Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Up to 5% Cash Back
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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a top-rated card due to its signup bonus and excellent cash back rewards. You get elevated cash back rewards on dining, drugstore purchases, and travel, plus 1.5% on all other purchases. There’s a welcome offer: 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. There’s also a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%. All with no annual fee. We dive into the details and your approval odds in this Freedom Unlimited review.
Our Rating
4.9/5.0
Welcome Offer
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
Annual Fee
$0
0% on Purchases
15 months
Reward Rate
1.5% – 5%
0% on Balance Transfers
15 months
>>Check Out This and Other Cash Back Credit Cards Here
Editorial Review
Chase Freedom Unlimited Calculator
To crunch the numbers, use this Freedom Unlimited Calculator to estimate your annual cash-back rewards and overall reward rate.
The key is to determine whether Freedom Unlimited can be your everyday card or should it be replaced by a 2% cash back on all purchases card. If your spending doesn’t get you at least an overall 2% cash back rate, a 2% cash back card will be the better deal.
For example, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we assumed monthly spending as follows:
- $200 on travel
- $300 eating out
- $200 at drugstores
- $1,500 on other purchases.
The result was $570 in annual cash back with an overall reward rate of 2.2%. This doesn’t include a $396 first-year bonus. With these assumptions, Freedom Unlimited would be a solid everyday card.
Other Chase Freedom Unlimited Benefits
The Chase Freedom Unlimited comes with several additional features:
The card includes Zero Liability Protection. This means that you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorized charges on your card, or the use of your account information. You also get a physical card with Chip-Enabled Security, for additional account protection.
One of my favorite features is Purchase Protection. This means that any purchases made with the card are protected for 120 days from damage or theft. (Note a maximum of $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.)
The card comes with Extended Warranty Protection. This protection extends for up to one year of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on eligible warranties of three years or less.
Lastly, the card is designed for contactless payment. In a world of global pandemics, contactless payment enables you to pay for something without touching the card reader.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited a good credit card?
Yes. It’s a competitive cash-back card given its signup bonus, no annual fee, and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Some cards pay 2% back on all purchases, but they can be harder to get and come with other limitations, such as an annual fee.
Is it hard to get approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The card requires a good credit score, generally 690 or higher. If you have a good credit score, a steady income, and comply with the Chase 5/24 rule, you should have a good chance at approval.
The Bottom Line
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great card, combining excellent cash back rewards, 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and some travel benefits, all for no annual fee. It can be your daily driver or an excellent complement to a Chase Sapphire card. Either way, it’s a fantastic value.
Welcome Offer
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.
Features & Benefits
| Security | Credit Score Monitoring, EMV Chip Enabled, Fraud Monitoring, Zero Liability, Identity theft protection |
| Contactless Payments | Tap to Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Benefits | Extended Warranty Coverage, Purchase Protection |
| Travel Perks | Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Travel Assistance, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation Insurance |
Rewards
Interest Rates & Fees
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
| Regular APR | 20.49% - 29.24% (V) APR |
| Balance Transfers | 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 20.49% - 29.24%(V) APR after that. |
| Balance Transfer Intro Fee | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days |
| Balance Transfer Fee | Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
| Purchases | 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then 20.49% - 29.24% (V) APR after that. |
What Credit Score Is Required to Get the Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The following credit score data are based on publicly available information we have collected from various forums. We have no way to confirm the accuracy of this data. In addition, keep in mind that credit card issuers use numerous factors in their underwriting process, and these factors can change at any time.
Lowest Approved Credit Score: 740
Average Approved Credit Score: 767
| App Status | Date | Credit Score | Bureau | Credit Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approved | 03/20/2023 | Experian | ||
| Approved | 07/18/2023 | Experian | ||
| Approved | 07/18/2023 | TransUnion | ||
| Approved | 07/18/2023 | Equifax | ||
| Approved | 09/06/2023 | Experian | ||
| Approved | 09/08/2023 | Equifax | ||
| Denied | 09/05/2023 | Experian | ||
| Denied | 09/05/2023 | Equifax | ||
| Denied | 09/05/2023 | TransUnion |
Pros & Cons
- Welcome offer
- No annual fee
- Up to 5% cash back
- Foreign transaction fee
- Requires good credit
What Are the Best Alternatives?
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rating
4.5
Rewards Range
1% -10%
Annual Fee
$0
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Rating
4.7
Rewards Range
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rating
4.5
Rewards Range
1%-6%
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
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