Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card Review
If you are looking for a card with no annual fee and easy earning potential, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® might be a good fit for you. This is a great starter card due to its straightforwardness, the return you get on everyday spend and ability to pair with other Chase cards. In our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review, we will look at the welcome offer, earning structure, card perks, and share our overall thoughts.
Freedom Unlimited’s Current Welcome Offer
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® currently offers the following public 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 Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
- The card has a $0 annual fee.
Keep in mind that points from the extra 1.5% will count as a mini welcome offer and will reset your 24 month clock each time.
Chase Application Rules
Like other Chase cards, you will not qualify for this card if you have opened more than 5 credit cards with any bank in the last 24 months. You also can not receive the welcome offer on this card if you have earned one in the last 24 months. This does not include other Freedom cards. You can carry each Freedom card type at the same time and still get the welcome offer.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card Review: Earning Rates
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has the following earning structure:
- 5% (5x) on travel through the Chase Travel℠, their travel portal
- 3% (3x) on dining inclusive of takeout and delivery
- 3% (3x) on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% (1.5x) on all other eligible purchases
How To Turn Your Cashback Into Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (Formerly Ultimate Rewards)
While you can earn cash back with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can also use your points for travel. This is even more valuable if you have one of the following premium Chase cards:
That is because the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, allowing you to transfer points between all of your accounts. Once your points are in an Chase Ultimate Rewards earning account (one of the three cards listed above), you can transfer points 1:1 to a variety of airline and hotel partners.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review: Card Perks
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® doesn't have many perks to speak of, which isn't surprising for a no annual fee card. There are some purchase protections and extended warranty programs but nothing that is worth directing your spend to this card for. The perks of the card are in the points you earn for this one.
Freedom Unlimited: ToP Analysis
This card continues to be a great everyday card with 3% back on restaurants and drugstores plus 1.5% back on everyday purchases. If you unlock that cash back and turn it into Chase Ultimate Rewards points then you will likely get over a 2% return on those 1.5 points per dollar. That makes this one of the best options for an everyday card.
If you are choosing between this and the Chase Freedom® FlexSM it is likely the Flex will be a better earner for most people. That is unless you have a ton of non bonus spend each month. The good news is you don't really have to choose between the two, since you can sign up for and get the welcome offer for both cards. Then you have an everyday earner card in the Unlimited and a great bonus earning card in the Flex. That is what makes these a big part of getting the Chase Trifecta.
With no annual fee, I never question the value proposition of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. I appreciate that I can use my Freedom Unlimited and earn a consistent rate (1.5%) with every single purchase. Nothing to overthink. This is a great option for an unwilling partner that wants simplicity but also gives you a great return on their spend no matter where they are.
While we would love to see some worthwhile from the perks there is nothing of note to discuss. That may be the only downside to the card and even that is a slight knock.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card Review: ToP Thoughts
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® will always have a spot in my wallet due to its ease of use, flexibility in redemption and lack of an annual fee. Although there is a solid cash back option, the ultimate value comes from pairing the card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve for travel.
If you have any questions on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or traveling with points be sure to ask them in our ToP Facebook Group.
