Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Review
Written by
Andrea Norris
Edited by
Lindsey Kloosterman
Commitment to Our Readers
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20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
GOBankingRates Score
-
Cash Back
5.0
-
Rewards
5.0
Pros
- Unlimited cash back
- No annual feeÂ
- Rewards points don't expireÂ
Cons
- High regular annual percentage rate compared to some other cards
Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Overview
While the Chase Freedom Unlimited card may not have the lowest APR out there, its special unlimited cash back offer and nonexistent annual fee nicely complement your cash-back rewards. You’ll earn 1.5% to 3% cash back on most purchases, and you’ll find that Chase’s rewards redemption options can help you save in several ways.
New card members receive a 15-month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases. After that, the card comes with a APR.
Key Features
Take a closer look at the Freedom Unlimited card’s key features to determine if it’s the right cash-back card for you.
Cash Back
The Freedom Unlimited card keeps its cash-back rewards structure reasonably simple, and there are no caps on how much you can earn. There is also a special welcome offer where you can 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 Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
After the first year, travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards will earn 5% cash back. Drugstore purchases, restaurant spending, takeout and select food deliveries earn 3% cash back. Everything else earns 1.5%.
Rewards
Chase rewards don’t expire, and there is no minimum redemption requirement. Chase values points for most redemption options at $1 per 100 points. You can use points in several ways, from statement credits to paying for products or services with points, booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards site and more.
APR
The card comes with an introductory 0% APR for the first 15 months for balance transfers or card purchases, then a APR.
Fees
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card has no annual fee. However, the card does have a balance transfer fee of 3% or $5 (whichever is greater) for transfers initiated in the first 60 days after account opening and 5% or $5 for transfers after the initial 60 days. Foreign transaction fees are 3%. The card’s late fee can set you back as much as $40.
How the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Stands Out
The unlimited 1.5% cash back you can earn on everyday purchases gives this card an edge over cards that only offer 1% or that have rewards limits. Its simple rewards program means you don’t have to deal with rotating rewards categories, and its many point redemption options allow you to maximize your earnings.
Comparable Cash-Back Credit Card Options
Here’s a look at how the Chase Freedom Unlimited card compares to two similar alternatives.
The Chase Freedom Flex card is like the Freedom Unlimited card in almost every way other than the rewards program.
With Freedom Flex, you only earn 1% cash back on everyday purchases outside of the categories that earn 3% or 5% cash back. However, the Freedom Flex allows you to activate rotating quarterly bonus categories, such as purchases at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) or gas stations, on which you earn 5% on up to $1,500 in purchases.
The Freedom Flex card has the same introductory 0% APR offer as the Freedom Unlimited card. After the 15-month introductory period, it comes with a APR.
The Freedom Flex card offers a $200 bonus, which you can earn by spending $500 in the first three months.
Capital One Quicksilver
The Capital One Quicksilver card is another low-cost option that offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases without the hassle of rotating or tiered rewards categories. The card has no annual or foreign transaction fees and a APR, which applies once the 15-month 0% APR period ends.
Quicksilver offers a $200 bonus for new carholders who spend $500 within the first three months.
How To Apply
You can apply for the Freedom Unlimited card on the Chase website. To apply, you’ll need to provide personal and employment information on the secure application. During the application process, you can also set up initial balance transfer requests for Chase to initiate if approved.
Who the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Is Best For
This card is best for individuals looking to earn cash back on everyday purchases without the hassle of keeping track of rotating spending categories or deadlines, or the need to activate offers. It’s also ideal if you don’t want to be limited to a few point redemption options.Â
Final Take
Chase Freedom Unlimited is a solid, low-fee rewards credit card that will help you get some cash back on your card spending, but it isn’t necessarily the only card you should have. Depending on your spending habits, you may benefit more from pairing the Chase Freedom Unlimited card with another rewards card that can allow you to earn more on specific purchases, such as gas or groceries. As long as you can pay off your card balance in full, the approach could help you save money and get some additional perks out of your card usage.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Card FAQ
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.- What's the difference between Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited?
- The primary difference between Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited is the cash-back rewards. The Freedom Flex card offers 1% cash back on everyday purchases outside of the categories that earn 3% or 5% cash back, but it allows you to activate quarterly bonus categories that earn 5% on up to $1,500 in purchases for the quarter. The Freedom Unlimited card doesn't have rotating bonus categories, but it does pay 1.5% on everyday purchases outside of the categories that earn 3% or 5% cash back.
- What is the minimum credit limit for Chase Freedom Unlimited?
- According to the card's terms and conditions, Chase will review your credit report and other factors to determine your card eligibility and credit limit. The minimum credit limit for the Platinum version of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is $500. The Signature version of the card has a minimum credit limit of $5,000.
- What is the catch with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card?
- There is no catch with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. You earn cash-back rewards on every eligible purchase without a limit on how much you can earn, and your rewards don't expire.
- Is Chase Freedom Unlimited good for beginners?
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a good option for beginners who are looking for a straightforward cash-back credit card with no annual fee and no rotating bonus categories to keep track of.
Cynthia Bowman contributed to the reporting for this article.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of May 15, 2023.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
The information related to Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex was collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of these cards. Product details may vary. Please see the issuer’s website for current information. GOBankingRates does not receive commission for these products.
