Discover it® Cash Back Card
vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Both the Discover it® Cash Back Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fee, making them strong contenders for your wallet. If maximizing cash back is your goal, the Chase Freedom Unlimited edges ahead with its higher overall cash back score and a generous introductory offer.

However, for those who prefer an excellent balance transfer card, the Discover it Cash Back has a competitive introductory APR offer and a unique cash back match feature in the first year. While both cards cater to the same credit score range, the Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories could be a draw for those who don't mind keeping track of the bonus rewards calendar.

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you are organized and can take full advantage of the rotating bonus categories to earn higher cash back rates. The unique first-year cash back match can significantly boost your rewards, especially if you plan your purchases around the bonus categories.

You might prefer the Freedom Unlimited if you value a consistent cash back rate on all purchases and want to earn more on travel, dining and drugstore purchases without worrying about activating bonus categories. The additional cash back in the first year on up to $20,000 spent can be a substantial perk if your spending aligns with these categories.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features clarifies which card aligns with your spending and financial goals. For instance, if you frequently spend on dining and travel, Freedom Unlimited's rewards structure could be advantageous. If you prefer maximizing cash back through rotating categories, Discover it Cash Back may suit your strategy.

The Freedom Unlimited card leads with a strong rewards program, offering 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% on all other purchases. Its introductory offer is particularly attractive, providing an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year.

While the Discover it Cash Back card doesn't match these rates on everyday spending, its rotating 5% cash back categories, which are announced quarterly, can be highly lucrative if they align with your spending patterns. These categories include spending areas such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and Amazon.com. Activation is required, so staying informed and proactive is key to maximizing the 5% cash back offer.

The table below details each card's bonus categories, helping you compare their rewards programs at a glance.

Discover it Cash Back allows you to redeem cash back rewards at any time as statement credit, gift cards, donations or an electronic deposit to an account you choose. Rewards do not expire, but any accumulated cash back is forfeited if the account is inactive for 18 months or closed.

Freedom Unlimited allows for cash back redemption at any amount, with no expiration as long as the account remains open. Options include statement credits, direct deposits, Amazon's shop with points and gift cards.

MoneyGeek conducts thorough reviews and evaluations of credit cards like the Discover it Cash Back and Freedom Unlimited using a ranking process tailored to specific use cases. For instance, the Discover it Cash Back is assessed for its balance transfer features, while the Freedom Unlimited is gauged on its cash back rewards.

For balance transfer cards, the biggest factors influencing these scores include the introductory purchase APR and the regular APR; for cash back cards, the influencing factors are the effective reward rate and the regular APR for cash back rewards.