Chase Freedom Unlimited review: Full details

The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited® is ideal for newbie and superior award vacationers. Whereas many playing cards supply 1% again on purchases outdoors of bonus classes, you will earn 1.5% again on nonbonus spending with the Freedom Limitless. And should you pair this with a card that earns premium Chase Final Rewards factors, you possibly can convert your rewards into absolutely transferable factors. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

At first look, the Chase Freedom Limitless would possibly appear to be a tame cash-back card. However there’s much more to it than meets the attention.

With no annual charge and a easy incomes construction, it is an excellent card for newbies, supplied they’ve a credit score of no less than 670. It is also a wonderful card pairing for extra premium choices just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, making it a priceless addition to many bigger card portfolios.

Let’s look at what makes this card so nice, and whether or not it deserves a spot in your pockets.

New Chase Freedom Unlimited cardholders can earn $250 money again after spending $500 in three months.

Though this isn’t the best welcome offer now we have seen on Freedom Limitless, it is extra simple than the standard supply of latest cardholders incomes 1.5% money again on all purchases (as much as $20,000 spent within the first 12 months).

Though that provide could be value as much as $300 money again, the present supply supplies money again instantly after assembly the minimal spend requirement.

And it is much more priceless should you even have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards factors, that means you possibly can switch your money again to factors and transfer them to considered one of Chase’s switch companions.

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Since it is a Chase card, bear in mind it is topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule.

Associated: The best time to apply for these Chase cards based on offer history

The trade-off for playing cards with out an annual charge is that they have a tendency to come back with fewer perks than their more premium counterparts. Nonetheless, the Freedom Unlimited has some good options value highlighting:

• Rental automotive safety: You may have rental automotive insurance coverage that covers reimbursement for theft and collision injury secondary to your private insurance coverage within the U.S.
• Journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage: You may be lined for as much as $1,500 per individual and as much as $6,000 per journey for eligible journey bills in your card if extreme climate, sickness or different lined conditions consequence within the cancellation or interruption of your journey plans.
• Prolonged guarantee safety: You’ll be able to lengthen the time interval of guarantee protection by one extra 12 months on authentic eligible warranties of three years or much less.
• Buy safety: Your purchases are protected towards theft and injury for 120 days after the date of buy, as much as $500 per merchandise.

If you do not have one other card with extra sturdy travel insurance and shopping protections, it is a respectable quantity of protection for a card with no annual charge.

Associated: Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited should be the first card in every student’s wallet

With the Freedom Unlimited, you will usually earn:

• 5% again on journey booked by Chase Travel℠
• 3% again on dining (together with takeout and eligible supply companies)
• 3% again at drugstores
• 1.5% again on all different purchases

Whereas not one of the bonus classes are show-stoppers, it’s uncommon to discover a card with bonus classes and a flat charge larger than 1% for all extra purchases. The bonus classes are good, however the skill to earn 50% extra on nonbonus spending makes this card shine.

This is a superb alternative should you’re searching for a card that earns greater than 1% again on nonbonus spending.

Associated: The best cards to pair with the Freedom Unlimited

You’ll be able to redeem the money again earned in your Freedom Unlimited as an announcement credit score or for a direct deposit into most U.S. checking and financial savings accounts at a worth of 1 cent per level. You can too redeem your rewards for reward playing cards or use them to e-book journey by Chase Journey for a similar worth.

And in case you have the fitting card pairing, you possibly can flip your rewards into transferable Chase Final Rewards factors and make the most of Chase’s priceless switch companions for much more worth.

Associated: New to travel rewards? Here’s the perfect beginner card combo

Alone, the Freedom Unlimited is a real cash-back card and would not let you switch your rewards to journey companions.

Nonetheless, should you even have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you possibly can combine your rewards and unlock Chase’s full listing of hotel and airline partners.

TPG staffers notably love the choice to switch our Chase Final Rewards to World of Hyatt.

A few of us, like TPG senior director of content material Summer Hull, want to make use of these rewards to e-book higher-end Hyatts which may in any other case be out of price range. Alternatively, different staffers want to stretch our rewards through the use of them for nice offers on Hyatt’s Category 1 properties.

Along with World of Hyatt, Chase’s different switch companions embrace priceless choices like United Airlines MileagePlus, British Airways Executive Club and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. You may discover glorious choices with Chase’s switch companions, no matter your journey type and preferences.

Associated: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards for maximum value

One possibility is likely to be a greater match if you wish to concentrate on earning cash-back rewards. Just like the Freedom Unlimited, they earn cash-back rewards and do not carry an annual charge.

• If you wish to earn 5% again on rotating classes: The Chase Freedom Flex® earns 5% again on as much as $1,500 in mixed purchases in quarterly bonus classes after you activate. Just like the Freedom Limitless, it earns rewards you possibly can switch to Chase’s companions with the fitting card pairing. For extra particulars, try our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
• If you wish to earn 3% again on completely different classes: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% money again spent at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. on-line retail purchases and U.S. gasoline stations every year (as much as $6,000 for every class per calendar 12 months, then 1%) and 1% on all different purchases. Money again is obtained within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as an announcement credit score or at Amazon.com checkout. For extra particulars, try our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
• If you wish to earn extra on nonbonus spending: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) earns 2% again on all purchases (1% if you purchase and 1% as you pay). For extra particulars, try our full review of the Citi Double Cash.

For extra choices, please see our lists of the best cash-back cards and the best cards without an annual fee.

Associated: Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

For the reason that Freedom Unlimited would not carry an annual charge, you possibly can really feel nice about incomes rewards with out justifying what you pay to maintain it every year. You’ll be able to maximize your rewards-earning potential if you have already got a Chase Final Rewards points-earning card. Nonetheless, should you’re targeted solely on cash-back rewards, you will possible need a card with a higher earning rate.

Associated: How to choose a cash-back credit card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a good card for everyday nonbonus spending and might present unbelievable worth when paired with a extra premium Chase card. Whether or not you are a newbie or a professional searching for a complementary card so as to add to your portfolio, the Freedom Limitless is a superb alternative.

Apply right here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Associated: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Sapphire Reserve, Ink Preferred and Freedom Unlimited