Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
This can be a good starter card if you want to get your feet wet in the points and miles hobby. With no annual fee, there’s little financial commitment, and the card helps introduce concepts like spending categories and points multipliers. That said, spending multipliers rarely move the needle as much as large signup bonuses. While this card is simple to use, it won’t generate meaningful free travel on its own. We generally recommend learning the basics and then moving up to one of the Chase Sapphire cards, where the larger welcome bonuses and transferable points offer far more long-term value.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you’re new to points and miles, the Chase Freedom Unlimited can be a solid introduction thanks to its straightforward earning structure and lack of an annual fee. The card offers:
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3% back on dining, takeout, eligible delivery services, and drugstore purchases
- No annual fee
On its own, the card functions primarily as a cashback card. However, pairing it with a Chase Sapphire card (Preferred or Reserve) or the Ink Business Preferred allows you to convert those rewards into Chase Ultimate Rewards points, unlocking airline and hotel transfer partners.
The card also includes several useful protections and travel benefits:
- Purchase protection
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Fraud monitoring
- Extended warranty protection
- Auto rental coverage
The Freedom Unlimited works best as a complementary card inside the Chase ecosystem rather than a standalone travel card.
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 will 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 transfer points to their partners (the most valuable way to redeem)
- Or you can book travel directly through the Chase portal, including cruise, car rental, or specialty hotels.
- 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” on your Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you have either of Chase’s Sapphire cards by taking advantage of Points Boost.
- 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 different cards depending on where you are in the hobby. Here are some personal cards to consider and how they compare to the Freedom Unlimited:
- Freedom Flex: Offers 5% back in quarterly rotating bonus categories (e.g., groceries, gym memberships, hair/nail/spa services, or Norwegian Cruise purchases) and a small, 20,000 point signup bonus redeemable as cash back.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: The lower-tier Sapphire option, with a $95 annual fee and a 75,000 point signup bonus. It offers a $50 hotel credit each year to help offset the fee, plus 3x points on dining and 2x on travel. Most importantly, it unlocks the ability to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Chase’s premium Sapphire card with a $795 annual fee, a 125,000 point signup bonus, and a $300 annual travel credit that immediately offsets part of the fee. The card also includes airport lounge access, a variety of statement credits, and several premium travel perks.
The Freedom Unlimited works best when paired with one of the Sapphire cards, since that allows you to convert your cash back into transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points for significantly more value.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Rules
Card Extras
No extras to display for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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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.
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to 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
