Chase Freedom Unlimited Review – Solid Cash Back Rewards
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If you’re looking for a simple cash back rewards credit card with impressive earning potential, then Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent option. This card earns up to Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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 and comes with a generous welcome bonus. Best of all, the card earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. It also comes with $0 annual fee, ensuring that you’ll always earn rewards no matter what you buy or how much or little you spend.
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What is the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a rewards credit card offered by Chase. This card is only available to borrowers with good to excellent credit and has an impressive cash back rewards program. Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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
The card also offers cash back — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
How does Chase Freedom Unlimited® work?
You’ll need to navigate to the Chase website to apply for this card.
You can log in to apply faster if you already have a Chase account. Otherwise, you can apply as a guest. Either way, you’ll need to provide personal information, including your name, address, social security number, and date of birth. You’ll also need to state your income and monthly rental or mortgage payments.
Once you’ve filled out all the relevant info, you can submit your application. In some cases, you may be approved right away. In other cases, it may take a few weeks for Chase to review your application and get back to you with a decision. During the review process, you may receive a call from Chase to verify your identity. Once approved, you’ll receive your card in the mail and can begin using it immediately.
How much does Chase Freedom Unlimited® cost?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is free and has no annual fee. It's annual percentage rate is a variable 20.49% - 29.24%. Foreign transaction fees are. 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
This card has many great features that make it an attractive option for a cash back rewards credit card.
Cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a competitive rate on par with the top tier of cash back rewards credit cards. In addition to high bonus rates, the card also features Chase Freedom Unlimited®. There’s no need to keep track of rotating categories or spending limits, making this a super simple rewards card in your wallet.
Related: Best Cash Back Credit Cards
No annual fee
Unlike many top rewards credit cards, Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee. This means it’s an affordable cash back card even for borrowers on a budget. Since all purchases earn some cash back, you’re guaranteed to come out ahead if you use this card for your shopping.
Related: Best No Fee Credit Cards
Safety features
The card includes safety features such as purchase protection, $0 fraud liability, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental collision damage waiver, and travel and emergency assistance services.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Who is Chase Freedom Unlimited® best for?
People who want to earn cash back. Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers one of the best credit cards for cash back. Cash back cards immediately provide value in cold, hard cash, without messing around with various point conversions or redemption options. They’re also a great fit for people who want to simplify their credit card habits while still earning competitive rewards.
People who want rewards for everyday spending. Chase Freedom Unlimited® does reward purchases in certain bonus categories like groceries or dining with extra cash back. But where the card truly shines is the generous flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all other purchases., which is among the most competitive on offer, especially when paired with additional bonuses.
Who shouldn’t use Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
People with poor credit. Unfortunately, Chase Freedom Unlimited® is only available to borrowers with good to excellent credit. It’s recommended that you have a Excellent, Good to improve your chances of being accepted by the card issuer. If you’re unsure whether your creditworthiness is up to snuff, consider taking steps to boost your score before applying.
People who want travel rewards. One area where Chase Freedom Unlimited® does fall slightly short is when it comes to travel rewards. Unlike sister Chase cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, this card doesn’t feature luxury travel perks like free hotel or airline credits, TSA precheck, or luxury airport lounge access. If you travel frequently, you may want to consider a card with more travel perks and benefits.
Related: Best Rewards Cards
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cash back rewards. The card earns up to 5% cash back rewards, with a flat base rate of 1.5%.
- Intro APR. The Chase Freedom Unlimited comes with a 0% interest rate intro APR for the first 15 months.
- Welcome bonus. The card earns a welcome bonus of $200 when you spend $500 in the first three months of account opening.
Cons
- Limited travel perks. Chase Freedom Unlimited has fewer travel perks and benefits than other similar rewards cards.
- Foreign transaction fee: There’s a foreign transaction fee of 3%, which means this card isn’t a great pick for frequent international travelers.
- Grocery rewards end after a year. The card only earns 5% cash back on groceries for the first year.
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. competitors
Bank | Rewards | Annual Fee | Regular APR |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. | 0 | 20.49% - 29.24% |
Citi Double Cash® Card | 0 | 19.24% - 29.24% | |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards for Good Credit | 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day. | $0 | 29.99% |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases. | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 19.24% - 29.99% |
Citi Double Cash® Card
Card Name
Citi Double Cash® Card
APR
19.24% - 29.24%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good, Fair
Annual Fee
$0
Special Offer
Earn $200 cash back
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
Terms
Why We Like It
- Unlimited cash back earned on every dollar spent.
- Earn cash back when paying your bills on time.
- Intro 0% on balance transfers for 18 months (after which is an ongoing APR of 19.24% - 29.24%)
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card Name
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Annual Fee
$39
Special Offer
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back
Special Offer Terms
on every purchase, every day
Rewards Rate
1.5 % Cash Back on every purchase, every day. 5 % Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Terms
Why We Like It
- Earn unlimited cash back on every purchase.
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn.
- Cash back doesn't expire.
- You can be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Card Name
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
APR
19.24% - 29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Good, Excellent
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Special Offer
Earn a $250 statement credit
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Rewards Rate
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Why We Like It
- Buy Now, Pay Later options.
FAQs
Do cash back rewards expire?
No, cash back rewards never expire. As long as your account with Chase is still open, you’ll be able to access your rewards.
Can you have multiple Chase credit cards?
Yes, you can have multiple credit cards from Chase at one time. Many borrowers pair the Chase Freedom Unlimited with complimentary cards, such as the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, to maximize their rewards.
How do you redeem cash back?
Redeeming cash back rewards is easy in the form of a cash back statement credit or direct deposit, points at Amazon, gift cards, or travel reservations using Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
The bottom line
If you’re looking for a lucrative but straightforward rewards structure, Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great card. With a competitive base rate of 1.5% cash back on all other purchases., this card offers plenty of ways to earn. Plus, with 0 annual fee, you’re practically guaranteed to come out ahead. If you travel frequently and are looking for travel-related perks, this card might not be the best option. But it's hard to beat what Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers if you’re looking for a solid cash rewards credit card.
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Writer
Margaret Wack covers personal finance and small business and has appeared on MoneyUnder30, The Simple Dollar and Interest.com.
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