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You are wondering if the Chase Slate Edge℠ or one of the Sapphire Cards (the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®) is a better credit card for your current spending habits and credit score goals. All of these cards offer distinctly different benefits. Therefore, one can be more beneficial with affording purchases and improving your lifestyle than the other options.
The information for the Chase Slate Edge℠ has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Slate or Sapphire: Which is better?
Let’s review to help decide between the Chase Slate or Sapphire cards.
Chase Sapphire Cards
There are two versions of the Chase Sapphire, which are the best Chase travel credit cards for many thanks to its various benefits and redemption options.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn up to 5x Ultimate Rewards on purchases, a 25% travel redemption bonus through Chase Travel℠, 1:1 point transfers, an annual $50 hotel statement credit, $95 annual fee. Find out more with our Chase Sapphire Preferred review.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards on purchases, a 50% travel redemption bonus through Chase Travel℠, 1:1 point transfers, annual $300 travel credit, airport lounge access, $550 annual fee (plus $75 per authorized user). Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review for more.
This Slate vs. Sapphire credit card comparison focuses mostly on the award-winning Sapphire Preferred as it has a $95 annual fee and can be easier to qualify for. It’s also a better alternative to the Chase Slate Edge for these reasons.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Sapphire Reserve Review
What is the Chase Slate Edge?
The Chase Slate Edge℠ is a balance transfer credit card with opportunities to reduce your credit card APR with on-time payments.
Cardholders can lower their interest rate by 2% each year. Then, they’ll automatically be considered for an APR reduction when they pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on their card by their next account anniversary.
This card doesn’t have an annual fee or earn purchase rewards, but it’s excellent for getting a fresh start and saving a small fortune in interest charges.
Related: Chase Slate Edge Review
Introductory APR
Go with the Chase Slate Edge if you need a 0% introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers as the Chase Sapphire doesn’t give you a break on interest rates. Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from Chase Slate Edge℠ account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
A one-time balance transfer fee is either $5 or 3% (whichever is greater) during the first 60 days and $5 or 5% after this initial transfer window ends.
Additionally, Slate Edge offers a 0% introductory monthly fee on My Chase Plan installments during the 0% intro APR period. That’s the first 18 months from account opening.
Related: The Credit Cards for Balance Transfer To Pay Down Debt
Signup Bonus
The Slate Edge doesn’t offer a signup bonus nor earn rewards points on purchases, for that matter. So, you will need a Chase Sapphire card to earn a credit card signup bonus.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card signup bonus is 60,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The same bonus is available for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®: earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
This points balance is worth $600 in cash back with both cards, but the real value boils down to booking award travel. It’s worth $750 for the Sapphire Preferred (thanks to a 25% redemption bonus) and $900 for the Sapphire Reserve (thanks to a 50% redemption bonus) when booking award trips through the Chase travel portal.
Related: Is There a Better Credit Card Than the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Chase Slate or Sapphire: Rewards Program
The Slate Edge and Sapphire Preferred offer different approaches to maximizing your spending power. Do you want to earn credit card points or pay less interest?
Chase Sapphire Preferred Rewards Program
Chase Sapphire Preferred card purchases earn up to 5x Ultimate Rewards:
- 5x on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards (excluding the $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel statement credit)
- 2x on all remaining travel purchases
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services
- 3x on most online grocery store orders and select streaming services
- 1x on all remaining purchases
Earning rewards points is an excellent start, but these other noteworthy benefits help make the Sapphire Preferred a desirable rewards credit card:
- Annual $50 statement credit each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 25% redemption bonus (each point is worth 1.25 cents) when booking award travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 1:1 point transfers
- Account anniversary of bonus points equal to 10% of yearly card spend
- Complimentary travel insurance and trip protection benefits
Related: How Much Income Do I Need For The Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Chase Slate Edge Rewards Program
The Chase Slate Edge doesn’t earn rewards points, but you can pay notably less interest than you currently do with an existing credit card. In turn, the interest savings can be more valuable than the cash back or travel rewards redemption value.
In addition to the 0% introductory APR, you can enjoy these perks:
- Lower APR by 2%: Be automatically considered for a credit card interest rate reduction of up to 2% when you pay on time and spend at least $1,000 by your next card anniversary. The lowest possible APR is the current Prime Rate plus 9.74%.
- Credit limit increases: Potentially increase your credit limit automatically when you spend at least $500 within the first 6 months.
- Free credit score tracker: Monitor your credit score for free with Chase Credit Journey.
Related: Do You Pay Interest On Credit Cards When You Pay Your Balance in Full?
Minimum Credit Score
Both credit cards require a good or excellent credit score to qualify. We recommend a score above 700 to have the best approval odds as you’re firmly within the good credit range.
Along with a qualifying credit score, both credit card families appear to be subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. You may need to wait several months before applying if you have opened at least 5 new credit cards within the last 24 months.
When the Chase Slate Edge is Better Than Sapphire
Get the Chase Slate Edge℠ when you need interest-free financing for upcoming purchases or to pay off credit card debt. It can also be a good option when you desire no annual fee, but there are better long-term solutions that let you earn points once the 0% introductory APR time ends.
Here is the credit card strategy for myvelolife who currently has a Chase Slate and plans on getting the Sapphire Preferred later on. “The Chase Sapphire Preferred seems to be a decent low-fee travel and rewards earning card. The Slate Edge’s main benefit is that your APR can drop automatically every year. (I have the Slate and will likely close it in the coming months after I transfer my CL from it to my Chase Freedom Unlimited).”
Related: Keep Tabs On Your Credit Health With The Chase Slate Edge
When the Chase Sapphire is Better than the Slate Edge?
Only consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® when you want a credit card with travel benefits. You won’t get an introductory APR, and you pay an annual fee from the get-go, but you can save money on trips when you pay your balance in full each month.
The numerous benefits and above-average redemption options make the Chase Sapphire brand two of the best travel cards.
Related: Guide To Chase Sapphire Reserve & Preferred Application Rules
Summary
In conclusion, is the Chase Slate or Sapphire better? There are clear differences between each card. Simply put, the Sapphire is ideal for award travel, and the Slate Edge is better for 0% APR credit card interest. Whichever you apply for, both are in some of the best Chase card families.
