Comments on: Chase Freedom Plus – received first statement

By: jackelope

jackelope — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:35:50 +0000

There was one page (and I think only that page) that provided the Freedom Plus until literally yesterday. Chase then yanked that entry and replaced it with their Disney card.

There is always a chance that calling up Chase directly and applying for it over the phone may do the trick. Otherwise, inquire about becoming a Freedom cardholder if they say “Yes, the Plus card we make available six months after you prove how well you can give us money.” and you really want it.

As long as the rewards program doesn’t change terms too much, the Plus is well worth seeking. Of course, all of us Plus holders might well find the terms changed for the worse before too much longer anyway. Kind of a shame, but those are the economic breaks.

By: Carter

Carter — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:59:05 +0000

How do I apply for this card? Is it discontinued?

By: Hemi

Hemi — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:41:52 +0000

I have used debit cards for all my transactions for years too. However, in the past six months after getting the Chase Freedom Plus card I have only put about $75 on my debit card. I ran $40,000 a year through debit but by spending the amount and merely changing the card I put it on I will make about $750 per year. Just before my statement cuts I just transfer from savings and pay the card off in full. If you put your debit card away and start using the Freedom card I think you will be pleased with the result.

The Freedom Plus does indeed have a $30 annual fee, but if you use it for all your purchases it will more than pay for itself.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:40:20 +0000

We just got our Chase Freedom cards in the mail this week. We had the 1% cash back on every purchase cards, but decided to upgrade. I was told by the customer service rep at the bank that these had NO ANNUAL FEE, but I see from this forum that it is only waived the first year.

Also, we only use our cards for travel expenses, vacations and large purchases. We debit all of our day-to-day items. So I am thinking this card may not have been such a good idea after all.

By: jackelope

jackelope — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:15:26 +0000

Run the calculators even to the maximum on the Amex website for the Blue Cash (https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=bluecash.maximize&intlink=bluecashcalc_CCBenUnlmtdCashBack), and you’ll see that the rewards overall there still don’t top the Freedom Plus because of three things: (1) Amex gives those extra 5%/1.5% rebates only annually, (2) The 5% is for gas, groceries, and drugs only (no Walmart-like shops just like Freedom), (3) Amex doesn’t offer $50 free cash back when $200 is saved up.

I ran my first year Plus spending (~$45k) through the Amex calculator as follows.
General: $3400/mo
Gas: $90/mo
Groceries: $250/mo
Drugs: $10/mo
==> Cash back = $739.

Freedom Plus with the cash back option would yield $634/yr with the same inputs, leaving a true $604 left with the annual fee accounted for. However, that’s without the top other 4 categories/mo. getting the bouns 2% rebate. With those other categories folded in, my total cash back rose to $705, which would yield $855 when redeemed.

So, it can be hard to determine which exactly is better, but for my spending, the Freedom Plus still wins. On top of that, it’s a World Mastercard at a fixed 10% APR. Amex cannot claim as extensive a network nor as good an APR. Benefits are probably similar enough, though.

Hope that helps.

By: TheRevRuss

TheRevRuss — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:14:42 +0000

Just a minor correction (and feel free to add it to the comment already in moderation) but it’s the Chase Freedom Plus MC we now have – not just the regular Freedom card.

By: TheRevRuss

TheRevRuss — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:13:47 +0000

Thanks for the information on this. We recently signed up for the Chase Freedom MC and are planning to use it exclusively as it is accepted at Sam’s (where we do a good portion of shopping) and it gives 3% back on phone/cell phone bills. I saw it mentioned here, but since this post is several months old, I’m wondering if anyone has had any experience to show whether this card is better than the Amex Blue Cash card in terms of total rewards potential? It’s so hard to determine easily with their graduated scale of 1% & .5% jumping to %5 & 1.5% after $6500. Any thoughts or advice out there?

By: RPW

RPW — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:37:59 +0000

Note the T & Cs of the card state:

“We can credit your account the yearly Program fee, if requested within 30 days of billing.”

I interprete this to say they’ll wave the annual fee (which again is automatically waived the 1st year) if you call and ask them.

By: jackelope

jackelope — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:24:09 +0000

Since I signed up for a Freedom World card last year (switching from cash to points in month 1), it’s been an exceptional product. I was intriuged by the notion of the Plus card, but a $30 annual rewards program fee to eliminate the 1200 point cap isn’t a bad tradeoff in my estimation. If they can match a fixed 10% APR or allow existing accounts to transfer despite that being a move from World Mastercard to Visa Signature, that would be enough to give it serious consideration.

By: michael reilly

michael reilly — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:46:24 +0000

if i spend at least 6,000 dollors a year is the chase freedom plus card a good card.if i spend 300 on food and 200 on gas for one month how much cash do i earn in cash.thanks