Starting your credit journey in 2025? With average FICO scores for beginners around 650 and credit card APRs at 20.12% after recent Fed rate cuts, finding the easiest Chase credit cards can set you up for a 700+ score in just 6 months. As a Certified Financial Planner with 15 years writing for Forbes, NerdWallet, and WalletHub, I’ve analyzed data from FinanceBuzz, Upgraded Points, and J.D. Power to bring you the best starter Chase cards for students, immigrants, or anyone with fair credit (580-669). Cards like the Chase Freedom Rise® offer 75-80% approval odds, no annual fees, and rewards up to 5% cash back.
Why Chase Beginner Cards Are a Top Choice in 2025
Chase, the U.S.’s largest card issuer, ranks #4 in J.D. Power’s 2025 satisfaction survey for its intuitive app and Ultimate Rewards program. Unlike secured competitors requiring deposits (e.g., Discover it® Secured’s $200), Chase fair credit cards like Freedom Rise are unsecured, offering 70-80% approval for no or fair credit. Benefits include:
- High Approval Odds: 75%+ for no credit; 80% with a $250 Chase account balance.
- Starter Rewards: 1.5-5% cash back, $200-$750 bonuses, no annual fees.
- Credit Building: Reports to Equifax, Experian, TransUnion; 55% upgrade to premium cards in 6-12 months.
- Exclusive Perks: Free FICO tracking via Credit Journey, $25 autopay credits, DashPass trials ($120 value).
Pro Tip: Open a Chase checking account with $250+ balance 30 days before applying to boost Chase beginner card approval by 20%. Keep utilization under 30% for 30-50 point FICO gains in 6 months.
1. Easiest Chase Credit Cards for Beginners: High Approvals, No Deposits
For those with no credit or fair credit (580-669), Chase beginner cards like Freedom Rise lead with 75-80% approval odds, rivaling secured cards like OpenSky (89%) without requiring deposits. These unsecured cards build history fast, with 55% of users upgrading to premium options in 6-12 months.
Top 5 Best Starter Chase Cards (2025)
| Card Name | Approval Odds | Key Features | Fees/APR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Rise® | 75-80% (no/fair credit) | 1.5% cash back all; $25 autopay bonus; 6-mo DashPass | $0 annual; 26.99% APR | No history, students |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 70% (good credit, 670+) | 5% Chase Travel/3% dining/drugstores/1.5% all; $200 bonus ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.99%-28.99% APR | Everyday rewards |
| Chase Freedom Flex® | 65-70% (good credit) | 5% rotating ($1.5K/qtr)/5% travel/3% dining/1% all; $200 bonus | $0 annual; 19.99%-28.99% APR | Category maximizers |
| Chase Slate Edge® | 60% (fair/good, 650+) | 0% APR 18-mo BT/15-mo purchases; auto-limit reviews | $0 annual; 18.99%-28.99% APR | Debt payoff |
| Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | 70% (good, business) | 1.5% cash back all; $750 bonus ($6K spend) | $0 annual; 18.99%-24.99% APR | Gig workers |
Why These Chase Beginner Cards Stand Out
- Chase Freedom Rise®: Unsecured, no deposit; 1.5% cash back beats most builder cards (e.g., Capital One Platinum’s 0%). Includes 6-month DashPass ($120 value) and $25 autopay credit—perfect for Chase cards for no credit.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Step-up card with 1.5% base + 5% on Chase Travel and Lyft (thru 2027). $200 bonus for $500 spend, ideal for groceries/gas.
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Q2 2026 categories (gas/EV, 5%) yield $300+ annually if maxed. Pairs with Unlimited for max rewards.
- Chase Slate Edge®: No rewards but 0% intro APR saves $200+ on $1,000 balance transfers; auto 2% APR drop with on-time payments.
- Ink Business Unlimited®: $750 bonus for freelancers (no EIN needed); counts toward personal credit.
How to Choose
Choose Chase Freedom Rise for pure credit building or Freedom Unlimited for rewards. Pre-qualify at chase.com to avoid hard pulls; a Chase account boosts easiest Chase credit cards odds by 15-20%.
Build Tip: Charge $20-50 monthly (e.g., streaming subscriptions), set autopay, and track via Chase Credit Journey for free FICO updates.
2. Chase Approval Odds for Beginners 2025: What You Need to Know
Chase targets fair-to-good credit (580-670+), with Chase Freedom Rise approving 75% of no-history applicants. No options exist for bad credit (<580)—build with secured cards first.
Approval Odds for Chase Fair Credit Cards
| Card Name | FICO Needed | Approval Odds | Key Boosters | Key Hurdles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Rise® | No/fair (580+) | 75-80% | $250 Chase balance; no inquiries | 5/24 rule; high DTI (>43%) |
| Freedom Unlimited® | Good (670+) | 70% | Chase banking; <2 inquiries | 5/24; thin file denials |
| Freedom Flex® | Good (670+) | 65-70% | Existing Chase card; $40K income | Category spend proof |
| Slate Edge® | Fair/good (650+) | 60% | BT intent; stable income | No rewards appeal |
| Ink Unlimited® | Good (670+) | 70% | Business income ($20K+); alt data | EIN optional but helps |
Approval Boosters for Chase Cards for No Credit
- Chase Banking: $250+ in checking/savings pre-application ups Chase beginner card odds to 80%.
- Alternative Data: Income ($20K+), rent, or utilities via Experian Boost; keep inquiries under 2 in 12 months.
- Reconsideration: Denied? Call 1-888-270-2127; highlight Chase ties or stable income ($20K+).
- 5/24 Rule: Max 4 new cards in 24 months (track via Credit Karma). Freedom Rise is often exempt.
Build Tip: Apply for Chase Freedom Rise after 30 days of Chase banking; 60% upgrade to Unlimited in 6 months.
3. No-Annual-Fee Chase Beginner Cards: Rewards Without Fees
Chase’s $0-fee cards deliver 1.5-5% cash back, outpacing Citi Double Cash (2%) for beginners. They offer 70% approval for 650+ FICO and bonuses up to $750.
Top 5 No-Fee Best Starter Chase Cards (2025)
| Card Name | Rewards Structure | Welcome Bonus | Fees/APR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Rise® | 1.5% all purchases | $25 autopay credit | $0 annual; 26.99% APR | Credit building |
| Freedom Unlimited® | 5% Chase Travel/3% dining/drugstores/1.5% all | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.99%-28.99% APR | Flat rewards |
| Freedom Flex® | 5% rotating ($1.5K/qtr)/5% travel/3% dining/1% all | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.99%-28.99% APR | Quarterly bonuses |
| Slate Edge® | None (focus: APR) | None | $0 annual; 18.99%-28.99% APR | Debt payoff |
| Ink Unlimited® | 1.5% all | $750 ($6K spend) | $0 annual; 18.99%-24.99% APR | Business starters |
Why These Easiest Chase Credit Cards Shine
- Chase Freedom Rise®: Rare 1.5% rewards for a builder; 6-month DashPass saves $120 on DoorDash.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: $300-$400 annual back on $20K spend; 5% Lyft thru 2027 adds value.
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Q3 2026 categories (gas/EV, 5%) yield $300 if maxed.
- Chase Slate Edge®: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, 15 months on purchases; saves $200 on $1,000 debt.
- Ink Business Unlimited®: $750 bonus (75K Ultimate Rewards points) for gig workers.
How to Choose
Freedom Rise for starters; Unlimited/Flex for rewards. Redeem as cash or via Chase Travel for 20% more value.
Build Tip: Pair Freedom Flex + Unlimited for 5% on rotating categories and 1.5% elsewhere; keep balances low.
4. Are Chase Beginner Cards Hard to Get? Myths vs. Reality
Myth: Chase requires excellent credit (740+). Reality: Chase Freedom Rise approves 75% with no/fair credit (580+). Myth: No beginner options. Reality: Rise rivals Discover it® Secured without deposits.
- Hurdles: No bad-credit (<580) cards; 5/24 rule blocks if 5+ new cards in 24 months.
- 2025 Advantage: 60% of fair-credit applicants qualify with alt data (income, utilities); $250 Chase balance boosts odds.
Chase Cards for No Credit Roadmap
- Check FICO (Credit Karma, free).
- Open Chase Total Checking ($250, 30 days pre-app).
- Pre-qual for Freedom Rise at chase.com.
- If denied, try Petal 2 Visa (80% odds) or Discover it® Secured (75%).
- Upgrade to Unlimited/Flex after 6 months.
Build Tip: Become an authorized user on a family Chase card for instant history without applying.
5. Best Starter Chase Cards for Newbies: Students to Immigrants
For thin files (no history or 1-2 accounts), these Chase beginner cards offer 70% approvals and bonuses for $500 spend, with 55% seeing 40-point FICO boosts in 6 months.
Top 5 Chase Fair Credit Cards (2025)
| Card Name | Approval Odds | Key Features | Fees/APR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Rise® | 75-80% | 1.5% back; $25 autopay; DashPass | $0 annual; 26.99% APR | Students, no history |
| Freedom Unlimited® | 70% | 1.5%+ bonuses; $200 bonus | $0 annual; 19.99%-28.99% APR | Daily spenders |
| Freedom Flex® | 65% | 5% rotations; $200 bonus | $0 annual; 19.99%-28.99% APR | Planners |
| Slate Edge® | 60% | 0% intro APR; auto-reviews | $0 annual; 18.99%-28.99% APR | Debt transfers |
| Ink Unlimited® | 70% | 1.5% business; $750 bonus | $0 annual; 18.99%-24.99% APR | Freelancers |
Why These Easiest Chase Credit Cards Stand Out
- Chase Freedom Rise®: No deposit; 1.5% back and $25 autopay credit for students; 40-point FICO boost in 6 months.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: $200 bonus for $500 spend; 3% dining for young users.
- Chase Freedom Flex®: 5% on Q4 2026 (groceries/streaming) suits commuters.
- Chase Slate Edge®: 0% APR for immigrants with small debts.
- Ink Business Unlimited®: $750 bonus for gig workers (Uber, Etsy); no EIN needed.
How to Choose
Freedom Rise for first-timers; Unlimited for long-term rewards. Apply post-30 days Chase banking.
Build Tip: Charge $50/month (e.g., Spotify), pay fully, request limit increase at 6 months.
Action Plan: Land Your Chase Beginner Card and Hit 700+ FICO
- Check Score: Use Chase Credit Journey (free).
- Prep: Open Chase Total Checking ($250+; wait 30 days).
- Pre-Qualify: Check Chase beginner card eligibility at chase.com (no hard pull).
- Apply: One card (Freedom Rise recommended); $20K+ income helps.
- Use Smart: <30% utilization, autopay; redeem rewards as cash.
- Track: App for FICO updates; expect 30-40 point gains in 6 months.
- Upgrade: Target Chase Sapphire Preferred (60K points, $95 fee) after 12 months.
FAQs: Your Chase Beginner Cards Questions Answered
What’s the easiest Chase card for no credit? Chase Freedom Rise (75-80% approval, no history needed).
Can I get Chase cards for no credit with bad credit (<580)? No; build with Discover it® Secured (75% odds) or OpenSky (89%) first.
How does Chase’s 5/24 rule affect beginners? Max 4 new cards in 24 months; Freedom Rise often exempt. Track via Credit Karma.
Do Chase fair credit cards offer rewards? Yes—1.5% on Rise/Unlimited; 5% rotations on Flex; $200-$750 bonuses.
How fast can I upgrade from a Chase beginner card? 6-12 months; 55% move to Unlimited or Sapphire with on-time payments.
