What the Slate Credit Card Is
The Slate Credit Card is a no-annual-fee credit card issued by Chase designed for people rebuilding credit or managing existing debt. It offers an introductory 0% APR period on balance transfers and purchases, meaning you pay no interest on those balances for a set number of months. After the introductory period ends, a standard variable APR applies to any remaining balance.
Chase offers two versions: the Slate (standard) and Slate Edge, which has slightly different terms. Both are unsecured cards, meaning you do not need collateral to open one. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit history.
This card is not designed for people with excellent credit seeking rewards. It is built for someone who either wants to move high-interest debt to a 0% period, or who is working to establish or repair a credit history without paying an annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- The Slate has no annual fee and offers 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for an introductory period, after which a standard APR kicks in.
- You pay a balance transfer fee (usually 3% of the amount transferred) upfront, so moving $5,000 in debt costs $150 when ready.
- The introductory APR period length varies by offer and your creditworthiness, so the exact terms depend on what Chase offers you at the time you open the account.
- After the intro period, the APR applies to any unpaid balance, and the card offers no cash back or travel rewards.
- Chase typically targets people with fair to good credit, not those with poor credit or excellent credit seeking premium rewards.
How the Introductory 0% APR Works
When you open a Slate account, Chase offers a 0% introductory APR on two categories: balance transfers and new purchases. The length of this period varies. At the time of writing, Chase has offered periods ranging from 6 months to 15 months depending on the specific promotion and your credit profile, but these terms change frequently.
The 0% period means you owe no interest on those balances during that time. If you transfer $3,000 from another card and make $500 in new purchases, both sit at 0% APR for the full introductory window. Any payment you make goes toward the balance, and you build no additional interest charges.
Once the introductory period ends, the standard variable APR applies to any remaining balance. This APR is not fixed — it moves with the prime rate. You will see the exact APR range in your offer before you open the account, but the actual rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history at the time of approval.
Balance Transfer Fees and Costs
Moving debt to the Slate requires paying a balance transfer fee upfront. This fee is typically 3% of the amount you transfer, though Chase occasionally runs promotions offering 0% balance transfer fees for a limited time. A $5,000 transfer at 3% costs you $150 when ready — that fee is added to your Slate balance.
The math still often works in your favor if you are moving debt from a card charging 18% or higher APR. If you transfer $5,000 at 3% fee ($150 total cost) and pay it off during the 0% period, you save hundreds in interest compared to leaving it on the original card. But if you do not pay off the balance before the intro period ends, the standard APR kicks in and you owe interest on the full amount, including the fee you already paid.
There are no other regular fees: no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no late fees as long as you pay on time. If you miss a payment, standard late fees explore.
Who This Card Works For
The Slate is most useful for someone with one of two situations. First: you carry a balance on a high-interest card and want to move it to 0% to pay it down faster without interest charges. The 3% transfer fee is worth it if your current card charges 15% or more and you can pay off the balance during the intro period.
Second: you are rebuilding credit and need a card with no annual fee that reports to credit bureaus. The Slate does not require a deposit or secured account structure — you get a regular unsecured card. On-time payments show up on your credit report and help raise your score over time.
The card is less useful if you carry a balance month to month and do not plan to pay it off during the intro period. Once the 0% window closes, you pay standard APR with no rewards to offset it. It is also not designed for people with excellent credit who want cash back or travel benefits — those people should look at rewards cards instead.
Credit Score Requirements
Chase typically targets people with fair to good credit for the Slate. This usually means a credit score in the 600 to 750 range, though Chase does not publish exact minimums. If your score is below 600, approval is less likely. If your score is above 750, you may may have access to but the card offers no rewards, so a premium card might serve you better.
Your credit history matters as much as your score. Chase looks at how long you have had credit accounts, whether you have missed payments, and how much debt you currently carry. A recent bankruptcy or multiple late payments in the past year make approval unlikely, even with a decent score.
The only way to know if you may have access to is to check your offer. Chase allows you to see your personalized terms before you formally open the account — this shows the APR range and intro period you would receive based on your credit profile. This check does not hurt your credit score.
Slate vs. Other Balance Transfer Cards
Several other issuers offer balance transfer cards with 0% introductory periods. The main differences come down to the length of the intro period, the balance transfer fee, and whether the card charges an annual fee.
The Citi Simplicity Card, for example, offers 0% APR on balance transfers for up to 21 months (depending on the promotion) but charges a 3% balance transfer fee and has no annual fee. The Discover it Balance Transfer card offers similar terms. Some cards charge a 5% balance transfer fee but offer longer intro periods. A few premium cards charge annual fees but offer longer 0% windows or lower transfer fees.
The Slate's main advantage is simplicity: no annual fee, straightforward terms, and Chase's customer service. Its disadvantage is that it offers no rewards after the intro period ends, so if you do not pay off the balance during 0%, you are paying interest with no cash back to offset it. Compare the exact intro period length and transfer fee of any card you are considering before deciding.
How to Use the Slate Strategically
If you decide the Slate fits your situation, the strategy is straightforward: transfer the balance, then pay it down aggressively during the 0% period. Every dollar you pay reduces the principal with zero interest cost. A $5,000 transfer with a $150 fee leaves you $5,150 to pay off. If your intro period is 12 months, you need to pay roughly $430 per month to clear it before interest kicks in.
Make a payment plan before you open the account. Calculate the monthly payment needed to pay off the full balance (including the transfer fee) before the intro period ends. Set up automatic payments if possible — missing a payment can end the 0% period early on some cards, though Slate's terms typically protect the intro rate even if you miss a payment, as long as you eventually pay.
Do not use the card for new purchases unless you are certain you can pay them off during the intro period. New purchases also sit at 0% during the intro window, but once it ends, any unpaid purchase balance gets hit with the standard APR. The card has no rewards, so carrying a balance after the intro period costs you money with no benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Slate if I have bad credit?
Approval is unlikely if your credit score is below 600 or if you have recent late payments or a recent bankruptcy. Chase targets fair to good credit. If you have poor credit, a secured card (one that requires a cash deposit) may be easier to open and will still help you build credit history.
What happens to my 0% APR if I miss a payment?
Slate's terms typically protect your introductory rate even if you miss a payment, as long as you eventually pay. However, you will owe a late fee. Check your specific offer before opening the account, as terms can vary. Missing a payment also hurts your credit score.
Can I transfer a balance from another Chase card?
No. Chase does not allow you to transfer a balance from another Chase card to the Slate. You can only transfer balances from cards issued by other banks. You can, however, make new purchases on the Slate at 0% APR.
What is the APR after the intro period ends?
The exact APR depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Chase shows you the APR range (for example, 16.99% to 25.99%) before you open the account. The actual rate you receive falls somewhere in that range. This APR is variable, meaning it can change over time as the prime rate moves.
Does the Slate offer any rewards or cash back?
No. The Slate has no rewards program, no cash back, and no travel benefits. It is designed purely as a debt management tool, not a rewards card. If you want cash back or points, you need a different card.