Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
vs. Chase Freedom Flex® Card

Updated: June 21, 2024

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Both the SavorOne Cash and the Freedom Flex Card offer enticing cash back rewards and share the benefit of no annual fees. The SavorOne Cash edges ahead with its higher cash back score and its straightforward rewards on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.

However, the Freedom Flex card's rotating bonus categories can be highly rewarding if your spending aligns with those categories. While the SavorOne Cash may be the frontrunner for consistent rewards, the Freedom Flex shouldn't be overlooked, especially for those who can maximize its rotating categories.

Credit Card logo for Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Chase Freedom Flex® Card
Chase Freedom Flex® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.7/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the SavorOne Cash if you value consistent cash back on dining, entertainment and grocery store purchases. With its higher cash back score, this card offers a straightforward rewards structure without the need to track rotating categories. The introductory offer and lack of foreign transaction fees are also beneficial.

You might prefer the Freedom Flex if you're adept at maximizing rewards in rotating categories and plan to travel. While it requires more management, this card can yield high returns on travel booked through Chase and in bonus categories that change quarterly. The introductory cash bonus and APR offer are also attractive features for new cardholders.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will illuminate the strengths of each card. Use this section to align card benefits with your spending patterns and financial goals, such as maximizing dining rewards with the SavorOne Cash or diverse category bonuses with the Freedom Flex.

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    Regular APR: SavorOne Cash

    The SavorOne Cash offers a lower starting APR of 19.99%, making it marginally better than the Freedom Flex, which has a starting APR of 20.49%.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the cards have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Freedom Flex

    For introductory 0% APRs, the Freedom Flex is better due to its lower balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 min) compared to the SavorOne Cash's 5% ($5 min), despite both cards offering the same 15-month duration on purchases and balance transfers.

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    Rewards: SavorOne Cash

    The SavorOne Cash card offers more consistent high-percentage rewards across a variety of categories, including 8% on Capital One Entertainment and 5% on travel booked through Capital One Travel. It also provides unique benefits with Uber & Uber Eats. The Freedom Flex card, while offering 5% cash back in rotating categories, may appeal to those who can maximize these changing rewards.

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    Welcome Offers: Tie

    Both the SavorOne Cash and the Freedom Flex offer a $200 bonus after a $500 spend within the first three months, making them equally attractive for their welcome offers.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both cards require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: SavorOne Cash

    The SavorOne Cash is better for avoiding foreign transaction fees, charging 0% compared to the Freedom Flex's 3%. Both cards have similar late fees and penalty APRs, but the SavorOne Cash offers a slight advantage for international transactions.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: SavorOne Cash

    Capital One has a slightly higher issuer satisfaction rating of 4.2, compared to JP Morgan Chase's 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    The SavorOne Cash offers 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats and complimentary Uber One membership credits, making it ideal for frequent users of Uber services. It also offers 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% on travel booked through Capital One Travel, with no foreign transaction fees.

    The Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back in rotating categories and on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, plus 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases. Cash back rewards on the Freedom Flex do not expire as long as the account is open.

Rewards Comparison

The SavorOne Cash has a good rewards program, particularly for those who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores, with no annual fee. It offers 3% cash back in these categories and 8% cash back for Capital One Entertainment purchases

The Freedom Flex has rotating 5% cash back categories, which can be lucrative if your spending aligns with those quarterly categories. However, it requires more effort to track and activate these categories. The Freedom Flex has a 5% return on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, appealing to frequent travelers.

Both cards exclude superstores like Walmart and Target from their higher cash back rates. For those who enjoy optimizing their rewards, the Freedom Flex's rotating categories offer a chance to earn significant cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter, but it's essential to stay on top of the activation each period. The categories change quarterly, so checking Chase's calendar is a must to maximize benefits.

Following this section, you'll find a table that lays out the bonus categories for each card.

Category
SavorOne Cash
Freedom Flex

Categories

1%

5% on rotating categories each quarter upon activation, up to $1,500 in combined purchases, then 1%

Dining

3%

3%

Entertainment

3%/8% (for Capital One Entertainment purchases)

1%

Streaming Services

3%

1%

Grocery Stores

3% (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)

1%

Redeeming Rewards

After accumulating rewards, you'll want to know how you can redeem them. With the SavorOne Cash, redemption is flexible; you can request cash back as a statement credit or a check. You also have the option to set automatic redemptions for specific times or when you hit certain thresholds. Beyond cash back, you can redeem for gift cards, travel and more, with varying rates. Additionally, you can transfer rewards between eligible Capital One accounts.

The Freedom Flex offers a range of redemption options as well, including cash, gift cards, and travel. You have the freedom to use points for products or services through the program or third-party providers, though redemption values can differ. Importantly, points do not expire as long as your account is open, providing peace of mind for long-term reward planning.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the SavorOne Cash and Freedom Flex using a tailored scoring system. In this comparison, both cards are assessed based on their performance in the cash back category.

The factors influencing their scores include the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers, which together account for a significant portion of the overall score. For a detailed understanding of our evaluation process, you're welcome to explore our ranking methodology.

FAQ: SavorOne Cash vs. Freedom Flex Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the SavorOne Cash and Freedom Flex cards?
Do either of the cards charge an annual fee?
Can I earn a welcome bonus with either the SavorOne Cash or Freedom Flex card?
Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?
What is the introductory APR offer for both cards?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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