Savor Cash vs. Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Comparison

Name: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Item: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Author: Doug Milnes, CFA

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Both the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offer enticing cash back rewards and introductory APR periods, making them top contenders for if you seek value from your credit card. The Savor Cash edges ahead with its slightly higher cash back score and broad rewards categories.

But the Freedom Unlimited appeals with its introductory offer that can be particularly lucrative in the first year. Both cards stand on equal footing with their recommended credit score range, ensuring accessibility if you have good to excellent credit.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ of 5

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
19.74%–29.74% variable
19.99% - 28.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% for 15 months on purchases
Intro Offer
Earn $250 cash back
$250
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–8% cash back
Earn 1.5%–5% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
5% of each transfer ($5 minimum)
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
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?
The Savor Cash and Freedom Unlimited both offer appealing rewards without an annual fee, but they cater to different spending habits. The Savor Cash is ideal if you spend heavily on dining, entertainment and groceries, offering a $250 welcome offer and higher cash back in these categories.
The Freedom Unlimited may be more beneficial for varied everyday spending with its 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a potential $300 cash back as a welcome bonus. While both cards have similar APRs and fees, the choice boils down to your spending patterns and reward preferences. Choose the Savor Cash for dining and entertainment, or the Freedom Unlimited for a broader cash back program.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Savor Cash if you frequently spend on dining, entertainment and booking travel. With higher cash back rates in these categories and a $200 welcome offer, it rewards your specific spending habits well.

You might prefer the Freedom Unlimited if you value simplicity and flexibility in earning rewards. A flat cash back rate on all purchases and an additional 1.5% cash back in the first year can make this card a lucrative option for all-around spending.

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 you spend heavily on dining and entertainment, Savor Cash's 3% cash back could sway you, while Freedom Unlimited's broader 1.5% cash back on all purchases might appeal for diverse spending.

Regular APR: Savor Cash

The Savor Cash offers a slightly better starting APR range, beginning at 19.74% compared with the Freedom Unlimited's 19.99%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Savor Cash and the Freedom Unlimited have a $0 annual fee, making them equally attractive if you're looking to avoid yearly charges.

Introductory 0% APRs: Freedom Unlimited

For introductory 0% APRs, the Freedom Unlimited edges out slightly better due to its lower balance transfer fee within the first 60 days. Both cards offer a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, but the Freedom Unlimited has a more favorable balance transfer fee structure initially.

Rewards: Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Freedom Unlimited offers better overall value in rewards for most consumers. It provides 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and an additional 1.5% cash back on all other purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year.

By contrast, the Savor Cash offers 8% on Capital One Entertainment, 5% on travel booked through Capital One Travel, and 3% on dining, entertainment and groceries, but it lacks the broad 1.5% back on all purchases.

Welcome Offers: Savor Cash

Both the Savor Cash and Freedom Unlimited offer compelling welcome bonuses, but the former has a lower required spend. The Savor Cash provides a $250 cash bonus after a $500 spend in three months, while the Freedom Unlimited offers up to $300 cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year.

Recommended Credit Score: Freedom Unlimited

The Freedom Unlimited is better for individuals with a wider range of credit scores, as indicated by its lower internal rating for recommended credit. Although both cards target a credit range of 670 to 850, the Freedom Unlimited is rated as more accessible.

Penalties and Fees: Savor Cash

For penalties and fees, the Savor Cash stands out by offering no foreign transaction fees, unlike the Freedom Unlimited, which charges 3% on foreign transactions. Both cards have similar late fees and cash advance fees, making the Savor Cash more favorable for travelers.

Issuer Satisfaction: Savor Cash

When it comes to issuer satisfaction, the Capital One edges out slightly with a rating of 4.2 than Chase's rating of 4.1.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks that cater to different lifestyles. The Savor Cash provides benefits like 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats and complimentary Uber One membership credits, making it appealing for frequent users of Uber services. It also offers 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% on travel booked through Capital One Travel, with no foreign transaction fees.

The Freedom Unlimited offers enhanced cash back on travel through Chase Travel and on drugstore purchases and dining, with the added benefit of free credit score monitoring through Chase Credit Journey. The best card for you depends on which perks align most closely with your spending habits and lifestyle.

Rewards Comparison

The Freedom Unlimited offers a slightly higher expected reward value and a broader rewards rate, making it a strong contender for those seeking versatile cash back options. Its 1.5% cash back on all purchases provides a consistent return across non-category spending.

But the Savor Cash stands out with higher cash back rates in specific categories like dining and entertainment, making it a strong choice for those who spend heavily in these areas. While both cards offer competitive rewards for dining, the Savor Cash's additional cash back on entertainment and grocery stores (excluding superstores) can be particularly beneficial for some spenders.

The bonus categories for each card are detailed below, to help you decide which might align better with your spending habits.

Category	Savor Cash	Freedom Unlimited
Travel	5% if purchased through Capital One Travel	5% if purchased through Chase Travel℠
Dining	3%	3%
Drugstores	1%	3%
Groceries	3% (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)	1.5%
Entertainment	3%	1.5%
Streaming Services	3%	1.5%
Hotels and Rental Cars Booked Through Issuer Portal	5% if booked through Capital One Travel	1.5%
All Other Purchases	1%	1.5%

Redeeming Rewards

The Savor Cash offers several redemption options, including statement credits, checks and gift cards. You can also use rewards to book travel through Capital One. Rewards on this card do not expire as long as the account is active.

The Freedom Unlimited also provides flexibility in redemption, allowing for cash back to be applied as a statement credit or direct deposit, with no minimum redemption amount. Rewards can also be used for Amazon purchases, gift cards, or travel. Like the Savor Cash, the Freedom Unlimited's rewards do not expire, provided the account is kept open.

Methodology

MoneyGeek assesses credit cards like Savor Cash and Freedom Unlimited using a ranking process tailored to different use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers. For this comparison, each card's score reflects their highest-scoring use case, which is cash back for both. 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.

FAQ: Savor Cash vs. Freedom Unlimited

What are the cash back rewards for each card?

The Savor Cash offers 3% on dining and entertainment, while the Freedom Unlimited provides an additional 1.5% on all purchases in the first year.

Do either of the cards have an annual fee?

Both the Savor Cash and the Freedom Unlimited are cards with no annual fee.

What are the introductory offers for these cards?

The Savor Cash has a $250 bonus offer; the Freedom Unlimited offers an extra 1.5% cash back in the first year.

Can I avoid foreign transaction fees with either card?

Savor Cash is a no-foreign-transaction-fee card.

What is the APR after the introductory period?

Savor Cash has a 19.74% to 29.74% variable APR; the Freedom Unlimited ranges from 19.99% - 28.74% variable.

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.

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*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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