topic Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom in Credit Cards

Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 03:44:39 GMT

I was recently approved for both. I see more Disco love on these forums and was curious as to why? They seem very similar regarding rewards. It is customer service? Growth? Perks? I am hoping they do not have too many cross-over rewards rotations, but when they do, I would like to know which is better to use. (or does it matter?)

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 03:56:15 GMT

I have both cards why is simple double cashback 1st year with discover and massive cli on soft pulls it seems every 91 days. My freedom went from 4K to 5k after 5 months that's it. I am now in my second month with discover and hoping the gravy train is still going after I get my 3rd statement because I'll be requesting a cli where as the freedom would be a hardpull

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

takeshi74 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 04:07:21 GMT

No idea. Popular is just popular and doesn't necessarily mean much. It's what works for you that really matters.

@Anonymous wrote:
They seem very similar regarding rewards.

They can be similar but there are frequenlty differences that could matter to individuals.

@Anonymous wrote:
It is customer service?

Some find that Discover's CS is better. I don't use CS enough with any company to use it as a priority.

@Anonymous wrote:
Growth?

A number of people seem to find that Discover grows better but that really depends on one's credit profile and income and not just Discover. If one has a credit profile that doesn't qualify for a CLI then the growth potential really won't matter until that credit profile improves.

@Anonymous wrote:
but when they do, I would like to know which is better to use. (or does it matter?)

Better is always highly subjective. It's up to you to determine that based on your situation, preferences, priorities, etc. I have a CSP and can generally transfer UR points for higher redemption value so all else being equal I'll lean toward my Freedom. However, I'm currently signed up for double cash back with Discover so I have to take that into account as well. I can't beat 10% cash back with UR points. Again, details of similar quarters may have differences that could be worth considering.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 03:58:40 GMT

2 words for ya.....

Discover deals

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Discover2016 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 04:01:31 GMT

I have both and love both, that being said, Discover has some distinct advantages. The main one being that you can grow the Discover with SP CLI's and no foreign transaction fee.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 04:05:54 GMT

I got the Disco for the rewards and the freedom for the intro APR. (the Disco was approved at an adjusted intro of 10.94%, not zero) I plan to transfer a balance to it and only se it when the specific rewards catagory is worth it. I expect the Disco to get more use, but was curious as to others opinions and if I was missing something.

Edit: Also, why do you have to "sign up" for the rewards? Is it just a ploy so some people forget and don't get them? It would seem having the card would be enough.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Callandra — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 04:03:09 GMT

Discover is more popular with those who want pure cashback. The categories tend to be broader (read: better) and people seem to love Discover CS (I don't have Discover so I can't judge). Plus coupled with a supposedly very good shopping portal and the recent double cashback, it seems like a great choice for cashback.

Freedom is better if you are interested in UR points and have a CSP (or another card that allows transfers to partners). Some may also prefer Freedom because it's a Visa. It's really up to you which one will work for you.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Sharingan — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 04:19:01 GMT

I would imagine that some are quite partial to Discover because they will give them what Chase won't, likely due to that ever so notorious and stringent new accounts rule. Personally, I prefer the Chase Freedom Visa Signature to the Discover IT; however, I view them more as complements rather than competitors. My overall experience with Chase as a customer is by far better than that with Discover, and it is definitely a factor in this comparison as well. Otherwise, I really like the flexibility of UR points. My Discover has had extremely limited growth in the 4 years that I have had it compared to just about every other card in my possession, so I definitely cannot give them an edge there.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 04:35:39 GMT

@Discover2016 wrote:
I have both and love both, that being said, Discover has some distinct advantages. The main one being that you can grow the Discover with SP CLI's and no foreign transaction fee.

Yes, but merchant acceptance is limited internationally.

I have both and plan to keep and use both.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Discover2016 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 05:12:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Discover2016 wrote:
I have both and love both, that being said, Discover has some distinct advantages. The main one being that you can grow the Discover with SP CLI's and no foreign transaction fee.
Yes, but merchant acceptance is limited internationally.

I have both and plan to keep and use both.

Yep, that is where the Freedom has an edge.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

mitchblue — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 06:42:25 GMT

As far as "Discover and massive cli on soft pulls it seems every 91 days.." is not true for everyone so take it fwiw.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

TURNERHOOVER — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 08:21:58 GMT

Chase freedom for me. Discover is okay but the current limit even after two SP CLI's is still less than half what my freedom limit is. 1k SP CLI on freedom three months after opening the account, although none since then. Discover CLI's 500 each.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:11:10 GMT

Here are the benefits and drawbacks as I see them.

If you are using Freedom for cash, the Discover categories tend to be a bit broader than Chase's. This allows more shopping to fit in. For example, my subway pass is covered by Discocer this quarter, but it wouldn't be for Chase (not gas).

If you travel a lot, you may be interested in CSP. CSP and Freedom share the same point system, and you can transfer points between them. This doubles their value over the Freedom cash option, because CSP has some good deals with partners. If you don't want the CSP, Discovers 0% Foreign Transaction Fee could be good for you.

The broad experience is that CLIs are easier to come by with Discover. My personal experience conflicts with this, as Discover has been unwilling to give me love, but DW's Discover has received quite a few CLIs.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Closingracer99 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:12:49 GMT

@takeshi74 wrote:
No idea. Popular is just popular and doesn't necessarily mean much. It's what works for you that really matters.

@Anonymous wrote:
They seem very similar regarding rewards.
They can be similar but there are frequenlty differences that could matter to individuals.

@Anonymous wrote:
It is customer service?
Some find that Discover's CS is better. I don't use CS enough with any company to use it as a priority.

@Anonymous wrote:
Growth?
A number of people seem to find that Discover grows better but that really depends on one's credit profile and income and not just Discover. If one has a credit profile that doesn't qualify for a CLI then the growth potential really won't matter until that credit profile improves.

@Anonymous wrote:
but when they do, I would like to know which is better to use. (or does it matter?)
Better is always highly subjective. It's up to you to determine that based on your situation, preferences, priorities, etc. I have a CSP and can generally transfer UR points for higher redemption value so all else being equal I'll lean toward my Freedom. However, I'm currently signed up for double cash back with Discover so I have to take that into account as well. I can't beat 10% cash back with UR points. Again, details of similar quarters may have differences that could be worth considering.

Discover has better growth by the simple fact you never need to take a HP to ask for a CLI. If they don't approve you a CLI with a Soft pull they will ask if they can do a HP which you can say no. Chase on the other hand you're probably better applying for a new card and moving credit limits around since asking for a CLI also takes a HP. I have gotten one SP Auto CLI and that was on my Freedom last year and thats it and it was a measly $1,000 CLI.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Closingracer99 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:13:42 GMT

@Discover2016 wrote:
I have both and love both, that being said, Discover has some distinct advantages. The main one being that you can grow the Discover with SP CLI's and no foreign transaction fee.

the no FTF is a useless feature imo.... unless you travel in Asia pretty much. Coverage elsewhere is pretty spotty.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Closingracer99 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:16:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I got the Disco for the rewards and the freedom for the intro APR. (the Disco was approved at an adjusted intro of 10.94%, not zero) I plan to transfer a balance to it and only se it when the specific rewards catagory is worth it. I expect the Disco to get more use, but was curious as to others opinions and if I was missing something.

Edit: Also, why do you have to "sign up" for the rewards? Is it just a ploy so some people forget and don't get them? It would seem having the card would be enough.

With Chase since I also bank at chase they never forget to advertise that you need to sign up for the 5% bonus categories whenever you use the ATM. You can also sign up for it through the ATM. Perhaps it is some regulatory thing which they are required to make it as an sign up thing?

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Closingracer99 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:17:33 GMT

@Sharingan wrote:
I would imagine that some are quite partial to Discover because they will give them what Chase won't, likely due to that ever so notorious and stringent new accounts rule. Personally, I prefer the Chase Freedom Visa Signature to the Discover IT; however, I view them more as complements rather than competitors. My overall experience with Chase as a customer is by far better than that with Discover, and it is definitely a factor in this comparison as well. Otherwise, I really like the flexibility of UR points. My Discover has had extremely limited growth in the 4 years that I have had it compared to just about every other card in my possession, so I definitely cannot give them an edge there.

Really? It was my first card back in 2013 and it went from a $750 limit up to now a $5,500 limit. 90% using only SP's vs HP's

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Closingracer99 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:19:30 GMT

@TURNERHOOVER wrote:
Chase freedom for me. Discover is okay but the current limit even after two SP CLI's is still less than half what my freedom limit is. 1k SP CLI on freedom three months after opening the account, although none since then. Discover CLI's 500 each.

I'll take Discover's SP lol. Chase has given me one SP CLI but other then that I had to move credit around from another card to increase my limit to $9,000. I was going to close the card anways so I figured ill move most of the $5,000 credit limit and add it to my freedom so i can make it a siggy.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Runitup — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 15:58:24 GMT

Correct me if I'm wrong but there is no minimum dollar cash back threshold for Disco. Last time I checked, it was $25 for Chase.

Re: Discover IT vs. Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 18:02:40 GMT

Discover gives big credit limits via soft pulls every 6-8 weeks, and it can be done online. Their rewards are better (either chrome or regular IT) and they give a free fico score. But discover isn't taken everywhere so having a visa card is helpful. Chase freedom gives okay credit limits, and several auto credit line increases during the first few years, but after that you need to call in and it requries a hard pull. Plus chase always has 1 or 2 quarters with useless rewards like home improvement or public transportation. Plus their foreign transaction fees are 4% whereas capital one is 0%.

I pretty much use Discover for most purchases, Capital one for the few places that don't take Discover, cash at mom and pop stores, and ignore Freedom except using it once a month to keep it active despite Chase giving me my 2nd largest credit limit.