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Annual Fee: $0
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20k spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash-back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20k spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash-back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Earning an extra 1.5% on EVERYTHING you buy (up to $20,000 in the first year) is a solid offer. That's a return worth up to $300 cash-back... if you choose to go the cash-back route.
However, if you have another Chase card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can turn your cash-back rewards into those coveted Chase points for greater value and the ability to transfer to airline and hotel partners.
If you don't have another Chase card that earns Chase points... fear not! The Freedom Unlimited is still an excellent starter card, and you can always apply for one of Chase's other cards down the road that will allow you to turn these cash-back rewards into points.
[.redeem] 6.5% [.redeem] 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
[.redeem] 4.5% [.redeem] cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
[.redeem] 3% [.redeem] on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
*After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
🏆 Daily Drop's Most Popular Card
🏆 Daily Drop's Most Popular Card
Annual Fee: $95
🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee (Business)
🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee (Business)
Annual Fee: $0
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20k spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash-back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a card we keep coming back to, mainly for its flexibility, price, and earning structure. It is hands-down one of the most reliable cards out there, perfect for both newbies and seasoned credit card gurus. The welcome offer is generous, but it's also super easy to rack up points with everyday spending thanks to the cash back earned on all purchases. Those points become even more valuable if you have a Sapphire card, letting you stretch them further through Chase’s transfer partners. If there’s a card we'd recommend for people looking to ease into rewards, the Freedom Unlimited is it. You don’t need to think about bonus categories or annual fees—it’s a straightforward, cost-effective way to start building points for your next trip.
[.pro] Ability to turn cash-back into Chase Ultimate Rewards when paired with an eligible card [.pro]
[.pro] Solid (and generous) earning rates on everyday spending [.pro]
[.pro] Flexible redemption options for cash back or travel partners [.pro]
[.pro] Valuable perks like purchase protections and travel benefits [.pro]
[.pro] No annual fee [.pro]
[.con] May have less value as a stand alone cash-back card if you don't hold the Preferred, Reserve, or the Ink Business Preferred [.con]
[.con] Cash back rate may be lower compared to some category-specific cards [.con]
[.con] Foreign transaction fees make it less ideal for international use [.con]
[.redeem] 6.5% [.redeem] 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
[.redeem] 4.5% [.redeem] cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
[.redeem] 3% [.redeem] on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
*After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Redeeming your cash back as a statement credit [.dontreco]
While you can apply your cash back toward your balance, doing so means you miss out on using your rewards for travel or gift cards.
[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Using the Chase Travel Portal [.sometimesreco]
You can redeem your cash back for travel expenses through Chase Travel at a rate of 1 cent per point. It’s a solid option, but you might get better value elsewhere.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Transferring points to travel partners [.alwaysreco]
By pairing this card with a Sapphire Card, your Freedom Unlimited cash back can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to 14 airline and hotel partners. This often provides greater value, especially for flights and hotel stays.
[.favhotels] Our favorite hotels to book with this card [.favhotels]
[.favairlines] Our favorite airlines to fly with this card [.favairlines]
Again, in order for the cash back to convert to points from this card, you need to hold either the Sapphire Preferred or the Sapphire Reserve. In that case, you would have access to these amazing transfer partners:
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If you're looking to make the most of your Chase points, this video has you covered with all the top redemption options. It starts with the basics: cash back, the Chase travel portal, and transferring to Chase's travel partners, before diving into advanced tips. For example, redeeming points through the Chase travel portal can boost their value to 1.5 cents per point with the Sapphire Reserve, while transferring to travel partners like Hyatt or Virgin Atlantic can yield up to 6.7 cents per point. The video also shares insider tricks, like hidden URL hacks for searching award availability with Virgin Atlantic, to maximize your points on high-value redemptions. Anywaaays, Brendan breaks it all down much better than I could, so do yourself a favor and check that out here 👇
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the perfect companion to the Sapphire Preferred when you want to maximize your everyday spending and rewards. With the Freedom Unlimited, you earn unlimited cash back on every purchase, plus generous cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year. Once you’ve secured your cash back, you can then transfer those earnings into Ultimate Rewards points through the Sapphire Preferred, giving you even greater value when booking travel. While the Sapphire Preferred stands out in travel perks, like premium transfer partners and a solid welcome offer, the Freedom Unlimited covers your everyday purchases with a higher cash-back rate. Together, they just make sense.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Capital One Venture X are a great match for people who want to earn rewards across multiple programs (so like...everyone?). While the Freedom Unlimited offers cash back on all purchases, the Venture X comes with exciting perks like Priority Pass lounge access and credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees. What makes this pairing so attractive is the ability to transfer your cash back from the Freedom Unlimited into Ultimate Rewards points, which you can then use alongside the Venture X’s benefits.
Why not double down on your rewards with the Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex? The Freedom Flex offers rotating bonus categories that can earn you cash back on specific purchases, while the Freedom Unlimited give you consistent cash back on everything else. This dynamic duo allows you to maximize your rewards across different spending categories. And, when you combine the Freedom Unlimited with the Freedom Flex, you can pool your cash back and transfer it into Ultimate Rewards points, giving you flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
1. If You Love Chase Cards
If you’re a proud member of the Chase card family (as you should be), then the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a perfect addition to your wallet. This card works beautifully with other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Freedom Flex. The benefits multiply when you pair them together, allowing you to earn and maximize rewards across different categories. By using the Freedom Unlimited for all your everyday purchases, you can accumulate cash-back rewards that can then be converted into Ultimate Rewards points. Plus, there’s no annual fee to worry about, making it a hassle-free way to dive into the world of rewards without breaking the bank.
2. The Cash-Back Enthusiast
Are you all about maximizing your cash-back rewards? The Chase Freedom Unlimited is your best friend in the cash-back game. With no annual fee and unlimited cash back on every purchase, it’s the ideal starter card for those looking to utilize their everyday spending without the worry of category restrictions.
3. The Credit Card Beginner
Cash back is great...yeah. But the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a solid travel companion, especially when you're just getting started. If you enjoy traveling, you’ll love that you can convert your cash back into Ultimate Rewards points, which can then be transferred to an array of travel partners. This card is also a great option for college students or recent grads looking to open their first account. The Freedom Unlimited gives you the flexibility to stretch your travel budget with its earning structure and partnerships, and it’s a smart way to turn those everyday expenses into free (or mostly free) trips.
Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 700, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Freedom Unlimited, is unlikely. But again, some consider this a "beginner card," so it's always worth a shot! Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.
The recommended credit score for the Freedom Unlimited is 670-850 (Good — Excellent). But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, call Chase to please their case, and be granted the Freedom Unlimited.
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