Chase Freedom Flex vs. Discover it Cash Back: Get 5% cash back on rotating categories

While premium travel rewards cards are enticing due to their substantial benefits, don’t overlook reliable rewards cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Discover it® Cash Back, which come with more reasonable perks and no annual fees.

These popular cash-back cards are often better suited for those beginning to build their credit, offering excellent earning potential, a solid return on daily expenses, and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for added flexibility.

These two cards are particularly comparable, featuring similar earning structures, a recommended 'good' credit score, and various benefits. Here’s a brief overview of how they measure up against each other.

The information regarding the Discover it Cash Back has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Comparison of Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it Cash Back

Welcome offers for Freedom Flex vs. Discover it

Currently, the Freedom Flex provides $200 cash back after you spend $500 within the first three months of opening your account.

On the other hand, the Discover it will double the cash back earned on all purchases made in your first year with the card, effectively enhancing the earning potential for the initial 12 months.

This means that if you earn more than $200 cash back with the Discover it card in your first year—which is quite achievable with its 5% rotating bonus categories—its welcome offer surpasses that of the Freedom Flex.

Winner: Discover it. Its welcome offer holds significantly greater value.

Benefits of Freedom Flex vs. Discover it

The Freedom Flex card provides several standard perks for a no-annual-fee card, such as cellphone protection, shopping safeguards, and insurance for trip cancellations and interruptions. Additionally, cardholders who activate by December 31 will receive three months of free DashPass with DoorDash, which includes free delivery on eligible orders and reduced service fees.

The Discover it card offers fewer benefits overall. However, it still provides features such as online privacy protection, a $0 fraud liability guarantee, and free alerts for your Social Security number if it appears on a dark web site.

Winner: Freedom Flex. Its benefits take the lead in this comparison.

Cash back earning potential: Freedom Flex vs. Discover it

The Freedom Flex offers the following earning bonuses:

• 5% cash back on the first $1,500 spent in rotating categories each quarter (activation needed)
• 5% on Lyft rides (available through March 2025)
• 5% on travel booked via Chase Travel
• 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
• 3% on purchases at drugstores
• 1% on all other purchases

These earning categories are impressive for any card, especially for one without an annual fee. The rotating categories shift every quarter and have previously featured Walmart, gas stations, and PayPal purchases.

The Discover it also features a rotating 5% bonus category with a quarterly calendar, though it lacks the additional attractive earning rates found with the Freedom Flex.

Winner: Freedom Flex. Its earning rates offer greater value.

Comparing cash back redemption: Freedom Flex vs. Discover it

This is where the two cards can differ significantly. The Discover it Cash Back card is straightforward as a cash-back credit card. Each point you earn is worth 1 cent toward statement credits on purchases, gift cards, charitable donations, or deposits into a linked bank account.

In theory, the points earned with the Chase Freedom Flex are also valued at 1 cent each for statement credits, travel booked through Chase, gift cards, and direct deposits into U.S. bank accounts, although they may be worth slightly less for Amazon.com purchases and Chase Pay redemptions.

However, if you have another card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, you can merge the points from your Freedom Flex with those from your other accounts, allowing for transfers to the program’s airline and hotel partners.

Winner: Freedom Flex. It offers more valuable redemption options.

Transferring cash back: Freedom Flex vs. Discover it

Converting your Freedom Flex rewards enhances the value of your points for direct travel redemptions through the Chase Travel portal. Instead of being worth 1 cent per point, you can potentially unlock a value of 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point (depending on the other card you hold). This could increase your rate of return by 25 to 50%.

Some of the top Chase transfer partners include Hyatt, United, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines, perfect for luxury hotels or flights.

TPG's content director, Summer Hull, prefers to transfer her points to World of Hyatt to book stays at resorts or urban properties that would usually exceed her budget. Regardless of how you utilize your rewards, Chase's partner list offers some excellent transfer options.

Winner: Freedom Flex. It offers superior transfer options.

Should I choose Freedom Flex or Discover it?

The Chase Freedom Flex is ideal for frequent travelers who want to enhance their points accumulation. Its advantage lies in the flexibility of point redemptions, especially if you hold another Chase Ultimate Rewards card. Conversely, if you’re new to credit and seek a straightforward, no-fee card that offers a solid return and won’t penalize you for late payments as you get started, the Discover it® Cash Back is also a fantastic option.

In summary

With valuable rotating bonus categories available on both cards, it makes sense to consider getting both the Freedom Flex and the Discover it. Together, these cards represent some of the best no-annual-fee cash-back options on the market.

When you consider the matched cash back offer on the Discover it along with the extra benefits of the Freedom Flex, it becomes much easier to determine whether these cards are worthwhile for the average cash-back fan.

For more details, check out our comprehensive reviews of the Freedom Flex and Discover it.