Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card Review: The Little Card That Could

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card earns a MoneyGeek Cash Back Score of 4.8 out of 5 and ranks 4th among the 77 cash back cards we reviewed. It stands out by offering a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, combined with unlimited 3% cash back on dining and drugstores. This combination is rare, as most cash back cards with bonus rates typically offer only 1% cash back on other purchases.

Pairing the Freedom Unlimited with other Chase cards allows you to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for a higher value. The card also offers a competitive welcome bonus and a 0% intro period, adding to its appeal.

Not to be confused with the Chase Freedom Flex®, which offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, the Freedom Unlimited provides a simpler, more predictable rewards structure. In our opinion, the Freedom Unlimited is the better card if you’re only going to get one card because of its ease of use. Used together, however, these cards complement each other, maximizing rewards across a wide variety of spending categories.

The Freedom Unlimited's standout feature is a unique cash back system that combines a 1.5% flat cash back rate with elevated rates in specific categories. This sets it apart from many other cards, which typically offer only 1% cash back as a base rate for non-bonus purchases.

Here's how you can earn cash back with the Freedom Unlimited:

• 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase
• 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

The Freedom Unlimited earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed as cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point. Their value significantly increases when you transfer your points to a premium Chase card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Once transferred, you can unlock enhanced redemption options, including travel bookings through Chase's partner airlines and hotels.

The Freedom Unlimited’s intro offer is on par with other no-annual-fee cards, but its welcome bonus is higher than many similar cards.

Introductory APR Offers: The Freedom Unlimited offers a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49% after that, making it a great choice for financing a big purchase or consolidating existing debt. However, this period is shorter than what some dedicated balance transfer cards offer, with intro APRs lasting up to 21 months.

Welcome Bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

The Freedom Unlimited stands out with features that are impressive for a cash back card:

• Purchase Protection: Eligible new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per item.
• Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the manufacturer's U.S. warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Reimbursement up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short by covered situations.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card to receive coverage for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Provides legal and medical referrals and other travel assistance services when you're away from home.
• DashPass Membership: Complimentary three-month membership to DoorDash's DashPass, offering unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders. After that, enjoy 50% off membership for the next nine months.
• 5% Cash Back on Lyft Rides: Earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.

The Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee, and its interest rates and penalties are fairly standard. Here's a breakdown of the fees you can expect:

• Regular APR: Variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• Annual Fee: None.
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40.
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

The Freedom Unlimited card has a 4.1 out of 5 issuer satisfaction rating. This indicates a generally positive reception, though some cards in our reviews rank higher. 

From our research, Chase credit card users often highlight the simplicity of rewards redemption and the versatility of the Ultimate Rewards program as standout features. Many customers appreciate Chase's reliable fraud monitoring and extensive purchase protections, which add value to their experience.

The Freedom Unlimited card is moderately challenging to obtain, requiring applicants to have good to excellent credit.

User experiences from Reddit suggest that Chase often requires a year of credit history for approval, though exceptions exist. Establishing a banking relationship with Chase can improve your chances, as noted by users who found success after opening a Chase account. Initial credit limits tend to be low, but responsible usage can lead to increases over time.

We compare the Freedom Unlimited with other cash back cards to help you decide if it’s right for you.

The Freedom Unlimited is a key component of the "Chase Trifecta" strategy because it earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. By pairing it with the Freedom Flex and a premium card like the Sapphire Preferred or the Sapphire Reserve, you can transfer your points to the premium card. This transfer unlocks higher redemption rates for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or allows you to transfer points to Chase's travel partners for potentially greater value. Together, these cards cover diverse spending categories and maximize your rewards' earning and redemption potential.

Keep in mind Chase’s 5/24 rule, which can restrict approvals if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months. Additionally, Chase allows only one Sapphire card per account holder.

By combining the Freedom Unlimited for flat-rate rewards with the Freedom Flex for bonus categories and a Sapphire card for premium redemption options, you can turn everyday purchases into highly valuable travel rewards.

We evaluated the Freedom Unlimited using our Cash Back Score model, reviewing 77 cards in total. The evaluation considered several factors:

• Effective Reward Rate (50%): Measures how rewarding the card's cash back program is.
• Annual Fee (10%): Rates the annual fee, with 5 indicating no fee.
• Offer ROI (10%): Rates the return on introductory bonus offers.
• Intro Purchase Offer (5%): Rates the 0% APR offer on purchases.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Rates the accessibility based on credit score.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on J.D. Power's issuer satisfaction study.
• Penalties (5%): Rates penalty rates and fees.
• Regular APR (5%): Rates the regular APR.
• Foreign Transaction (5%): Rates foreign transaction fees.

We answer some common questions about the Freedom Unlimited to help you make an informed decision for your wallet.