The best perks rarely come free in the world of travel rewards credit cards. High-end cards like the *chase sapphire reserve* and the *amex platinum* pack a punch when it comes to benefits, but that doesn’t mean they should be your go-to for everyday spending.
That’s where the no-annual-fee *chase freedom unlimited* really shines – especially when you factor in its current, limited-time welcome bonus: Earn $300 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months of card opening. While that's a smaller bonus than many other cards, you won't be on the hook for a big annual fee, and its minimum spending requirement is far more approachable than the $4,000 or more that's usually required.
Better yet, if you've already got a Chase Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card in your wallet, you can turn that cash bonus into 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase isn't saying when this bigger bonus will end, but we do know it's only here for a limited time. Don't miss your chance to pick up a big bonus on one of the best no-annual-fee cards on the market!
Read on for everything you need to know about the Chase Freedom Unlimited and it's exciting new bonus offer.
Learn more about the *chase freedom unlimited*
Benefits Overview
- bonus_miles_full.
- Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3% cashback on dining (including takeout and on eligible delivery services and at drugstores
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cashback on all other purchases
- Introductory APR: intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration
- Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
- 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.
- No Annual Fee!
Full Breakdown of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
Sign-Up Bonus
With the *chase freedom unlimited*, you can currently earn a $300 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. This is an outstanding offer on a no-annual-fee card, and since you can turn the cash bonus into 30,000 ultra-valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards by pairing the Freedom Unlimited with a Sapphire card, it has the potential to be even better than advertised.
If you're OK with a modest, annual_fees annual fee, the *chase sapphire preferred* is currently offering a more impressive bonus: bonus_miles_full
But remember: No matter how many points you can earn, credit cards are serious business. Whether it requires $500 in spending or $20,000, you should never open a credit card and make charges you can't afford to pay off in full each month.
Learn more about the *chase freedom unlimited*
3% Back on Dining & Drugstore Purchases
While the Freedom Unlimited Card earns a minimum of 1.5% cash back (or 1.5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points) on every dollar you spend, there are a few categories where you can earn more.
You'll earn an unlimited 3% cash back (or 3x points) on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services like DoorDash, GrubHub, and more. You'll also earn an unlimited 3% cash back on drugstore purchases at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and others.
If you hold the Sapphire Preferred, you'd also earn 3x points per dollar spent on dining transactions. But it doesn't offers a bonus on drugstore spending. If that's an area where you spend a lot, the Freedom Unlimited Card is a great option.
5% Back on Travel Booked Through Chase
The Freedom Unlimited Card earns an unlimited 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.
Unlimited 1.5% Cashback on All Other Spending
Beyond the bonus categories already mentioned, the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make.
That makes this card a good one to keep at the top of your wallet and use for purchases that you'd normally earn just 1% cashback (or 1x point per dollar) with other cards.
Foreign Transaction Fees
One thing to be aware of with the Freedom Unlimited Card is that it doesn't waive foreign transaction fees. That means if you use your card for purchases abroad, you'll be subject to a fee of 3% of the purchase price in U.S. dollars.
That's common for most cards that don't charge an annual fee, but it's still something to be aware of if you're traveling outside the U.S.
No Annual Fee
One of the biggest draws to the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is that it doesn't charge an annual fee.
It's a great option to pair with Chase's top travel cards that do charge an annual fee to help you earn more points. But even on its own, it's a great cashback card with good earning rates.
Our Analysis
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is one of our favorite no-annual-fee credit cards, and this bonus makes it all the more desirable.
It's a solid card on its own, but it becomes even more valuable when you pair it with either the *chase sapphire preferred* or *chase sapphire reserve*. That's because even though the card earns cash back, it's rewarded in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards, which can be combined with other cards to be used for travel redemptions.
So, if you hold one of those other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can instead use these rewards directly through the bank's travel portal for flights and hotels or transfer them to any of Chase's transfer partners to book award travel.
Even if you don't want to transfer the cash back into your Chase Ultimate Rewards balance, it's still one of the best cashback credit card offers out there, period.
Who is Eligible?
The card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, so that's something you'll need to consider before applying.
Unfamiliar with Chase's 5/24 rule? Here's what it boils down to:
- If you have opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months from any bank credit card issuers (not just Chase cards), you will not be approved for Chase credit cards, regardless of your credit score or history with Chase Bank.
- The rule does not count credit inquiries but rather new cards you have applied for and been approved.
So, if you have opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months, you will likely not be approved for this card.
You also won't be eligible to apply if you have previously received a bonus on the Freedom Unlimited card in the past 24 months.
Bottom Line
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is sneaky good … and even better with the current, limited-time offer: Earn a $300 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. But if you've got a Chase Sapphire (or Ink Preferred) Card in your wallet, this bonus is even more valuable than advertised.
There's no telling how long this limited-time offer will last, but it's here just in time for the holidays. If you're in the market for a new card without a pricey annual fee (or huge spending requirement), this is the one for you.
Learn more about the *freedom unlimited*.
“Earn unlimited 1.5% cashback on all other purchases after your first year with the card.”
Is the 1.5% cashback limited during your first year with the card or do you earn less than 1.5% during the first year?
Hi Don. You’ll always earn at least 1.5% cash back (1.5x Chase Ultimate Rewards Points) for ever dollar you spend on the card. That isn’t limited to just the first year.