Chase Freedom Unlimited overview
The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited is well suited to both occasional and frequent travelers. While many cards offer 1% back on purchases outside bonus categories, Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% back on nonbonus spending. Paired with a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, you can convert your cash back into transferable points. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
At first glance it may seem like a straightforward cash-back card, but its combination of no annual fee, solid bonus categories and a higher flat rate on all other spending makes it a versatile choice for beginners and experienced rewards collectors alike. A credit score of roughly 670 or higher is typically needed.
Pros and cons
Pros
– No annual fee
– Strong earning rates
– Unlimited cash back
– Pairs with premium Chase cards for transferability
Cons
– Limited travel benefits compared with premium cards
– Foreign transaction fees
Welcome offer
New cardholders can earn $300 cash back after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. This limited-time offer makes now a good time to apply for many consumers. Remember Chase’s 5/24 rule may affect approval.
Benefits
As a no-annual-fee card, Freedom Unlimited doesn’t match premium cards for perks, but it offers useful protections:
– Rental car coverage: Secondary reimbursement for theft and collision damage in the U.S.
– Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for eligible expenses.
– Extended warranty protection: Extends eligible original warranties of three years or less by one year.
– Purchase protection: Covers theft and damage for 120 days after purchase, up to $500 per item.
These protections make it a solid everyday card if you don’t already have more robust travel or purchase coverage on another card.
Earning cash back
Typical earning structure:
– 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
– 3% back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery)
– 3% back at drugstores
– 1.5% back on all other purchases
While the bonus categories aren’t exceptional, the 1.5% flat rate on everything else is above the standard 1% and is the card’s standout feature.
Redeeming cash back
Rewards redeem at 1 cent each as a statement credit, direct deposit to most U.S. checking or savings accounts, gift cards, or for travel booked through Chase Travel. If you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can combine Freedom Unlimited rewards with those cards and convert cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards points, then transfer to airline and hotel partners for greater value.
Transferring with a Chase pairing
Alone, Freedom Unlimited is a cash-back card and does not allow direct transfers to travel partners. However, when paired with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred), you can combine rewards and transfer them to partners like World of Hyatt, British Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer and United MileagePlus. This unlocking of transferability is a primary reason many people keep Freedom Unlimited in their portfolio.
Competitors
Depending on your spending mix, other no-annual-fee cash-back cards may be better fits:
– Chase Freedom Flex®: 5% back in rotating quarterly categories (after activation) on up to $1,500 combined purchases; also pairs with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
– Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express: 3% back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail and U.S. gas stations (up to limits).
– Citi Double Cash®: Effectively 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay), a strong option if you want a higher flat-rate cash-back return.
Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited worth it?
For a no-annual-fee card, Freedom Unlimited offers strong value. Its 1.5% on nonbonus purchases makes it a great everyday card, and its bonus categories add incremental value. The card is especially worthwhile if you already have—or plan to get—a Chase Ultimate Rewards card, enabling transfers to loyalty partners for outsized redemption value. If your priority is pure cash back at higher flat rates, a 2% cash-back card may be preferable.
Bottom line
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is an excellent choice for everyday nonbonus spending and becomes especially powerful when paired with a premium Chase card that allows you to convert rewards into transferable Ultimate Rewards points. Whether you’re starting your rewards journey or adding a complementary card to a larger portfolio, Freedom Unlimited is a flexible, no-fee option that earns meaningful rewards.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
*Card rating is based on the opinion of editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
