Key Points

• The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases plus 3% on dining and drugstores and 5% on Chase Travel with no annual fee.
• The $200 welcome bonus after $500 spend in 3 months pairs with strong ongoing earning for a no-fee card.
• Best for Chase ecosystem builders who want solid everyday earning that pairs with Sapphire cards for enhanced travel value.

Introduction

The Chase Freedom Unlimited takes a straightforward approach to rewards: 1.5% back on everything you buy, with bonus categories on dining, drugstores, and travel booked through Chase. With no annual fee and access to Chase's Ultimate Rewards program, it's become one of the most popular everyday spending cards for people building a travel rewards strategy. If you're looking for a simple cash-back card that converts into a powerful travel tool when paired with Sapphire cards, the Freedom Unlimited deserves serious consideration. Let's break down who benefits most from this card and how it compares to both basic cash-back options and rotating category alternatives.

Quick Summary

Best For: Everyday spending in the Chase ecosystem
Standout Benefit: Ultimate Rewards points become 25-50% more valuable with Sapphire cards
Biggest Drawback: Base 1.5% rate trails flat 2% cards like Citi Double Cash
Current Offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months

Apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Unlimited Overview

Chase launched the Freedom Unlimited as their simplified rewards card - no rotating categories to track, no spending caps to monitor, just consistent earning on every purchase. The card targets people who want rewards without complexity and those building a Chase card collection for travel.

The Freedom Unlimited earns Ultimate Rewards points (not just cash back), which matters significantly. While you can redeem points for cash at 1 cent per point (making it effectively 1.5% cash back), holding a Sapphire card transforms these points into travel currency worth 1.25-1.5 cents each. This 25-50% value boost turns modest everyday spending into meaningful travel rewards.

Current welcome offer provides $200 (20,000 points) after spending just $500 in 3 months. That's one of the easiest bonus requirements in travel cards, achievable through normal spending in the first month for most cardholders. The $200 bonus equals earning 1.5% on $13,333 worth of purchases - giving you over a year's worth of rewards upfront.

Key Features and Benefits

Earning Structure

The Freedom Unlimited keeps rewards simple with four earning rates:

5x points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel. This matches Chase's Sapphire cards when booking through their portal. A $500 hotel stay earns 2,500 points, worth $25 in cash back or potentially $31.25-37.50 in travel value with a Sapphire card.

3x points per dollar on dining worldwide and at U.S. drugstores. This covers restaurants, bars, food delivery services, and purchases at CVS, Walgreens, and other pharmacy chains. Spending $400 monthly on dining earns 14,400 points annually worth $144 in cash or up to $216 in travel.

1.5x points per dollar on everything else. Groceries, gas, utilities, online shopping - all earn the flat 1.5% rate. This simplicity means you'll never miss bonus categories or hit spending caps.

The drugstore category surprises many cardholders with its versatility. CVS and Walgreens sell groceries, household supplies, beauty products, and gift cards - all earning 3x points. Strategic drugstore shopping can significantly boost your rewards.

Ultimate Rewards Flexibility

Your points live in the Ultimate Rewards program, providing three redemption options:

Cash back at 1 cent per point equals 1.5% back on all spending, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on Chase Travel. Redeem points as statement credits, direct deposits to checking accounts, or checks by mail.

Chase Travel redemptions at 1 cent per point when redeeming without a Sapphire card. Book flights, hotels, and car rentals through Chase's portal using points at face value.

Enhanced value with Sapphire cards multiplies point worth. Transfer Freedom Unlimited points to a Sapphire Preferred account, and they become worth 1.25 cents each for travel. Transfer to a Sapphire Reserve, and they jump to 1.5 cents per point. This 25-50% boost transforms everyday spending into premium travel value.

Additional Benefits

No annual fee means the card costs nothing to keep open long-term. Unlike competitors charging $95-695 annually, you'll never debate whether the card justifies its cost.

No foreign transaction fees saves 3% on international purchases. Use the card abroad without penalty fees eating into your rewards.

Cell phone protection provides up to $600 coverage (minus $25 deductible) against theft or damage when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card. Make one claim per 12-month period, covering multiple phones on family plans.

Purchase protection covers new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days up to $10,000 per claim.

Extended warranty protection extends manufacturer warranties by one additional year on warranties of three years or less.

Zero liability protection means you're not responsible for unauthorized charges when reported promptly.

Real-World Value Analysis

Let's calculate actual earning for a typical Freedom Unlimited user:

Annual spending breakdown:

• $4,800 on dining ($400/month): 14,400 points
• $1,200 on drugstores ($100/month): 3,600 points
• $1,000 on Chase Travel bookings: 5,000 points
• $18,000 on everything else ($1,500/month): 27,000 points
• Total annual earning: 50,000 points

Redemption value at different levels:

• Cash back (1 cent): $500
• With Sapphire Preferred (1.25 cents): $625
• With Sapphire Reserve (1.5 cents): $750

Add the $200 welcome bonus, and first-year value ranges from $700-950 depending on redemption strategy. Not bad for a no-annual-fee card.

Cell phone protection value:The $600 coverage (minus $25 deductible) provides $575 maximum protection. If you pay a $100 monthly cell bill, you're spending $1,200 annually to unlock this benefit. One claim replacing a $1,000 phone pays for itself nearly twice over.

Pros and Cons

Pros

No annual fee makes this a keeper card long-term. You'll never need to debate closing it to avoid fees, and it costs nothing to keep your Ultimate Rewards account active indefinitely. This matters especially for preserving points when downgrading from Sapphire cards.

The 1.5% flat rate captures everything without spending caps or category limits. Freedom Flex cardholders must activate rotating 5x categories quarterly and stop earning bonuses after $1,500 in category spending. The Freedom Unlimited just works automatically on every purchase, year-round.

Ultimate Rewards points gain 25-50% more value with Sapphire cards. That $1,500 monthly grocery spending earning 1.5x points becomes worth $337.50 annually instead of $270 when you have a Sapphire Reserve. The ecosystem approach multiplies rewards beyond what flat cash-back cards offer.

The dining and drugstore categories hit everyday spending most people can't avoid. Even if you're not a big restaurant person, food delivery and takeout count. The drugstore category covers pharmacy purchases, household items, and gift cards at CVS and Walgreens.

Cell phone protection adds genuine value for families. Covering multiple phones on one account with up to $600 protection per claim (one annually) provides peace of mind that dedicated phone insurance services charge $10-15 monthly to match.

Cons

The 1.5% base rate trails 2% flat-rate cards like Citi Double Cash and Alliant Cashback Visa. If you're not leveraging the Chase ecosystem or transferring points to Sapphire cards, you're earning 25% less than these alternatives. The Freedom Unlimited only pulls ahead when you're multiplying point value through Sapphire cards.

Limited bonus categories compared to Freedom Flex's rotating 5x option. While simplicity appeals to some users, you're leaving rewards on the table during quarters when Freedom Flex earns 5x at gas stations, grocery stores, or Amazon. Many cardholders hold both to capture maximum rewards.

No welcome bonus on international travel like some competitors. Cards like Capital One SavorOne offer the same no-annual-fee structure with no foreign transaction fees, but the Freedom Unlimited doesn't sweeten international spending beyond the base rate.

Points lose significant value without a Sapphire card. At 1 cent redemptions, you're getting basic 1.5% cash back that underperforms 2% cards. The Freedom Unlimited shows its true power only within the larger Chase ecosystem, making it less attractive as a standalone card.

Chase's 5/24 rule means you might not get approved. If you've opened 5+ credit cards in the past 24 months, Chase automatically denies applications. This makes the Freedom Unlimited harder to access than bank-agnostic options like Citi Double Cash.

How the Freedom Unlimited Compares

Versus Chase Freedom Flex

The Freedom Flex charges no annual fee and earns 5x on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter), 5x on Chase Travel, 3x on dining and drugstores, and 1x on everything else. Choose Freedom Flex if you're organized enough to track quarterly categories and spend enough in rotating categories to justify the complexity. Pick Freedom Unlimited for true set-it-and-forget-it simplicity.

Many cardholders hold both - using Freedom Flex for activated categories and Freedom Unlimited for everything else. Points from both cards pool in Ultimate Rewards, creating a comprehensive earning strategy.

Versus Citi Double Cash

The Citi Double Cash earns 2% cash back on everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) with no annual fee. It's simpler - just 2% flat always. Choose Citi Double Cash if you want maximum cash back without card ecosystems. Pick Freedom Unlimited if you're building Chase points for travel through Sapphire cards or prefer the 3x dining/drugstore categories.

The math shifts around $10,000 annual spending in dining and drugstores. Below this, Double Cash often wins with its higher base rate. Above it, Freedom Unlimited's bonus categories deliver more value even without Sapphire cards.

Versus Capital One Quicksilver

The Quicksilver earns 1.5% cash back on everything with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It's nearly identical to Freedom Unlimited as a standalone card. Choose Quicksilver for simplicity and easier approval (no 5/24 rule). Pick Freedom Unlimited for Chase ecosystem building and 3x dining/drugstore categories.

Versus Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards

The Bank of America Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back on everything with no annual fee. It offers Bank of America Preferred Rewards members up to 2.625% back (75% bonus at Platinum Honors tier). Choose BofA Unlimited if you maintain large BofA balances for status boosts. Pick Freedom Unlimited for Chase ecosystem benefits and broader bonus categories.

Versus Wells Fargo Active Cash

The Active Cash earns 2% back on everything with no annual fee and a $200 welcome bonus after $500 spend. It matches Freedom Unlimited's bonus but beats it on base earning. Choose Active Cash for maximum cash back as a standalone card. Pick Freedom Unlimited for Chase ecosystem leverage and transfer partner access through Sapphire cards.

Who Should Get the Freedom Unlimited

Great Fit For:

Chase ecosystem builders. If you hold or plan to get a Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, the Freedom Unlimited becomes essential. Your 1.5x points earn 25-50% more value when transferred to Sapphire accounts. This pairing turns everyday spending into meaningful travel rewards.

People wanting simple rewards without category tracking. You'll never activate quarterly categories, worry about spending caps, or track which card earns what where. The Freedom Unlimited just works on every purchase, year-round, making it perfect for those who want rewards without homework.

Diners and frequent pharmacy shoppers. Spending $300+ monthly at restaurants or buying household essentials, gift cards, and prescriptions at CVS and Walgreens makes the 3x categories genuinely valuable. These common spending areas boost earning beyond the 1.5% base.

Families wanting cell phone protection. The $600 annual coverage (minus $25 deductible) protects multiple phones on family plans when you pay the monthly bill with this card. This benefit alone justifies carrying the card for phone bill payments.

Anyone under 5/24 looking for a no-fee keeper card. The Freedom Unlimited provides long-term value with no annual fee to justify. It keeps Ultimate Rewards points active if you later downgrade from Sapphire cards, making it excellent for preserving points without ongoing costs. Learn more about Chase's 5/24 rule.

Not Ideal For:

Maximum cash-back seekers without Chase ecosystem interest. If you want pure cash back without card combinations or point transfers, 2% flat-rate cards deliver better returns. The Freedom Unlimited's value proposition depends heavily on leveraging the Chase ecosystem.

Organized optimizers willing to track categories. Freedom Flex's rotating 5x categories deliver higher returns for people willing to activate categories quarterly and track spending. You'll earn more with Flex if you're comfortable with added complexity.

People at or over Chase's 5/24 limit. Chase automatically denies Freedom Unlimited applications from anyone who's opened 5+ credit cards in 24 months. If you're at this limit, you won't be approved regardless of credit score.

Those prioritizing specific non-dining, non-drugstore categories. If groceries, gas stations, or travel represent your biggest spending, cards with higher bonuses in these categories deliver better returns. The Freedom Unlimited's 1.5% rate on groceries and gas trails numerous alternatives.

International travelers wanting travel-specific benefits. While the card has no foreign transaction fees, it lacks the travel protections, insurance, and airport benefits that dedicated travel cards provide. Use it for purchases abroad, but don't rely on it as your primary travel card.

Application Requirements

Chase typically approves Freedom Unlimited applications for people with:

• Credit scores of 670+ (good credit minimum)
• 1+ years of credit history
• Credit utilization under 30%
• No recent Chase denials

The card falls under Chase's 5/24 rule - automatic denial if you've opened 5+ credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Check your credit card timeline before applying to avoid wasting a hard inquiry.

Chase prefers seeing an existing banking relationship. Having a checking or savings account with Chase for 3+ months before applying can improve approval odds, though millions get approved without existing accounts.

Recent credit inquiries matter. Applying for multiple cards within a few months signals credit-seeking behavior Chase dislikes. Space applications at least 2-3 months apart for best approval chances.

Maximizing the Freedom Unlimited

Pair with a Sapphire card to unlock 25-50% more value from every point earned. Transfer points from Freedom Unlimited to Sapphire Preferred or Reserve accounts before redeeming for travel. This strategy transforms 1.5% earning into 1.875-2.25% in travel value.

Add Freedom Flex for complete category coverage. Use Freedom Flex for rotating 5x categories (after activation), Freedom Unlimited for everything else. Both cards' points pool together, creating comprehensive rewards earning across all spending.

Use for cell phone bills to activate the $600 annual phone protection (minus $25 deductible). Set up autopay for your wireless bill, and you're covered against theft and damage for all phones on your family plan.

Maximize drugstore spending strategically. CVS and Walgreens sell more than prescriptions - buy household supplies, gift cards, and even groceries where available. The 3x rate on drugstore purchases often beats grocery card bonuses that cap at $6,000 annually.

Keep forever as your no-fee Ultimate Rewards anchor. Even if you later close Sapphire cards to avoid annual fees, Freedom Unlimited preserves your Ultimate Rewards account at no cost. Your points stay active indefinitely with this card open.

FAQ

Can I have both Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex?

Yes, these are different products. Many cardholders hold both to maximize earning: Freedom Flex for rotating 5x categories, Freedom Unlimited for everything else. Points from both cards combine in Ultimate Rewards.

Do my points expire?

Ultimate Rewards points remain active as long as you maintain any card earning these points. The Freedom Unlimited serves as a free way to keep points active forever, even if you close annual-fee cards like Sapphires.

Can I upgrade to a Sapphire card later?

Yes, Chase allows product changes after 12 months. However, you won't receive a welcome bonus when upgrading. Most people prefer applying for Sapphire cards separately to capture welcome bonuses before hitting 5/24.

How do I transfer points to Sapphire cards?

Call Chase or log into your account online. Select "Transfer to Travel Partner" and choose your Sapphire card as the destination. Transfers complete instantly, and you can move points back to Freedom Unlimited if desired.

Does the cell phone protection cover family plans?

Yes, paying your monthly cell phone bill covers all phones on the account. You can make one claim per 12-month period for up to $600 per claim (minus $25 deductible), regardless of how many phones are on your plan.

Should I redeem for cash or save for travel?

If you have or plan to get a Sapphire card, save points for travel redemptions worth 25-50% more. If you'll never hold a Sapphire card, redeem for cash at 1 cent per point - it's effectively 1.5% cash back.

Final Verdict

The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns its place as one of the best no-annual-fee cards for Chase ecosystem builders. While the 1.5% base rate trails pure cash-back alternatives, the combination of 3x dining/drugstore bonuses, 5x Chase Travel earning, and Ultimate Rewards flexibility creates genuine value for people leveraging the broader Chase family.

The card shines brightest paired with a Sapphire card. That 25-50% point value boost transforms modest everyday spending into meaningful travel rewards. Combined with Freedom Flex for rotating categories, you're capturing high earning rates across nearly all spending without annual fees.

If you're spending $10,000+ annually on dining and drugstores, taking 2+ trips yearly, and interested in travel rewards without complexity, the Freedom Unlimited delivers solid value. The $200 welcome bonus essentially gives you 13 months of rewards upfront, and ongoing earning keeps providing value long after. Ready to see if you qualify? Check your 5/24 status and apply for your first step into the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.

This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.