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If you’re looking for a credit card that earns a generous amount of cash back on every purchase you make, you should consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Along with an accelerated cashback rate on travel purchased through Chase, dining and drugstore purchases, the card offers a solid rate on general purchases.
Plus, cardholders earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
We break down the pros and cons of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, and show how it compares to the Chase Freedom Flex℠ – which also offers a generous amount of cash back in a variety of popular categories.
Intro Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
Regular Purchase APR
16.49% - 25.24% Variable
Intro BT APR
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
Regular BT APR
16.49% - 25.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Advance Fee
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
Foreign Transaction Fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. Then, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Sign-up bonus
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Cashback rewards rate
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited® rewards – which won’t expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing – can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, travel or products and services. You can also use your points to pay for all or part of purchases at participating Chase Pay merchants.
Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months and a 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months.
This gives you more than a year to pay off large purchases or other high-interest debt without incurring interest charges.
Once the introductory periods end, you will be subject to interest charges at an APR of 16.49% - 25.24% variable on any remaining balance.
There is a balance transfer fee, however: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. Then, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
$0 annual fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes with a $0 annual fee — which is pretty typical for a consumer credit card that offers a flat cashback rewards rate.
Foreign transaction fees
If you plan to use your Chase Freedom Unlimited® to make purchases outside of the U.S., beware that you will be subject to foreign transaction fees of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Low cashback rate on general purchases
While the ability to earn 1.5% cash back on general purchases is satisfactory, there are several flat-rate cards available that offer 2% cash back on every purchase.
In addition to rewards on dining, drugstore and Chase travel purchases, cardholders can earn cash back in a variety of categories that rotate each quarter: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. Note, the 5% cashback rate on rotating categories can be earned on the first $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter upon activation.
Additionally, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card offers the following sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
If you max out the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card’s spending limit on rotating categories each quarter, you can earn $300 cash back on those purchases alone at the end of the year. Once you factor in the sign-up bonus, that amount can jump to well over $500 during the first year of card membership.
That said, if you don’t activate the Chase Freedom Flex℠’s bonus categories each quarter, you will only earn 1% cash back on those purchases. By contrast, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers a slightly higher cashback rate on general purchases.
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| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card |
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Apply Now on Chase's secure site
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Apply Now on Chase's secure site
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Apply Now on Citibank's secure site
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Apply Now on Capital One's secure site
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| Annual Fee | |||
| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Welcome Offer | |||
| Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! | No bonus | One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening |
| Rewards Rate | |||
| Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. | 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) |
| Intro Purchase APR | |||
| 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | N/A | 0% intro on purchases for 15 months |
| Regular APR | |||
| 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | 16.24% - 26.24% (Variable) | 16.49% - 26.49% (Variable) |
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | |||
| 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months | 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers | 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) |
| Regular Balance Transfer APR | |||
| 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | 16.24% - 26.24% (Variable) | 16.49% - 26.49% (Variable) |
| Balance Transfer Fee | |||
| Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. Then, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. Then, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening. | 3% |
| Recommended Credit | |||
| Excellent/Good | Excellent/Good | Excellent/Good | Excellent/Good |
| Card Details | |||
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card |
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great option for those who want to earn a good cashback rate in popular spending categories as well as general purchases. But if you want the opportunity to earn an elevated rewards rate in categories that rotate quarterly – and don’t mind activating bonus categories or keeping track of spending limits each quarter – the Chase Freedom Flex℠ may be a better fit.
