Chase Freedom Unlimited®
vs. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Updated: June 21, 2024

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Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offer enticing cash back rewards and no annual fee, making them strong contenders for anyone seeking value from their credit card. The SavorOne Cash edges ahead with its slightly higher cash back score and a welcome offer that's easy to attain. It's particularly beneficial if you dine out frequently or use streaming services, thanks to its unlimited 3% cash back in these categories.

But the Freedom Unlimited should not be overlooked because it provides a 0% intro APR and a welcome bonus that could be lucrative if you can maximize the additional cash back in the first year. Both cards cater to the same credit score range, ensuring accessibility for consumers with good to excellent credit.

Credit Card logo for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Credit Card logo for Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    20.49%–29.24% variable
    19.99% - 29.99% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% intro APR for 15 months
    0% for 15 months on purchases
    Intro Offer
    Earn an additional 1.5% cash back
    Earn $200 Cash Back
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1.5% – 6.5% cash back
    Earn 1% to 8% cash back
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
    0% for 15 months on balance transfers
    Balance Transfer Fee
    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
    5% of each transfer ($5 minimum)
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Recommended Credit
    670–850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Penalty APR
    Up to 29.99% (variable)
    Up to 29.99% (variable)
    Not sure?

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the SavorOne Cash if you frequently spend on dining and entertainment. With its higher cash back rates in these categories and no foreign transaction fees, it's tailored for you if you enjoy a night out or travel internationally. The lack of rotating categories also simplifies earning rewards.

You might prefer the Chase Freedom Unlimited if your expenses are more varied and include significant travel booked through Chase. The card's broad cash back categories after the first year can be more rewarding if your spending doesn't align with the SavorOne Cash's bonus categories. Plus, rewards don't expire, offering flexibility.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if dining and entertainment are where you spend most, the SavorOne Cash's rewards structure could be more beneficial. Alternatively, frequent travelers might find the Freedom Unlimited's travel rewards more appealing.

    discount icon

    Regular APR: SavorOne Cash

    The SavorOne Cash offers a slightly lower starting APR, making it potentially more favorable if you’re concerned with interest rates.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Freedom Unlimited and the SavorOne Cash have no annual fee, making them equally attractive if you’re looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Freedom Unlimited

    Both cards offer a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Bu the Freedom Unlimited is slightly more favorable for balance transfers due to its lower introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, within the first 60 days. Afterward, the fee matches the SavorOne Cash's 5%.

    coins icon

    Rewards: Freedom Unlimited

    The Freedom Unlimited edges out the SavorOne Cash in rewards. Although both cards offer valuable cash back in various categories, the Freedom Unlimited provides 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% on all other purchases.

    By contrast, the SavorOne Cash card offers 8% on Capital One Entertainment, 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 3% on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers: Tie

    Both the Freedom Unlimited and the SavorOne Cash offer significant value through their welcome offers, each with an return on investment (ROI) of 0.4.

    The Freedom Unlimited offers an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, potentially worth up to $300 cash back. The SavorOne Cash provides a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Freedom Unlimited and the SavorOne Cash recommend a credit score of 670 to 850 (good to excellent).

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    Penalties and Fees: SavorOne Cash

    The SavorOne Cash is better for penalties and fees, notably offering a 0% foreign transaction fee compared to the 3% fee with the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Both cards have similar late fees and penalty APRs.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: SavorOne Cash

    Capital One is better for issuer satisfaction, with a rating of 4.2 compared with Chase's 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks that cater to different preferences. The Freedom Unlimited provides free access to Chase Credit Journey, enhancing credit monitoring. The SavorOne Cash offers exclusive cash back opportunities with Uber and Uber Eats, Capital One Entertainment, and through Capital One Travel. Choosing depends on your lifestyle and spending habits.

Rewards Comparison

The Freedom Unlimited is a strong contender for general spending. Its 1.5% cash back on all purchases provides a consistent return across the board. But the SavorOne Cash shines with its 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and streaming services, which could be more lucrative if you spend more in these categories. The SavorOne Cash also offers a high 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, which are unique and valuable perks for frequent travelers and entertainment spenders.

Although both cards offer 3% cash back on dining, the SavorOne Cash extends this to entertainment and streaming, potentially offering more value to users in these categories. The following table provides a visual comparison of the bonus categories for each card.

Category
Freedom Unlimited
SavorOne Cash

Travel

5% if purchased through Chase Travel℠

5% if purchased through Capital One Travel

Dining

3%

3%

Drugstores

3%

1%

Grocery Stores

1.5%

3% (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)

Entertainment

1.5%

3%

Redeeming Rewards

With the SavorOne Cash, you can request cash back as a statement credit or check and set up automatic redemptions. Rewards can also be used for travel bookings and don't expire. The Freedom Unlimited also allows for cash back redemption at any time, including for travel, gift cards, or even shopping on Amazon, with no expiration as long as the account remains open.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Freedom Unlimited and SavorOne Cash using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Freedom Unlimited vs. SavorOne Cash

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Do either of the cards have an annual fee?
What are the introductory APR offers for these cards?
Can I earn rewards on travel with either card?
Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


*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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