As a cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® delivers a great treat for new cardholders followed by high ongoing value at a low cost. Its best features include:
Potentially rich sign-up bonus
Unlike a standard credit card bonus, which pays you a lump sum once you hit a specific spending amount, the bonus on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes in the form of higher reward rates in the first year, which, depending on how much you spend, can really add up: 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! (NOTE: This offer is available when you apply through NerdWallet. If you apply directly with Chase or through a different website, you may not be eligible for this offer.)
Comparable no-fee cash-back cards nowadays offer bonuses of around $200.
Useful bonus categories
The bonus rewards categories are useful and lucrative:
3% back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
3% back on drugstore purchases.
5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.
Restaurants and drugstores are especially useful rewards categories for many households. Spend $3,000 a year combined in those categories, and you’ll earn $90 annually.
And if you book travel through Chase, 5% can add up quickly on pricey travel itineraries. Vacation travel costing $6,000 gets you back $300, for example.
1.5% on 'everything else'
Cash-back credit cards with bonus categories, like 3% back on restaurants, typically offer 1% cash back on “everything else.” The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers 1.5% back on everything else.
While 0.5% more doesn’t seem like much, it adds up for big spenders because it has no limit. And many big-ticket expenses seldom fall neatly into typical bonus categories — think medical bills, car tires and furnace repair.
For those who spend a lot, say $5,000 per month on “everything else,” the extra 0.5% rate on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® means an extra $300 a year in cash back, compared with its typical competitors.
Point transfers to maximize value
Because Chase allows you to transfer its points among cards that earn them, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be a cornerstone of a strategy to get maximum value out of every dollar you spend. If you have multiple Chase cards, you can:
Earn more points by splitting your spending between this card and the Chase Freedom Flex. By using the Chase Freedom Flex for purchases in the 5% bonus categories and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® on all other spending, you'd boost your overall rewards earnings significantly.
Get more value per point by transferring rewards to a card with elevated redemption values. Points earned with this card are usually worth a penny apiece. But several Chase cards give you more value per point when you use them to book travel through Chase's online portal, operated by Expedia:
These three cards also allow you to transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to about a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Marriott and Hyatt. Depending on how you use transferred points, you could reap even more value.
FAQs
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is hard to get. You need a good credit score of 700 or higher, and enough income to afford at least the minimum monthly payments on the Freedom Unlimited card to have a good chance of being approved.
Is Chase Freedom Unlimited legit? ›
Our Verdict. Those looking for an all-around workhorse of a card would be wise to consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. This $0 annual fee card notches above-average earnings on travel, dining at restaurants and drugstores, plus a blanket 1.5% cash back on all other areas of spending.
What credit score do you need for Chase Freedom Unlimited? ›
Most successful applicants have good credit or excellent credit. Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit score: 670 or higher here as well. Chase Freedom Rise℠ credit score: no minimum credit score but it is designed for consumers who are building credit. You can potentially qualify for it even with no credit history.
What card is better freedom or freedom unlimited? ›
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the better choice if you want a card with simpler terms. It's better for the budgeter. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is more predictable. You don't need to tailor your spending to rotating bonus categories to get a good rewards rate.
What income is needed for Chase Freedom Unlimited? ›
While the terms and conditions of the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card do not disclose a specific minimum income requirement, the higher your income is, the more likely you are to be approved. Your income will also play a big part in determining your credit limit, with higher incomes generally leading to higher limits.
What is the highest credit limit for Chase Freedom Unlimited? ›
Chase doesn't publicly disclose a maximum credit limit for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. But some customers have said that they have received limits of almost $14,000. If you want a limit that high, you'll need spotless credit, a very high income to afford the payments, and low existing debt.
How likely am I to get approved for Chase Freedom Unlimited? ›
Your card approval odds are good if you have a credit score of 700+, which is considered good credit. Approval odds for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card will also be influenced by your annual income and existing debts. Applicants will need to be 18+ years old with a U.S. mailing address and an SSN or ITIN, as well.
Why switch to freedom unlimited? ›
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a popular cash back card offering many benefits and rewards. It has no annual fee and earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it ideal for those who want to earn elevated base rewards on all spending.
Is Chase Freedom Unlimited accepted everywhere? ›
Chase Freedom is accepted everywhere in the U.S. It's on the Visa credit card network, which means you can use the card at millions of merchants both nationwide and internationally.
Which Chase card is hardest to get? ›
Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the hardest credit cards to get approved for by virtue of the fact that it is one of the best rewards cards on the market. From its initial bonus of 60,000 points to the ...
Many card issuers have criteria for who can qualify for new accounts, but Chase is perhaps the most strict. Chase's 5/24 rule means that you can't be approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any card issuer) within the past 24 months.
What's the easiest Chase credit card to get? ›
The Chase Freedom Rise® card is the easiest Chase credit card to get. But you still need good credit to get approved for the Chase Freedom Rise.
Why is Chase Freedom Unlimited so good? ›
Detailed Review. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a compelling combination of valuable rewards, flexible redemption options, a lengthy 0% introductory APR period and a sign-up bonus that's worth more than most cash-back cards offer — all for an annual fee of $0.
How many credit cards should you have? ›
Credit bureaus suggest that five or more accounts — which can be a mix of cards and loans — is a reasonable number to build toward over time. Having very few accounts can make it hard for scoring models to render a score for you.
Can I upgrade my Chase Freedom card to Freedom Unlimited? ›
Yes, you can upgrade your Chase Freedom card to Chase Freedom Unlimited®. To do so, call customer service at (800) 945-2000. A representative will review your account to make sure you're eligible.
What are my odds of getting Chase Freedom Unlimited? ›
Your card approval odds are good if you have a credit score of 700+, which is considered good credit. Approval odds for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card will also be influenced by your annual income and existing debts. Applicants will need to be 18+ years old with a U.S. mailing address and an SSN or ITIN, as well.
What is the easiest Chase credit card to get approved for? ›
The best Chase starter credit card is the Chase Freedom Rise® because it accepts applicants with good credit history and reports to the three major credit bureaus on a monthly basis. The Chase Freedom Rise® also rewards cardholders with 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and it has a $0 annual fee.
How long does it take to get approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited? ›
Generally within 14 days of submitting your credit card application, you should receive a decision or a follow-up on your application. It can also take as little as an hour. There are a few major factors that affect the timing.
