Chase Credit Cards Freedom Unlimited: Everything You Need to Know

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The Chase Credit Cards Freedom Unlimited is a popular choice among credit card enthusiasts, and for good reason. It offers 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

This card is a great option for those who want to earn rewards without having to keep track of categories or rotate rewards. It's also a good choice for everyday purchases.

The Freedom Unlimited card has no rotating categories or spending limits, making it easy to earn cash back on all your purchases.

Introduction

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a popular choice for those looking for a no-annual-fee credit card that offers cash back rewards on everyday purchases. It's available with a $0 annual fee.

One of the standout features of this card is the sign-up bonus, which offers an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. This is a great incentive to sign up and start using the card.

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Here are the main categories where you can earn cash back rewards:

This card also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 19.49%-28.24%.

Basics

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card has a $0 annual fee, which is a great perk if you're looking to avoid any extra charges. This makes it a great option for those who want a no-fee credit card.

The sign-up bonus is a generous offer, earning you an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back.

Here are the card's earning categories:

  • 5% back on travel booked through Chase.
  • 3% back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
  • 3% back on drugstore purchases.
  • Through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.
  • 1.5% cash back on everything else.

The interest rate is 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%-28.24% Variable APR, which is a bit higher than some other credit cards.

At a Glance

Let's take a look at the key benefits of this credit card.

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You can lower your interest rate by 2% each year if you pay on time and spend at least $1,000 on your card by your next account anniversary.

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with higher rates available on specific categories like dining and travel.

Here's a breakdown of the cash back rates:

  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Rewards and Benefits

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offers a range of rewards and benefits that make it a valuable addition to your wallet.

You can earn 1.5% cash back on all your purchases, with no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn, and your rewards never expire as long as you have the card open.

The card also offers 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and 3% back on dining and at drugstores, making it a great option for people who frequently dine out or travel.

You can also earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025, which is a great bonus for frequent ride-hailers.

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Here are some of the key benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card:

  • Lyft: 5% cash back on qualifying Lyft rides through March 2025
  • Purchase protection: Covers new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account
  • Zero Liability Protection: You won't be responsible for unauthorized purchases
  • Free credit score & identity restoration services: Access your credit score at any time and get no-cost identity restoration services

Ultimate Rewards Points

Ultimate Rewards Points are the key to unlocking the full potential of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. You earn these points on all your purchases, and they can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel, or even Amazon purchases.

One penny is the value of each point when redeemed for cash back, making it equivalent to 1.5% cash back on your purchases. You can also transfer points to other Chase cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, to get even more value.

With the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, you can earn unlimited rewards points with no expiration date, as long as you have the card open. This means you can save up your points for a big purchase or a family vacation.

Here's a comparison of redemption values for points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card and other Chase cards:

By transferring points to a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can get more value per point and maximize your rewards earnings.

Rewards

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a great rewards program that's easy to manage and redeem. You can earn 1.5% cash back on all your purchases, with no limit to the amount of rewards points you can earn.

One of the best features of this card is that your rewards never expire as long as you have the card open. So, you can save up your rewards for that family vacation you've been dreaming of.

You can also redeem your rewards at any time, with no minimum rewards required. This means you can get the cash back you need when you need it, not just when you've accumulated a certain amount of rewards points.

The card offers a higher earnings rate for the first year, with an additional 1.5% cash back on every purchase made (up to $20,000 spent). This can be worth up to $300 cash back, making it a great deal for new cardholders.

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Here's a breakdown of the rewards categories offered by the Chase Freedom Unlimited card:

  • 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase
  • 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

You can also earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025, thanks to Chase's partnership with the ride-sharing service. This is in addition to the 1.5% cash back you already earn on all purchases.

Overall, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a great rewards program that's easy to use and redeem. With its high earnings rate and variety of rewards categories, it's a great choice for anyone looking to earn cash back on their purchases.

Features and Comparison

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a straightforward cashback credit card that's perfect for everyday spending. It's a great option for those who want to build up valuable travel points quickly.

You can earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making it a great card for frequent travelers. This is a great perk for those who love to explore new places.

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The card also offers 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% cash back on drugstore purchases. This means you can earn more cash back on your daily expenses.

It's worth noting that the card earns 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, making it a solid choice for everyday spending.

Features

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a range of features that make it a great choice for everyday spending. The card provides 5% cash back on qualifying Lyft rides through March 2025.

You can also enjoy purchase protection, which covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account. This can give you peace of mind when making big purchases.

The card also offers Zero Liability Protection, so you won't be responsible for unauthorized purchases. This is a big plus in case your card is lost or stolen.

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In addition to these benefits, the card offers free credit score and identity restoration services through Chase Credit Journey. This can help you monitor your credit score and see how your payment history affects it over time.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a great choice for first-time credit card users due to its low annual fee and low intro APR period of 15 months. This can make it easier to manage your finances and build up your credit score.

If you're just starting out with credit cards and want to build up valuable travel points quickly, the Freedom Unlimited card is a great place to start. It's a great card for everyday, non-bonus spending and can provide incredible value when paired with a premium Chase card.

Click to Compare Cards Side by Side

The Chase Freedom cards have a lot of similarities, but also some key differences. The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex cards both offer 0% APR periods and $0 annual fees.

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Both cards offer cash back rewards, but the categories and rates vary. The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, while the Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories and 1% on other spending.

Here's a quick comparison of the two cards:

This table highlights some of the key differences between the two cards. Ultimately, the choice between the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex will depend on your individual spending habits and preferences.

Visa or Mastercard?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a Visa or Mastercard, but it's not just one or the other - it's actually both! This card offers flexibility and compatibility with a wide range of merchants and payment systems.

The bonus on this card is quite attractive, earning you an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, worth up to $300 cash back.

Earning and Redemption

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card earns you 1.5% cashback on all your purchases, which can add up quickly. This cashback is actually in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, worth a penny apiece when redeemed for cash back.

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You can redeem your points for various rewards, including gift cards at 1 cent per point, travel booked through Chase at 1 cent per point, and Amazon purchases at 0.8 cent per point. This flexibility makes it easy to use your rewards for what you need.

Here are some ways you can redeem your rewards:

  • Gift cards at 1 cent per point.
  • Travel booked through Chase at 1 cent per point.
  • Amazon purchases at 0.8 cent per point.

Earning Rewards

Earning Rewards can be a great motivator to use your credit card more often. You'll get 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a range of rewards options, including 3% back on dining and at drugstores. This can be a great way to earn rewards on your daily expenses.

You'll also earn 1.5% back on all other purchases with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. This means you can earn rewards on everything from groceries to household items.

If you use Lyft, you can earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025. This is a great perk for frequent Lyft users.

Your rewards never expire while you have the card open, so you can save them up for a big purchase or a family vacation.

Redemption Option #1—Cash

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offers a simple and straightforward way to redeem your rewards for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. banks.

There's no minimum needed to start redeeming rewards, making it easy to get cash back on your purchases. You can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for cash back, and each point is worth a penny apiece.

You can earn 1.5% cash back or more depending on the category of your purchase, making it a great option for everyday spending.

Redemption Option #2: Book Travel

You can redeem your Chase Freedom Unlimited rewards for travel booked through Chase Travel℠. This includes flights, hotel stays, car rentals, vacation rentals, and cruises.

Chase's portal makes it easy to find flights and lodging, and they'll tell you next to each flight/hotel/etc. how many points equals a free flight/stay. You can also transfer points to over a dozen airline/hotel partners to really up the potential value of your points!

Here are some examples of what you can book through Chase Travel℠:

  • Flights
  • Hotel stays
  • Car rentals
  • Vacation rentals
  • Cruises

If you're looking to earn more travel rewards than the Chase Freedom Unlimited can offer, check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Credit Card Details

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card comes with a generous sign-up bonus: you'll earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

You'll also enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, giving you some breathing room to pay off your debt without interest. After the intro period, the variable APR will be between 19.49% and 29.99%.

Does It Have an Annual Fee?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card is a great option for those looking for a low-cost card with plenty of benefits. The annual fee is a whopping $0, making it an attractive choice for anyone on a budget. This is a major perk, especially for students or those with low incomes.

You can expect to save money on annual fees, which is a big plus. The lack of an annual fee means you can focus on earning rewards and enjoying the card's benefits without breaking the bank.

In fact, the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offers a range of benefits that make it a great value for the price. The $0 annual fee is just the tip of the iceberg.

Credit Card

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card is a great option for those looking for a low-fee credit card. It has a low annual fee, making it perfect for students with low incomes or recent graduates.

The card also offers a low intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months after opening the card, which can be a huge help in managing debt.

You can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, making it a great incentive to use the card.

Here are the different cash back categories you can earn rewards in:

You can redeem your cash back rewards in various ways, including as a statement credit, direct deposit, or even towards gift cards and travel.

Pros and Cons

The Chase Credit Cards Freedom Unlimited has its advantages and disadvantages.

One of the biggest pros is that it offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which can save you money on interest charges.

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However, this offer comes with a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount transferred, which can add up quickly.

Another benefit is that there's no annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to avoid extra costs.

But, keep in mind that the regular APR is 14.99-23.74% Variable, which can be quite high if you're not paying off your balance in full each month.

Security

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card has some amazing security features. You can rest assured that your account is protected with their robust security measures.

Fraud protection is one of the key features of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. This means that if someone tries to make unauthorized purchases with your card, you won't be held responsible for the charges.

You'll also receive fraud alerts, which will notify you of any suspicious activity on your account. This gives you the opportunity to take action and prevent any potential damage.

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Zero liability protection is another great feature of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. This means that if you do fall victim to fraud, you won't have to pay for any fraudulent charges made with your card.

If you make a new purchase and it gets damaged or stolen within 120 days, you're covered with purchase protection. This will cover you up to $500 per claim, giving you peace of mind when making new purchases.

Here are the security features of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card at a glance:

  • Fraud protection
  • Fraud alerts
  • Zero liability protection
  • Purchase protection

Pros

The credit card's pros are definitely worth considering. At least 1.5% back on every purchase is a great incentive to use it for daily spending. This can add up over time, making it a smart choice for those who want to earn rewards without breaking the bank.

One of the standout features is the lack of an annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for those who want to earn rewards without extra charges. No annual fee means you can keep more of your hard-earned cash.

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This card is perfect for everyday, non-bonus spending, which is exactly what I've been using it for. It's a great way to earn rewards on your regular purchases, like groceries and gas.

Pairing this card with a premium Chase card can offer even more value. By combining the two, you can maximize your rewards earnings and get the most out of your spending.

Difficulty in Obtaining

Getting the Chase Freedom Unlimited card can be a bit challenging, as you'll need good to excellent credit to qualify. A credit score of 690 or better is generally a good starting point.

However, credit score alone isn't enough - issuers also consider your income, existing debts, and other information when making a decision.

You'll have to meet the issuer's requirements to get approved for the card.

The Bottom Line

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a great option if you want a card that's easy to use and doesn't require much work. It has no activation requirement, so you start earning cashback as soon as you get your card.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card also lets you earn unlimited rewards, which is a big plus. This means you can earn as much cashback as you want, without worrying about hitting a rewards limit.

There's no annual fee with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, which is a nice bonus.

Does Offer Cash Back?

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Does the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offer cash back rewards? Yes, it does. You can earn cash back rewards on various spending categories, including travel, dining, and drugstore purchases.

The card offers a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. However, you can earn higher cash back rates on select categories, such as 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, and 3% on drugstore purchases.

Here's a breakdown of the cash back rates on select categories:

One thing to note is that cash back rewards don't expire as long as your account is open. You can redeem them toward gift cards and travel, request them as a statement credit, or have them directly deposited into your bank account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chase Freedom Unlimited a hard card to get?

To qualify for the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you'll need good to excellent credit, typically a score of 690 or better. This means it's not a beginner-friendly card, but worth considering if you have a solid credit history.

What is the credit limit for Chase Freedom Unlimited card?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card has a minimum credit limit of $500, with a higher limit of at least $5,000 for approved Visa Signature cardholders.

Forrest Schumm

Copy Editor

Forrest Schumm is a seasoned copy editor with a deep understanding of the financial sector, particularly in India. His expertise spans a variety of topics, including trade associations, banking institutions, and historical establishments. Forrest's work has shed light on the intricate landscape of Indian banking, from the Indian Banks' Association to the significant 1946 establishments that have shaped the industry.

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