Find Your Best
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
vs. Chase Freedom Flex® Card
Updated: March 19, 2024
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With Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex℠, you’ll get a $200 welcome bonus on spending $500 within the first three months of account opening. Both cards also have no annual fee and offer valuable rewards.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Chase Freedom Flex℠ comparison shows that while both cards are pretty similar in many aspects like the welcome bonus, annual fees and the intro APR offer — there is a key difference in their rewards structures. MoneyGeek’s comparison will help you understand the difference between both cards so you can choose the option which fits your needs.
Comparison Overview: Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Freedom Flex® Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®Chase Freedom Flex® Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited® At a Glance
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card — you’ll get a 5% cash back on gas station purchases up to $6,000 in the first year, 3% cash back on drugstores and restaurant purchases, 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. This card also offers a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months after account opening.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back
- 1.5%–6.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 20.49%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 0% intro APR offer
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
Key Features
- Card Uses: Cash Back, Balance Transfer, Zero Interest
- Annual Fee: $0
- Introductory Offer: Earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 5% cash back on travel through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1.5% on all other purchases.
APR and Fees
- Introductory APRs: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Regular APRs: 19.99% - 28.74% variable
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable
- Balance Transfer Fees: Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Late Fees: Up to $40
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Perks and Protections
- Zero Liability Protection
- Extended Warranty Protection
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
- Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
- DashPass Membership
- $10 Off Quarterly on DoorDash Non-Restaurant Orders
- Chase Pay Over Time
Chase Freedom Flex® Card At a Glance
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card offers you a welcome bonus of $200 after you spend $500 within three months of account opening. The unique feature of the rewards program of this card is that you can get a 5% cashback up to $1,500 in purchases on rotating bonus categories in every quarter — only if you activate it. The rewards you earn with this card do not expire as long as your account stays open.
- Chase Freedom Flex® Card
An easy-to-use cash back card with quarterly rotating bonus categories
- 1%–5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 20.49%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- High cash back on rotating categories
- Good cash back on dining and drugstores
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Sign up bonus
Cons
- Rotating categories require activation
- Requires good to excellent credit
Introductory Offers
- Cash Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After the introductory period, the variable APR ranges from 19.99% to 28.74%.
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer, with a minimum of $5.
Cash Back
- Rotating Categories: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating categories each quarter (activation required).
- Fixed Categories: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% on all other purchases.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Points can be redeemed for cash back or transferred to Chase Sapphire cards for travel rewards.
APRs, Fees, and Penalties
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Regular APR: 19.99% - 28.74% variable.
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable for late or missed payments.
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of the transferred amount (minimum $5).
- Late Fees: Up to $40 for missed payments.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% on each transaction made outside the U.S.
Perks & Benefits
- Zero Liability Protection: Protection against unauthorized purchases.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible purchases.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Reimbursement for covered travel disruptions.
- Cell Phone Protection: Coverage for damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with the card.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Provides primary rental car insurance when you decline the rental company’s insurance.
- DashPass Membership: Complimentary access to DashPass, offering discounts on food delivery with DoorDash.
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek analyzed the difference between Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ to help you decide which card would be the best fit for your needs.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection | Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex℠ offer reimbursement up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip in case your travel plans get canceled due to sickness or other covered conditions. These cards also offer purchase protection against theft or damage up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per accident for 120 days after a new purchase. However, Chase Freedom Flex℠ also offers cell phone protection for theft or damage up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year. Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠ |
Rewards | While both cards offer a 5% cash back on gas station purchases up to $6,000 in the first year, 3% cash back on drugstores and restaurants purchases, 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards — Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a 5% cash back on making purchases in rotating categories in each quarter you activate. The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a 1.5% cash back on all other purchases while the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a 1% cash back. Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠ |
Annual Fee | Both Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex℠ charge a $0 annual fee. However, since Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a welcome bonus worth $200 and a 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories, it’s the better option. Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠ |
Which Card Should You Get?
Before choosing a card, you should consider your needs first. MoneyGeek analyzed below whether you should get the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card.
Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
People who are looking for an all-purpose credit card with a simple rewards structure would benefit the most from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card.
Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom Flex® Card?
If you’re looking for a credit card with a high rewards rate across many different categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card may be the best option for you.
EXPERT OPINION
The choice on this one is simple. If you can take advantage of the rotating 5% categories and own an expensive smartphone like an iPhone, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is the better of the two options. If you don’t find value in the 5% cash back categories or the cell phone insurance, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® will suffice. But overall, both cards are nearly identical and can benefit a large amount of consumers.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
MoneyGeek researched the following frequently asked questions to help you understand the difference between the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ and make the best decision for you.
Is Chase Freedom Unlimited® better than Chase Freedom Flex℠?
If you’re looking for a card with structured cash back categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card would be a good option for you. However, if you want a high rewards rate and feel comfortable managing quarterly categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ would be a better option.
Can you get Chase Freedom Unlimited® if you have Chase Freedom Flex℠?
Yes, it’s possible to get the Chase Freedom Unlimited® if you have the Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Can you transfer points from Chase Freedom Unlimited® to Chase Freedom Flex℠?
Yes, you can transfer points between the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card.
Can you switch from Chase Freedom Unlimited® to Chase Freedom Flex℠?
Yes, it’s possible to switch from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to the Chase Freedom Flex℠ by requesting a product change.
What’s harder to get, Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex℠?
Both cards require you to have good to excellent credit scores. You can gauge your odds of approval by using the Chase pre-approval online tool.
How much do you have to spend for Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Chase Freedom Flex℠ to get the welcome bonus?
Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ require you to spend $500 within the first three months to earn the welcome bonus.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
MoneyGeek compared the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ to help you make a better decision. However, if you’re still having difficulty choosing — you can look over the best rewards credit cards to see if one of the other options would be a better fit.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- Chase Bank. "Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.
- Chase Bank. "Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.