Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best for: Cardholders who want one no-fee card with nothing to activate and who eat out often
- What Sets It Apart: 1.5% on every purchase, 3% at restaurants and drugstores, and 5% through Chase Travel, with no rotating categories
- Cost: $0 annual fee; 18.24% to 27.74% variable APR after a 15-month 0% intro period; 3% foreign transaction fee; balance transfer fee 3% (min. $5) for 60 days, then 5%
- Features: $200 bonus after $500 in purchases in 3 months; purchase protection and extended warranty; trip cancellation coverage
- Pros: Nothing to activate; 3% on dining including takeout; points don’t expire while the account is open
- Cons: 1.5% base trails 2% flat-rate cards; 3% foreign transaction fee; 5% travel only through Chase Travel
Get the Chase Freedom Unlimited if you want one no-fee card that earns at least 1.5% on everything with nothing to activate or track. It out-earns a 2% flat-rate card once restaurants and drugstores, where it pays 3%, pass a third of your spending.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee cash back card with a fixed rate schedule, so nothing rotates and nothing needs activating. Every purchase earns at least 1.5%, and restaurants, drugstores, and Chase Travel bookings earn more.
Key Features
- $0 annual fee
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 3% at restaurants (takeout and eligible delivery included) and drugstores, and 5% on Chase Travel bookings
- $200 bonus once you spend $500 within 3 months of opening the account
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.24% to 27.74% variable
Pros
- No categories to activate, track, or max out
- Points that don’t expire while the account is open and can move to another Chase Ultimate Rewards card in your household
- Purchase protection for 120 days, up to $500 per item, plus extended warranty coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage up to $1,500 per traveler
Cons
- 1.5% base rate trails 2% flat-rate cards such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash® and Citi Double Cash®
- 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad
- Balance transfer fee rises from 3% ($5 minimum) to 5% after the first 60 days
- The 5% travel rate covers only bookings made through Chase Travel
Against a 2% card, each $100 at restaurants or drugstores earns $1 more and each $100 in the 1.5% tier earns 50 cents less. The Unlimited pulls ahead once those two categories pass a third of your spending, so check a few months of statements and pick the 2% card if they fall short of that.
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