom Rise vs. Capital One Quicksilver Secured

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured requires a minimum $200 security deposit, but that deposit becomes your credit limit and can be refunded after demonstrating responsible use. It earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, matching the Freedom Rise's base rate. If you can't get approved for the Freedom Rise even with the Chase checking account strategy, the Quicksilver Secured is the best alternative. But if you can get the Freedom Rise, the lack of a deposit requirement and the Chase ecosystem access make it the stronger long-term choice.

Chase Freedom Rise vs. Capital One Platinum

The Capital One Platinum is a no-frills card with no rewards program. It exists purely to build credit. The Freedom Rise gives you the same credit-building function plus cash back rewards plus a path into a premium ecosystem. There's no reason to choose the Platinum over the Freedom Rise unless you fail to get approved for the latter.

Chase Freedom Rise vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better card if you can qualify. It earns more in key categories and comes with a stronger welcome bonus. But it typically requires a stronger credit profile, generally 670 or above, and a more established history. If you're just starting out and can't get the Freedom Unlimited, the Freedom Rise is the direct stepping stone to it. Many people should plan from day one to upgrade to the Freedom Unlimited after their first year.

Chase Freedom Rise vs. Chase Freedom Flex

The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% in rotating quarterly categories and has bonus rates on dining and drugstores. It's a great card, but it's not designed for people building credit from scratch. Application requirements are more demanding, and the rotating category system can be confusing for someone still getting comfortable using a card responsibly. The Freedom Rise comes first; the Freedom Flex can come later.

Who Should Get the Chase Freedom Rise

The Freedom Rise is a strong fit for anyone with limited or no credit history who wants to start building it while earning rewards. It's particularly well-suited for recent graduates, young adults getting their first card, immigrants establishing a U.S. credit profile, and anyone who doesn't have the history to qualify for a more rewarding card yet.

It's also the right call if you're specifically interested in the Chase ecosystem. If your end goal is a Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, starting with the Freedom Rise and upgrading to the Freedom Unlimited means you build Chase history, accumulate Ultimate Rewards points, and enter the Sapphire family with a head start. For a deeper look at where you're headed, see our piece on which Chase credit card you should get first.

The Freedom Rise is less compelling if you already have decent credit (670+), because the Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex would serve you better. It's also not the right card for international travel given the 3% foreign transaction fee.

Is the Chase Freedom Rise Worth It?

For the right person, the Chase Freedom Rise is absolutely worth it. There's no annual fee to justify, no deposit to lock up, and no complicated category structure to learn. You spend money, you earn 1.5% back, and you build credit. The barriers to entry are about as low as they get for an unsecured card from a major issuer.

The bigger picture is what makes this card genuinely exciting. It's not just a cash back card. It's your ticket into the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Every dollar you spend earns points that will become much more valuable once you hold a Sapphire card. People who understand that travel with points is about playing the long game will see the Freedom Rise for what it is: not a destination, but a very smart starting line.

If you're ready to start, open a Chase checking account with $250 first, then apply for the Chase Freedom Rise. Make every payment on time, keep your balance low, and revisit your options at the one-year mark. The upgrade to the Freedom Unlimited and eventually the Sapphire Preferred will follow naturally from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for the Chase Freedom Rise?

Chase doesn't publish a minimum credit score requirement, and the card is designed for people with limited or no credit history. Having an existing Chase checking or savings account with at least $250 on deposit meaningfully improves your approval odds. If you have a thin file or no history at all, that checking account strategy is your most reliable lever to pull before applying.

Does the Chase Freedom Rise help build credit?

Yes. Chase reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) every month. Using the card regularly, keeping your utilization under 30% of your credit limit, and paying on time every month will build a positive credit history. The $25 autopay bonus is deliberately designed to reward the habit that matters most for your score.

Can I upgrade the Chase Freedom Rise to a Sapphire card?

Chase typically upgrades Freedom Rise accounts to the Chase Freedom Unlimited at the account anniversary, not directly to a Sapphire card. Once your credit profile has strengthened after 18 to 24 months of responsible use, you can apply separately for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. At that point, you can pool your Freedom Rise (or Freedom Unlimited) points with your Sapphire points to access airline and hotel transfer partners.

Does the Chase Freedom Rise count toward Chase 5/24?

Yes, the Freedom Rise counts as one of your five credit card openings under Chase's 5/24 guideline. For most people building credit from scratch, this isn't a concern in the near term. But if you plan to apply for Chase business cards or premium travel cards in the next two years, factor this into your application strategy.

What happens to my Chase Freedom Rise cash back if I upgrade to a Sapphire card?

Your accumulated Ultimate Rewards points don't disappear when you upgrade. Once you hold a Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, you can combine points from all your Chase cards into one account and transfer them to airline and hotel partners. The points you earned at 1.5% cash back become transferable currency worth potentially two to three cents per point when redeemed strategically.

Final Verdict

The Chase Freedom Rise is the best unsecured credit card for building credit that also sets you up for travel rewards. The combination of no annual fee, no security deposit, real cash back earnings, and a clear upgrade path within the Chase ecosystem makes it the obvious first card for anyone starting from scratch. Use the $250 Chase checking account strategy to improve your approval odds, pay on time every month, and treat this card as Step 1 of a longer journey. The upgrade to the Freedom Unlimited and eventually the Sapphire Preferred will open doors that make the rewards game genuinely worth playing. Apply for the Chase Freedom Rise and start building.

This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.