Chase Freedom Unlimited Review

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card has long been a top contender in the cash back credit card space, offering flexible rewards, strong welcome bonuses, and excellent redemption options. But how does it compare to competitors, and what unique benefits might others miss? This in-depth review covers everything you need to know.

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Quick Overview

• Sign-Up Bonus: $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel for the first year (up to $6,000 spent).
• Earning Rates:
  • 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% back on all other purchases
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%
• Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then 20.49% – 29.24% variable APR)

Freedom Unlimited at a Glance

	Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
Annual Fee	None
Sign-up Bonus	Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
Ongoing rewards	– 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. – 3% back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services. – 3% back on drugstore purchases. – 1.5% cash back on everything else.
Foreign transaction fee	– 3%
APR	– 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49% to 28.24% Variable APR, based on credit worthiness
Value of points redeemed through chase rewards	– The value per point is equal to 1 cent per point
Additional benefits	– Purchase protection. – Extended warranty protection. – Trip cancellation/interruption insurance. – Secondary rental car coverage. – Travel and emergency assistance services.
Limited time offers	– Welcome Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.  – Complimentary DoorDash DashPass Membership: Activate between February 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027, to receive 6 months of free DashPass, offering benefits on both DoorDash and Caviar.  – 5% Cash Back on Lyft Rides: Enjoy 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025.

What Makes Chase Freedom Unlimited Stand Out?

1. Higher Base Cash Back Rate Than Competitors

While most no-annual-fee cards offer a 1% base rate on non-category spending, Chase Freedom Unlimited gives you 1.5% on everything—a major advantage for those who don’t want to track spending categories.

2. Travel Perks with Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Booking through Chase Travel unlocks a 5% cash back rate, beating most competing cash back cards that only provide 1%-2% on travel. Plus, if paired with a Chase Sapphire card, rewards can be converted into Ultimate Rewards pointsfor higher redemption values.

3. Unique Purchase Protections & Perks

Unlike many other cash back cards, Chase Freedom Unlimited includes:

• Purchase Protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $500 per claim, $50,000 per account).
• Extended Warranty: Adds an extra year to eligible manufacturer warranties.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Covers up to $1,500 per person ($6,000 per trip) for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses.

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Where Competitors Fall Short

While many competitors offer similar cash back rates, here are areas where Freedom Unlimited outshines them:

• Citi Double Cash® Card: While Citi offers 2% back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay), it lacks bonus categories like dining and travel.
• Capital One Quicksilver®: Offers only 1.5% flat cash back but lacks the travel and dining bonuses that Freedom Unlimited provides.
• Discover it® Cash Back: Has rotating 5% categories, but these require activation and may not always align with your spending.

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Best Ways to Maximize the Chase Freedom Unlimited

1. Pair with a Chase Sapphire Card: If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer your rewards and get 25%-50% more value on travel redemptions.
2. Use for Non-Bonus Spending: The 1.5% base rate is better than most other flat-rate cards.
3. Leverage Chase Travel for 5% Back: If you frequently book travel, using Chase’s portal can boost your rewards significantly.

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Potential Downsides

• Foreign Transaction Fees: At 3%, this isn’t the best card for international travel. Consider a no-foreign-transaction-fee card like the Capital One VentureOne® instead.
• Requires Good to Excellent Credit: Approval typically requires a credit score of 670+.

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Final Verdict: Who Should Get the Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a top-tier everyday spending card thanks to its high flat-rate cash back, category bonuses, and strong Chase Travel rewards. It’s ideal for:

– Beginners looking for a simple but rewarding card
– Chase ecosystem users who can transfer points for travel perks
– Anyone wanting a no-annual-fee card with solid purchase protections

However, if you need a higher travel redemption rate or plan to use it abroad frequently, consider pairing it with another travel-friendly card.

Bottom Line:

Best for everyday spending and Chase point maximization
 Not ideal for international travelers due to foreign transaction fees

What do you think of the Chase Freedom Unlimited? Let us know in the comments below!