Chase Freedom Unlimited Review

What the Chase Freedom Unlimited actually is

This is Chase's no-annual-fee cash back card, and it's built around one simple idea: earn a decent rate on every purchase without juggling rotating categories or quarterly sign-ups. You get 1.5% back on everything, with bumped-up rates on a few specific buckets.

The current earn structure is 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other spending. New cardholders also get a sign-up bonus, which has historically come in the form of extra cash back on your first-year spending up to a cap. Rates and bonuses shift, so check the live offer before you apply.

How it performs day to day

The appeal here is that you stop optimizing. Tap it for groceries, gas, the dentist, a random Amazon order, and you're earning at least 1.5% without a second thought. That flat floor is higher than the 1% you get on a lot of starter cards, and it adds up faster than people expect.

The real power move is pairing it with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve. On its own, your cash back is just cash back. But if you hold a Sapphire card, those points convert into Ultimate Rewards you can transfer to airline and hotel partners, which can be worth noticeably more than a penny each. Without a Sapphire in your lineup, you're leaving the best part of the Chase ecosystem on the table.

The good and the annoying

Pros: no annual fee, a strong 1.5% base rate, useful 3% on dining and drugstores, and easy redemption through the Chase app. The 5% on Chase Travel is genuinely good if you book that way. Approval odds are reasonable for people with solid credit, and the card plays nicely with the rest of Chase's cards.

The annoyances are real too. The juicy 5% rate is locked to Chase's own travel portal, which doesn't always have the best prices. There's a 3% foreign transaction fee, so this is a bad card to take abroad. And Chase's 5/24 rule means if you've opened five or more cards in the past 24 months, you'll likely get denied no matter how good your credit is.

Who should get it, who should skip it

Get it if you want a low-maintenance everyday card with no fee, especially if you already have or plan to get a Sapphire card. It's also a smart first or second card for someone building a points strategy without paying for the privilege.

Skip it if you travel internationally often, since that foreign transaction fee stings. Skip it too if you'd rather chase a single flat 2% rate, where the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash do better on plain spending. And if you're deep into 5/24, don't waste an application slot here.

The verdict

The Freedom Unlimited is one of the easiest no-fee cards to recommend. It earns well on everything, costs nothing to hold, and unlocks serious value when paired with a Sapphire card. It's not the best for travel abroad and it won't replace a flat 2% card for pure cash back fans. For most people, though, it earns its place in the wallet.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Chase Freedom Unlimited have an annual fee?

No. The Freedom Unlimited has a $0 annual fee, which makes it easy to keep long term even if it's not your main everyday card.

Can I transfer Freedom Unlimited rewards to travel partners?

Not on its own. You need a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve in the same account to convert your cash back into transferable Ultimate Rewards points for airlines and hotels.

Is the Freedom Unlimited good for international travel?

No. It charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so use a no-fee travel card abroad and save the Freedom Unlimited for spending at home.