Chase Freedom Unlimited is offering 25,000 points after spending $500 in 3 months with no annual fee.. That's up 5,000 points over their standard offer of 20,000 after spending $500 in 3 months.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
This is a good beginner card if you want to get your feet wet in the points and miles hobby. It has no annual fee, so there’s no financial commitment, and it will help you learn the basics of spending categories and points multipliers. While it’s a simple card to obtain and use, it doesn’t offer a ton of value. We recommend taking the time to read up on points and miles, then taking a leap of faith by getting one of the Chase Sapphire cards instead. Each Sapphire card has an annual fee, but we promise it’s worth it.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you’re new to the points-and-miles hobby, the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card can be a helpful introduction. It has relatively simple rules to help you learn about spending categories, and it offers a base rate of 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
- Additional cash-back categories: 5% on travel booked through the Chase portal, 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery), and 3% on drugstore purchases.
- No annual fee: You won’t need to worry about an extra cost just for holding the card.
However, if you plan to use points for travel, you’ll need cards that charge an annual fee to maximize your rewards. Pairing the Freedom Unlimited with a Chase Sapphire card (Preferred or Reserve) or an Ink Business Preferred card lets you convert your cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards points—often considered the most valuable points in the game.
In addition, the Freedom Unlimited comes with:
- Purchase protection
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Fraud monitoring
- Extended warranty protection
- Auto rental coverage
With these features, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card can be an excellent starting place before moving on to cards that earn more substantial points and miles.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
There are a few scenarios where this card may not be the best fit:
- You want points and miles specifically for travel, and this card only offers cash back on its own. (You can transfer the cash back to Ultimate Rewards points, but you need another Chase card to do so.)
- This card might take up a coveted spot in your 5/24 limit.
What to Know About Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards is our most valued point system.
- These points are the most flexible of any credit card points. You can book travel items directly through the Chase portal, including cruise, car rental, or speciality hotel. (Or transfer points to their partners).
- The quality of their transfer partners (Hyatt, United & Southwest) is unmatched. As is the value you can get when you transfer.
- You can get a “multiplier effect” (either 1.5x or 1.25x) on your Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you have either of Chase’s Sapphire cards.
- We view Ultimate Rewards as the points “savings account” to top off a partner reward system for a flight or hotel. Or to book travel items directly through the Chase travel portal.
How The Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Fits In The Chase Ultimate Rewards Ecosystem
Chase offers many cards, but we’ll keep things simple if you’re just starting out. In addition to the Freedom Unlimited, there are two other Chase Freedom cards:
- Freedom Rise – Similar to the Unlimited, it offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases so you don’t have to worry about categories.
- Freedom Flex – Offers 5% back in quarterly rotating bonus categories (e.g., groceries, gym memberships, hair/nail/spa services, or Norwegian Cruise purchases).
Once you’ve tried one of the Freedom cards, consider a Chase Sapphire card if you want to turn your cash back into Ultimate Rewards points that can transfer to hotel and airline partners for free travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the lower-tier option, with a $95 annual fee and a $50 hotel credit each year to help offset that cost. It also offers 3x points on dining and 2x on travel, plus 25% more value when booking through the Chase portal.
If you want even more value, perks, and benefits, look at the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It has a higher annual fee ($550), but you’ll immediately offset part of that with a $300 travel credit. You’ll also get additional statement credits and various other perks. Both Sapphire cards currently offer 60,000-point sign-up bonuses. However, remember that you can only receive a Sapphire sign-up bonus once every 48 months, so choose wisely if you plan to open one of these cards.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25,000 | $500 | 1.6 ¢ | $0 | $0 |
$408
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Back, Ultimate Rewards: Southwest, United & Hyatt transfers. | 3% Cash back on purchases up to $20000 | 24 from Bonus , 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6 |
Spend Categories
All Other + »
1.5X points
2.4¢ Per Dollar Spent
Restaurants = »
3X points
4.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Travel = »
3X points
4.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Rideshare and Transit = »
5X points
8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Drug Stores + »
3X points
4.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance on collision and theft, up to the cost of the vehicle.
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance on collision and theft, up to the cost of the vehicle.
Travel Insurance »
Trip cancellation insurance up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip
Trip cancellation insurance up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip
Purchase Protection »
You're protected within 120 days of purchase, up to a max of $500 per claim, and up to $50,000 per account.
You're protected within 120 days of purchase, up to a max of $500 per claim, and up to $50,000 per account.
Extended Warranty »
This card extends the manufacturer's warranty by 1 additional year on warranties of 3 years or less, up to $10,000 per claim, max $50,000 per account.
This card extends the manufacturer's warranty by 1 additional year on warranties of 3 years or less, up to $10,000 per claim, max $50,000 per account.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
Transfer To Friends No
Travel Partner Transfers
Chase Ultimate Rewards Outside Point System
Transfers Out To
Air Canada Aeroplan
1:1 88% value retained
British Airway Executive Avios
1:1 63% value retained
Cash in Cents
1:1 63% value retained
Flying Blue and Air France
1:1 75% value retained
IHG Rewards
1:1 38% value retained
jetBlue trueBlue
1:1 75% value retained
Marriott Bonvoy
1:1 44% value retained
Singapore KrisFlyer
1:1 81% value retained
Southwest Rapid Rewards
1:1 81% value retained
United MileagePlus
1:1 81% value retained
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
1:1 88% value retained
World of Hyatt
1:1 100% value retained
Chase Freedom Unlimited Application Rules
If you've received a bonus from this card within the last 24 month, you are not eligible for another bonus.
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Ranking of Cards Offering Chase Ultimate Rewards
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
1st
Honorable Mention
Breaking Points
March 23, 2025
Chase Freedom Unlimited
November 15, 2024
Chase Freedom Unlimited card
Chase Freedom Unlimited card is offering 25,000 after spending $500 in 3 months with a $0 annual fee.. That's up 5000 points over their standard offer of 20,000 after spending $0 in 3 months.
January 15, 2022
Mini Points - January 2022
- Chase Freedom & Freedom Flex categories are now open for the first quarter (Groceries & eBay), activate today.
- Discover It Cash Back Calendar now accessible, check out all the upcoming categories.
- Alaska Airlines Elite status now extended to April 30,2022 - plus, get status extension through December 31 with a couple of steps.
- 2022 Brought a new status for JetBlue Mosaic+, see all the new perks here.
- Hyatt award night expiring? Reach out to My Hyatt Concierge to see if you're eligible for an extension.
- Hilton is now offering a status match where you can try out one of their status' for 90 days and keep it until March 2024 by following a couple of steps.
- Chase is offering an additional bonus on the Freedom cards to new members - 5% back on gas for the first year.
July 2, 2021
Mini Points, July 2021
- Activate your new Chase Freedom Flex Q3 Categories starting July 1st for 5% back.
- Activate your new Discover Cashback Bonus Categories starting July 1st for 5% Cashback Bonus.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited sign up bonus now offering 5% back on spendings at grocery stores.
- Marriott Bonvoy breaks up with multiple transfer partners. Check out who they're still transferring to and from here.