When finding a credit card, the choices might seem a bit overwhelming. There are so many options out there, and it’s hard to tell which card is best for you. Having the right credit card can be a great tool to set you up for financial success.
One great option to explore is the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card, which I personally have and recommend to many of my friends and family members. It’s robust and reliable, with great rewards – basically the Swiss army knife of credit cards. Oh, and did I mention it doesn’t have an annual fee?
Want to find out if this card has a place in your wallet? Keep reading our Chase Freedom Unlimited review to learn more about this cash back credit card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Review Keypoints
- $200 Cash Bonus after spending $500 in purchases within 3 months of card opening.
- Earn an extra 1.5% cash back for 12 months, up to $20,000 spent. This means you’ll earn 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
- Flexible redemptions (statement credits, travel, etc.)
- No annual fee
Earning With The Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great credit card for anyone who wants a simple, straightforward rewards credit card. For a limited time, Chase is offering new cardholders an extra 1.5% cash back for the first year, up to $20,000 spent. Once the introductory period is complete, the cash back amount will move to 1.5%.
Your bonus cash back over the first year can be very valuable. Let’s assume you spend the full $20,000 on your card in the first year. That would give you an extra $300 cash back.
Redeeming With The Chase Freedom Unlimited
One of the most attractive features of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is the redemption options. As a cash-back card, you can cash out your rewards as a statement credit at any time. However, if you have a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, you will have the option to convert your cash back to Ultimate Rewards.
Cards that allow you to do this include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Chase Ink Business Preferred®
- Chase Ink Business Premier®
- Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
Converting cash back to Ultimate Rewards opens up more options for redeeming your rewards. You can now book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, each point is worth 1.5 cents. If you have any of the other cards mentioned above, you will receive 1.25 cents per point.
Also Read: Travel Hacking 101: The Ultimate Guide to Free Travel
You can also transfer your rewards to the different Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. These include:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- British Airways
- Emirates
- Flying Blue
- Hyatt
- Iberia
- IHG
- JetBlue
- Marriott
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest
- United
- Virgin Atlantic
By transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to different partners, it’s possible to receive a value as high as 4 cents or more per point when you redeem for premium-class airfare.
Other Benefits
Earning valuable rewards is just one of the perks of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. The card also comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. If you plan to transfer a balance, a 3% balance transfer fee will be charged to the amount you transfer.
As mentioned earlier, this card comes with no annual fee. But it doesn’t end there. As a cardholder, you will also receive the following benefits:
Purchase Protection: When you use your card to make a purchase, you’ll receive protection for the first 120 days against damage and theft. This is valid for up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Extended Warranty: This will extend the manufacturer’s warranty by one year on any warranty of three years or less.
Chase Credit Journey: With Chase Credit Journey, you’ll have access to your VantageScore 3.0 credit score every week. You will also receive email alerts each time something important happens to your credit, which can help identify potential fraud. The Chase Credit Journey will also provide you with a score simulator. You’ll be able to see what will happen to your credit score when you pay off debt, apply for a new card and more.
DoorDash Dashpass: Receive a complimentary three-month Dashpass membership.
5% cash back on Lyft Rides: Through March 31, 2025, you’ll receive 5% cash back on Lyft rides
Instcart+ Membership: You’ll receive a complimentary Instacart+ membership when signed up before July 31, 2024. You’ll also receive $10 in statement credits each quarter through July 31, 2024, when you use your Chase Freedom Unlimited on Instacart.
Drawbacks
There isn’t much to dislike about the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. However, if you travel frequently outside the United States, you’ll probably want to leave this card at home. Because it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, your purchases abroad will cost a little more than they should.
How To Apply For The Chase Freedom Unlimited
Applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is quick and simple. The easiest way is to click the “Apply Now” button below. If you’d prefer to apply over the phone, you can also call 1-800-432-3117. Otherwise, you can stop at your nearest Chase branch and apply in person.
