The “Chase Slate” credit card is popping up a lot on the Internet, so I thought I’d take a look at what this new credit card actually offers.
Chase Slate Originally Pitched Blueprint
Originally, the Chase Slate card was branded as a type of credit management card, using Chase’s Blueprint technology, which allowed cardholders to manage financing terms on their own.
Cardholders had the ability to pay certain items (like everyday bills) in full each month, while splitting off more expensive one-off purchases like appliances, TVs, computers, etc.
These high-ticket items could be separated on your statement so you know the associated balance; you could also set a time frame for paying them off by using a goal date or specified monthly payment.
For example, you can could off groceries and gas in full each month, while putting $50 towards your new plasma TV each billing cycle.
The same could be done for you entire account balance; if you want it all paid off by a certain date, Chase would do the math for you to ensure you stay on track.
These features obviously don’t make much sense for the cardholder who makes payments in full each month, and if anything, may promote carrying a balance.
The APR is the same for all purchases so it’s somewhat arbitrary, but I suppose a breakdown of what you owe could motivate cardholders to tackle debt faster and/or make a better plan.
It also provides a daily snapshot of your purchases so you know where you’re spending the most money.
“Chase Blueprint” is available at no charge for all Chase Freedom, Chase Sapphire, Slate from Chase (formerly Chase Platinum), Ink from Chase, and other business cards.
To sum it up, paying credit card debt in full each month is optimal, but this credit card assumes you’ll carry a balance.
If you have trouble managing your debt and must carry a balance, it could be a good option, though you’ll have to compare the APR and associated finance charges with other credit cards as well.
This is probably an effort by Chase to both promote carrying a balance while also pushing the cardholder to pay it down, a tricky endeavor to be sure, but a profitable one assuming it works.
This is still offered, but it’s not the main draw of the Slate cards. It’s the intro APR that you should be looking at!
Chase Slate Offers 0% APR for 15 Months on Purchases & Balance Transfers
Unlike most rewards credit cards, Chase Slate credit card comes with 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which is the main draw of the card.
And it’s the ideal card for transferring balances because there are virtually no fees.
It’s not about earning Ultimate Rewards points or a mega sign-up bonus. It’s geared toward those with outstanding debt who are looking for zero or low APR on balance transfers.
After the initial promotional period, variable APR will apply and can range depending on your level of credit.
Of course, it’s going to be way above zero regardless of your credit score, even if you have excellent credit, so you’ll want all balances paid off by then.
More importantly, there is no annual fee associated with the Chase Slate credit card, and you can execute balance transfers for free!
The only notable charge is a late payment fee. They don’t even charge an over-the-limit fee anymore! So other than paying late, it’s pretty fee-free.
Chase Slate No Fee Balance Transfer!
This is a huge credit card deal, and one of the few places where you can get 0% introductory balance transfer APR with no balance transfer fee.
For a limited time (it’s unknown how long), you can get your hands on a no fee balance transfer credit card via Slate from Chase.
As long as you transfer your existing high-rate balances during the first 60 days your account is open, you will pay NO balance transfer fee! That’s right! Zero dollars to transfer an existing credit card balance.
(After the 60 days are up, the balance transfer fee rises to the a rather high 5% fee for transfers, with a minimum charge of $5.)
However, and this is a big caveat, not all Chase Slate offers are the same. I did a few searches and randomly came up with three different offers, which all came with the same 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, but the fee wasn’t the same.
Beware! Three Different Chase Slate Offers
I actually found three different sets of terms and conditions for Chase Slate, which are listed below. You’ll probably want offer #3.
Offer #1: Intro fee of either $5 or 2% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Offer #2: Intro fee of either $5 or 1% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Offer #3: $0 Intro fee on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
As you can see, only one of the Chase Slate offers actually waives the balance transfer fee. The others offer an introductory balance transfer fee of either 1% or 2%.
While both are lower than the typical industry fee of 3%, they are obviously quite inferior relative to the zero balance transfer offer. So be sure you choose the right link when you apply for Chase Slate, assuming you’re transferring a balance!
If you’ve got high-APR credit card balances, this deal can save you a ton of money on costly credit card finance charges. It’s a great way to get out of debt quickly at the lowest cost, zero.
Quick example to highlight the potential savings of Chase Slate’s No Fee BT offer:
Existing credit card debt: $5,000 @19.99% APR
Balance transfer fee: $0
Balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months
In the first year alone, you’d save roughly $1000, or $83 a month by going with this balance transfer deal. So it’s pretty much a no-brainer if you’ve got existing credit card debt. And there’s no annual fee! Try saving that much by clipping coupons…
If you don’t know what a credit card balance transfer is, learn more about them by clicking the preceding link. They’re simple to execute and can save you a ton of money, while simultaneously getting you out of the credit card debt cycle for good.
Back in the day, I didn’t know what a balance transfer was, and approached them very cautiously. I always figured they were just another scam that credit card issuers tried to force down our collective throats.
But I quickly discovered that it was a great tool to pay off my credit card debt (yes, I racked up a lot of debt after college) and avoid paying interest without any funny business.
Tip: The average credit score approved for the Chase Slate No Fee offer is 730, which is considered great credit. The lowest score approved was 566, all according to stats from Credit Karma. In other words, you’ll want to have good credit prior to applying for this offer.
So there it is. If any other Chase Slate special offers pop up, I will be sure to add them here for all to see. And as noted, navigate the offers carefully because varying pricing and terms apply.
(photo: mikewilson)
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Just moved my high-APR ripoff credit card balance to Slate. I was paying like 22% now I’m paying zero! Woo hoo!
Is this the only no fee option on the market?
Blake,
It’s one of very few and probably the most popular/common no fee offer.