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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is a fantastic addition to its family of fantastic cards. Plus, it’s already a major contender, not only in the cash back category, but also in the overall market.
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Initially, it presents itself as a very simple, straightforward card offering a flat cash back rate as opposed to the Chase Freedom Flex. However, as we begin to analyze further, we can understand why it’s already such a popular card.
New cardholders can enjoy earning an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
In addition, you can earn up to 5% cash back on your purchases, enjoy no annual fee, and the opportunity to increase the value of rewards.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Summary
| Bonus Available | Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back! |
| Ongoing Rewards/Benefits | Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
In addition, you can earn (after your first year or $20,000 spent): |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | 3% |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
Convert to Ultimate Rewards Points for More
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® alone is a fantastic cash back card compared to its competitors based on just the return rate alone.
However, when complimented with the Chase Sapphire cards — the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire ReserveSM — it overtakes the competition and may quite possibly be the best cash back card.
To increase the Chase Freedom Unlimited card’s rewards value, transfer the points earned to Chase Sapphire cards to convert to Ultimate Rewards points. Then, redeem them through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
In terms of points, you’ll be earning 1.5 points for every dollar.
Redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel and the value of those points are worth 20% more.
For example, the 15,000 points is worth $180 towards flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Compile your cash back rewards with either Chase Sapphire card. Then, transfer to other Chase partner reward programs at a 1 to 1 ratio.
By doing this, you can enjoy greater flexibility out of your points.
This is highly valuable, especially when you need a few more points to redeem a reward flight or hotel night.
Maximizing Travel Rewards
By itself, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card is a terrific option. In addition, this card will only reward you cash back.
To get the most out of this card and redeem towards travel with more reward options and at a higher redemption rate, you should consider pairing it up with one of the premier Ultimate Rewards cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire ReserveSM Card, or the Chase Ink Business PreferredSM Card.
By doing so, you can pool your points onto your Ultimate Rewards account. Then, use them on a card that’ll give you the highest redemption value.
Redeem rewards through Chase’s travel portal, for a value of 1.25 – 1.50 cents per point. You also have the option to transfer them at 1:1 to your favorite major loyalty program to potentially get even more value.
Maximizing Chase Freedom Unlimited Rewards
To help maximize your rewards and get the best value, you’re able to pair your Chase Freedom Unlimited card with other cards that earn Ultimate Rewards (UR) points. These cards include the following: the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, & Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
Now, there are additional cars that earn UR points, but the previous listed are the best value when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
The other cards that earn Ultimate Rewards listed below – these cards may be used to maximize a specific rewards category that they the other cards may not.
This broadens your redemption options allowing for more flexibility in the rewards you earn & value with your Chase Freedom Unlimited rewards. With that being said, you can transfer your UR points to one of the cards below to get more value (with respect to earn card) – see point values below.
| Paired Ultimate Rewards Card | Point Value |
| Sapphire Preferred | $0.0125 per point |
| Sapphire Reserve | $0.015 per point |
| Ink Business Preferred | $0.0125 per point |
As shown above, you can extended your rewards when paired with one these cards. Your 20k points can now be worth $250 up to $300 when you redeem for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
Now, you’re wondering, how do these points hold the $400 value? With your paired card, you’re able to transfer your UR points at a 1:1 ratio to one of Chase’s list of airline/hotel partners. Through this method, you’ll potentially earn even more value through your bookings.
This has been tested when transferring UR points to United MileagePlus. To the success, the number of UR points had more value when booked via United.
When pairing your card with other UR earning cards, you’re able to transfer points to partner loyalty programs.
Is Flat-Rate Cash Back Better?
Here’s how the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card stacks up against the Chase Freedom Flex Card, a cashback Chase card with different reward percentages.
 The Chase Freedom FlexSM offers a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.24% - 25.99%. You'll earn: • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service • Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases You cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back. This card has no annual fee. |
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card offers an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back! Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.24% - 25.99%. Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). In addition, you can earn (after your first year or $20,000 spent): • 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. There is no minimum to redeem for cash back & your cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open. This card comes with no annual fee and you'll get a free credit score that is updated weekly with Credit JourneySM. |
However, the Freedom rotating bonus categories offer 5% back when you make a purchase in that category. Keep in mind that there’s a $1,500 per quarter limit and the bonus requires activation.
If you’re thinking about getting just one credit card and earning another 3.5% back on specific quarterly purchases is more beneficial to you, you might want to opt for Chase Freedom Flex Card instead.
Bottom Line
Though the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is Chase’s crowd-pleaser, it’s important to note Chase’s 5/24 rule. Essentially, you’re limited up to five credit card applications within two years with most Chase-branded credit cards.
If you already own the Chase Freedom® but feel that the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a better fit, request to switch and avoid a hard credit pull.
If you like your Chase Freedom® card, you can open up a Chase Freedom Unlimited® card today.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is great alone, but is more dynamic and remarkably valuable when accompanied with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
If you’re interested, review our complete list of credit card promotions for other cards to compare. Be sure to check back for the latest promotions from Chase Bank!
*Chase also offers fantastic bonuses with their checking & savings accounts.*
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