Chase Freedom Flex vs Freedom Unlimited

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Chase's Freedom cards have long been considered some of the best no annual fee credit card options out there. And just recently, the Chase Freedom Flex was introduced, replacing the old Chase Freedom card, which is no longer available for new applications.

So now there are two Chase Freedom cards. The new Freedom Flex and the Freedom Unlimited. And if you hold either, or both with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, they can unlock a ton of value.

And while these cards are similar, there are some stark differences that you should be aware of when deciding which version is right for you. In this post, we will break down the new Chase Freedom Flex vs Freedom Unlimited and assign a winner in each category to help you decide which version makes the most sense in your wallet.

However, it is worth noting that Chase will allow you to carry both versions of the Freedom cards at the same time, so that is certainly an option.

Comparing the Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Annual Fee

Both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card do not have an annual fee. This is a big reason why both cards are so popular. And because they pair so well with the Chase Sapphire cards, adding one to your wallet can be an easy decision that won't set you back any money each year in annual fees.

Because both versions of the card do not carry an annual fee, this category is a tie.

Winner: Tie

The Chase Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus offer is a key component of any travel rewards card, not just the Chase Freedom Cards. And some of the bigger travel rewards credit cards have large minimum spending amounts required to earn the bonus points.

But that isn't the case with either of the Chase Freedom Cards. Just for opening the card and spending only $500 on each card within the first three months of card membership, you'll earn a $200 cashback bonus.

And if you hold either the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, that $200 cashback bonus can be turned into Ultimate Rewards points at a rate of 1 cent equals 1 point. So the $200 bonus is equal to 20,000 points.

So like the annual fee, there is no clear winner in this category when comparing the Chase Freedom Flex℠ vs Freedom Unlimited, as the welcome bonus offers are the exact same.

Winner: Tie

Bonus Spending Categories

This is where both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® shine. Both cards offer a handful of lucrative categories that will provide bonus cashback (or points) for every dollar you spend.

And because the Chase Sapphire cards only earn bonus points on dining and travel, it makes sense to use your Chase Freedom card for most of your everyday spending and then transfer the cashback into Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

So lets take a look at what each card offers in terms of bonus spending categories.

Chase Freedom Flex

Earn 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories on up to $1,500 of spending which could include:
- Grocery stores, gym memberships, streaming services, gas stations, etc. See our guide of the rotating Chase Freedom bonus categories.
Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
Earn 5% cashback on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
Earn 3% cashback on dining, including takeout and delivery services
Earn 3% cashback at drugstores

Learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex Card.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal starting Sept. 15, 2020.
Earn 3% cashback on dining
Earn 3% cashback at drugstores
Earn an unlimited 1.5% cashback on all other purchases.

Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

As you can see, the biggest difference between the two cards in terms of bonus spending categories is the 5% rotating categories offered on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card and the unlimited 1.5% cashback on everything else on the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card in lieu of the rotating bonus categories.

So if you often spend money on categories that historically are not covered by the rotating bonus categories, you may be better off with the Freedom Unlimited. That being said, if you can maximize those 5% categories each quarter on the Chase Freedom Flex℠, you can earn a ton of additional cashback (or Chase Ultimate Rewards points).

Winner: The Chase Freedom Flex.

The additional rotating quarterly categories allow you to earn 5% cashback. If you can maximize these, you can earn an easy $75 cashback or 7,500 Ultimate Rewards Points each quarter.

Other Chase Freedom Card Benefits

The Chase Freedom Flex, unlike the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, is not a Visa – it's a World Elite Mastercard. This means it opens up even more benefits like Lyft credits, discounts on Postmates deliveries, and ShopRunner membership.

But perhaps the best World Elite Mastercard benefit is the complimentary cell phone insurance it provides. You'll get $1,000 in yearly coverage ($800 max per claim, 2 claims per year) should your cell phone get stolen or need certain repairs.

All you need to do to take advantage is simply pay for your cell phone bill with your Chase Freedom Flex℠ World Elite Mastercard to activate coverage.

Read more about the full World Elite Mastercard benefits.

Both Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex provide trip cancellation and interruption service and secondary car rental insurance. But because the Flex has all of the benefits that come with being a Mastercard, it is the clear winner.

Winner: Chase Freedom Flex Card.

Why You Should Pair a Chase Freedom with a Sapphire Card

The one-two punch of holding a Chase Freedom card with a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve credit card is undeniable.

When you’ve got a Chase Sapphire card, the cashback your Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited card earns can be turned into Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Every cent you earn equals 1 Chase point. Earning 5% cashback could also mean 5x Chase points.

Let’s say I hold the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Just for spending $500 in the first three months of card membership on the Freedom Unlimited, I’ll earn a $200 cash back bonus. And since I hold the Sapphire Preferred Card, that $200 can be turned into 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to use towards travel.

Both The Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited cards will earn more points (3% back or 3x points) on dining than you would earn with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card on its own. Holding one of the Freedom cards is a great way to make sure you squeeze the most value out of your everyday spending.

And if you don't already have a Sapphire Card, you can earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of card membership.

Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

Is Chase Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex Better?

With the Chase Freedom Flex℠ you'll earn $200 after spending $500 in the first three months. The Freedom Flex has bonus categories that you can earn more points on and World Elite Mastercard benefits, but the Freedom Unlimited earns more (1.5% back) on everyday spending. Plus, you'll earn an additional 1.5% back (3% total) on the first $20,000 of spending in your first year of card membership.

So how do you decide which Chase Freedom card is better for you?

When comparing the Chase Freedom Flex vs Freedom Unlimited, take a look at what you spend most of your money on. If you think you will be able to take advantage of the rotating bonus categories, and the additional World Elite Mastercard benefits, the Freedom Flex is going to be the right card for you.

Full Benefits of the Chase Freedom Flex Card

Welcome bonus of $200 after spending $500 within three months of opening the card.
Earn 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories
Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
Earn 5% cashback on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
Earn 3% cashback on dining, including takeout and delivery services
Earn 3% cashback at drugstores
Earn 1% cashback on all other spending
Affected By The Chase 5/24 Rule: This card is subjected to Chase’s 5/24 rule, so you won’t get approved for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ if you’ve opened five or more credit cards (from any bank, not just Chase) in the last 24 months.
World Elite Mastercard Benefits
No Annual Fee!

Learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex Card.

If your spending falls more in an “other” category. The Chase Freedom Unlimited, earning 1.5% on all other spending, is going to be the best card for you.

Full Benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card

Sign-up Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus (or 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $500 in the first three months of card membership.
Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
Earn 5% cashback on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
Earn 3% cashback on dining, including takeout and delivery services
Earn 3% cashback at drugstores
Earn unlimited 1.5% cashback on all other purchases
Subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, so you won't get approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® if you've opened five or more credit cards (from any bank, not just Chase) in the last 24 months. It's called the 5/24 rule.
No Annual Fee!

Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited.