The Chase Freedom Unlimited (see rates and fees) is a superb newbie bank card. It earns not less than 1.5% money again on all purchases, that means it could possibly nonetheless present worth to your pockets even after you’ve got opened numerous other cards.
Because of its flexibility, it could possibly work nicely in tandem with many bank cards, even these not issued by Chase. Listed here are a few of my favourite selections for playing cards to pair with the Freedom Limitless.
Unlock the Freedom Limitless’s full potential
By itself, the Freedom Unlimited is a robust card, however if you wish to really maximize it, you will have to companion it with certainly one of Chase’s higher-tier choices:
By combining the rewards you earn on the Freedom Limitless with these you earn on one of many playing cards I simply talked about, you can transfer them to Chase’s 13 partners for optimum worth.
The Sapphire Most well-liked and Sapphire Reserve are doubtless the perfect selections for most individuals, since they provide compelling advantages that justify their annual charges with out the necessity for a separate side hustle or business.
This is a fast breakdown of what these playing cards supply.
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked
The Sapphire Preferred simply makes up for its $95 annual charge with its easy record of advantages, offered you need to use them organically.
This is the card I use to energy up my very own Freedom Limitless. I spend on my Sapphire Most well-liked to earn bonus rewards on eating, choose journey and on-line groceries (excluding Walmart and Goal), whereas my Freedom Limitless is useful for basic purchases that are not lined by bonus classes.
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I additionally benefit from my Sapphire Most well-liked’s complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) to make up for greater than my card’s annual charge. A DashPass membership prices $9.99 per 30 days, or $96 for the annual plan, that means I come out within the inexperienced annually.
Then, once I’m able to redeem my factors for journey, I mix all the rewards I’ve earned and ship them off.
To study extra, take a look at our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Should you really feel prepared for a premium journey card, the Sapphire Reserve could make extra sense for you than the Sapphire Most well-liked.
In case your present spending habits are a great match for the Sapphire Reserve’s advantages, I like to recommend pairing it with the Freedom Limitless. Use your Sapphire Reserve for purchases that earn inside its bonus classes or set off an announcement credit score, and your Freedom Limitless for different purchases.
Whereas it boasts a hefty $795 annual fee, it options an appealing array of benefits to assist cardholders justify that, together with:
- Entry to Chase’s Sapphire lounges
- Priority Pass lounge membership
- As much as $500 annually in assertion credit for luxurious lodge bookings made with The Edit
- Extremely versatile $300 travel credit
- As much as $300 in assertion credit annually for eating purchases made through Sapphire Unique Tables on OpenTable
- As much as $300 in assertion credit for StubHub and Viagogo purchases (by way of Dec. 31, 2027; activation required)
To study extra, take a look at our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Complement the Freedom Limitless with the Freedom Flex
The very first duo I took benefit of in my pockets was the Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees).
Should you do not feel able to pay an annual charge with a view to give your Freedom Limitless a lift, it is a nice possibility. The Freedom Flex’s declare to fame is its rotating quarterly categories. Cardholders can earn 5% money again on these classes every quarter they activate (on as much as $1,500 in mixed spending, then 1% again).
Chase usually options widespread spending classes on the Freedom Flex, together with at gasoline stations and gymnasiums and with PayPal. This profit expands your potential to earn important rewards past the Freedom Limitless’s classes for eating and drugstores.
Simply remember the fact that you will nonetheless want the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or one other eligible Chase Final Rewards points-earning card to switch your rewards to journey companions.
To study extra, take a look at our full review of the Freedom Flex.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex
Open your pockets to different issuers
The Freedom Unlimited is a superb gateway into Chase, however I all the time advocate diversifying your pockets with playing cards from different issuers as nicely. Fortunately, the Freedom Limitless is simple to pair with most playing cards from different banks. Listed here are two of my favourite suggestions.
American Categorical Gold
My first foray after opening Chase playing cards was into American Express with the American Express® Gold Card. Whereas the Freedom Limitless earns 3% money again on eating, the Amex Gold affords a stronger 4 factors per greenback spent price (on as much as $50,000 of eating purchases worldwide every calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback spent).
The Freedom Limitless would not supply a bonus class for groceries, so the Amex Gold can lend a serving to hand. The Amex Gold earns 4 factors per greenback spent on U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 of spending every calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback spent).
Remember that the Amex Gold carries a $325 annual charge (see rates and fees), however it affords assertion credit to more than make up for that. Among the best of those affords as much as $50 biannually for purchases made at Resy-affiliated U.S. restaurants. (Enrollment is required.)
To study extra, take a look at our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards
Whereas the opposite playing cards I’ve beneficial lean on the Freedom Limitless’s 1.5% money again price to complement their bonus classes, the script is flipped with this pairing.
The Venture Rewards earns not less than 2 miles per greenback spent on purchases, which is best than what the Freedom Limitless affords. For the reason that Enterprise Rewards lacks bonus classes for eating and drugstores, the Freedom Limitless can complement with its 3% money again charges in each classes.
The Enterprise Rewards has a $95 annual charge, the identical because the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Deciding between the Sapphire Most well-liked and the Enterprise Rewards comes right down to which issuer’s transfer partners you like.
Keep in mind: With out the Sapphire Most well-liked (or one other eligible Chase card), you will not have the ability to switch your Freedom Limitless’s rewards to Chase’s journey companions.
To study extra, take a look at our full review of the Venture Rewards.
Study extra: Capital One Venture Rewards
Backside line
I commonly use my very own Freedom Unlimited with my Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold to get essentially the most factors from my spending. This manner, I will transfer extra rapidly towards my private journey targets.
The Freedom Limitless is at its greatest when paired with the correct card. Whether or not you resolve to open one or a number of of the playing cards talked about on this information, you will be nicely in your method to getting essentially the most out of your Freedom Limitless.
Associated: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Maximize your earnings with 3 cards
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold, please click on here.
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