Should I Use My Freedom Unlimited or Chase Sapphire Reserve

If you have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you might be wondering which card to use for your daily expenses. The Freedom Unlimited offers 3% cash back on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, up to $20,900 in combined purchases each year.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve, on the other hand, offers 3X points on travel and dining purchases, including takeout and eligible delivery services. This card also comes with a $300 travel credit that can be used towards travel expenses.

The key difference between the two cards is the earning potential. The Freedom Unlimited offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, while the Sapphire Reserve offers 3X points on travel and dining purchases. This makes the Sapphire Reserve a better choice for those who spend a lot on travel and dining.

For more insights, see: Chase Freedom Flex Digital Wallet

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Freedom Unlimited are both popular credit cards, but they cater to different needs. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a high annual fee of $550, which may be a barrier for some users.

If you're willing to pay the annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a rewards rate of 1-10 points per dollar spent, with a 60,000-point initial bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

In contrast, the Freedom Unlimited offers a more straightforward rewards rate of 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, with no annual fee. However, it doesn't offer the same level of travel benefits as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, such as the $300 annual travel credit or access to airport lounges.

Here's a quick comparison of the two cards:

The rewards structure of the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards is quite different. The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with a bonus 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) worth up to $300 cash back.

A different take: Comixology Unlimited

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's a significant bonus, especially if you're planning to use the card for travel purchases.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After the first year or $20,000 spent, these rates change to 5% cash back on travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, and 1x on all other purchases. This card also comes with a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.

Here's a quick comparison of the rewards rates:

Ultimately, the choice between these cards depends on your individual spending habits and preferences. If you're looking for a simple, high-rewards card with no rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited may be the way to go. But if you're willing to spend a bit more to earn more points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a more lucrative rewards structure.

Additional reading: Chase Sapphire Reserve Earn Points

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a popular credit card that offers a range of benefits and rewards. It has a regular APR of 20.49% - 27.49% Variable.

The card's annual fee is $95, which is a standard fee for many credit cards. It's worth noting that some cards may waive this fee for the first year or offer other perks to offset the cost.

One of the key features of the Chase Freedom Unlimited is its cash back rewards program. You can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no minimum to redeem for cash back. This means you can earn cash back on everything you buy, without having to worry about reaching a spending threshold.

The card also offers a 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers, which can be a great option for those who need to finance a large purchase or consolidate debt. However, it's worth noting that this offer is only available for a limited time, and the regular APR will apply after the intro period ends.

Broaden your view: Chase Sapphire Card No Annual Fee

Here are some key features of the Chase Freedom Unlimited at a glance:

Overall, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a solid choice for those who want a simple, no-fuss credit card with a range of rewards and benefits.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Reserve are both excellent credit cards with unique benefits. The Freedom Unlimited has a $0 annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards without paying extra.

One of the standout features of the Freedom Unlimited is its earning rate - you'll get 5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases after that.

Here's a comparison of the two cards' key features and benefits:

The Freedom Unlimited also offers a range of perks and benefits, including access to Chase Offers, complimentary three months of DashPass, and purchase protection.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a credit card that's perfect for beginners who want to earn rewards without worrying about complex earning rates. It has a $0 annual fee, which is a huge perk.

One of the standout features of this card is that it offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it a great choice for everyday spending. You can redeem this cash back against your next statement or get it directly deposited into your bank account.

If you want to earn even more rewards, you can combine the Chase Freedom Unlimited with a Chase Sapphire card. This can supercharge your rewards earning capabilities, but we'll get into that more later.

Here are the key benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited at a glance:

The welcome offer is a great way to earn even more rewards, with an extra 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back.

Recommended read: Amazon Cash Reserves

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offers a generous credit limit, but you won't find a specific limit mentioned anywhere.

The regular APR for this card is 20.49% - 27.49% Variable, which is something to keep in mind when making purchases.

You'll also be charged a $95 annual fee, which is a standard fee for most credit cards.

Here's a quick rundown of the credit card's APR and fees:

Keep in mind that the APR and fees may vary depending on your creditworthiness and other factors.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a range of perks and benefits that make it a great addition to your wallet. With no annual fee, these extras are essentially free bonuses.

You'll get access to Chase Offers, a constantly changing selection of deals for various merchants, including online shopping, gas stations, delivery services, clothing brands, and hotels.

One of the standout perks is the complimentary three months of DashPass, which you can activate by January 31, 2025. This service offers up to $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant DoorDash orders.

The card also comes with secondary auto rental collision damage waiver, which provides an added layer of protection when renting a car.

If your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations, you'll be covered up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares.

You'll also get purchase protection, which covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

And, as an added bonus, you'll get extended warranty protection.

Expand your knowledge: Chase Freedom Unlimited Trip Cancellation Insurance

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a generous intro offer of 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, worth up to $300 cash back, on up to $20,000 spent in the first year.

You'll earn 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, and 3% on all other purchases during the first year.

After the first year or $20,000 spent, the rewards structure remains relatively consistent, with 5% cash back on travel, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

You can redeem these points for travel through Chase Travel℠, where 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel, thanks to the 25% more value you get when redeeming for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises.

Here's a quick comparison of the rewards structures:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has an annual fee of $550, which is a significant cost to consider. You'll also want to be aware that it has a high APR.

One of the Reserve's main benefits is its rewards rate, which can earn you 1-10 points per dollar spent. You'll also receive an initial bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

The Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit, which can be a huge help if you travel frequently. This credit is reimbursed as a travel purchase charged to your card each account anniversary year.

Here are some key rewards details to keep in mind:

The Reserve also offers additional benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental coverage, lost luggage insurance, and more.

Broaden your view: Chase Ink Business Unlimited Rental Car Insurance

The Freedom Unlimited card offers a 3% cashback reward on dining and 3% cashback on gas, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card takes the cake with a 3X points reward on travel and dining purchases.

The Freedom Unlimited card has a $0 annual fee for the first year, but it increases to $95 after that. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has a $300 annual fee, but it offers a $300 travel credit.

The Freedom Unlimited card offers a 15.99% - 23.99% variable APR, which is relatively high compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card's 15.99% - 22.99% variable APR.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a 50% points bonus when redeemed for travel, making it a great option for travelers.

Additional reading: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It