Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Up to 5% Cash Back

The card_name is one of our top rated cards due to its signup bonus and excellent cash back rewards. Redeem rewards for cash or Chase Ultimate Rewards points, all with no annual fee.

Our Rating
4.9/5.0

Welcome Offer
Earn an extra 1.5%

Annual Fee
$0

0% on Purchases
15 months

Reward Rate
1.5% - 5%

0% on Balance Transfers
15 months

Welcome Offer

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Features & Benefits

SecurityCredit Score Monitoring, EMV Chip Enabled, Fraud Monitoring, Zero Liability, Identity theft protection
Contactless PaymentsTap to Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay
BenefitsExtended Warranty Coverage, Purchase Protection
Travel PerksAuto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Travel Assistance, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation Insurance

Rewards

1.5% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Drugstores
Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
3% cash back
Dining
Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
5% cash back
Travel
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Interest Rates & Fees

Annual Fee$0
Foreign Transaction Fee3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Regular APR20.49% - 29.24% (V) APR
Balance Transfers0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 20.49% - 29.24%(V) APR after that.
Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Purchases0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then 20.49% - 29.24% (V) APR after that.

What Credit Score Is Required to Get the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The following credit score data are based on publicly available information we have collected from various forums. We have no way to confirm the accuracy of this data. In addition, keep in mind that credit card issuers use a number of factors in their underwriting process, and these factors can change at any time.

App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved03/04/2022
724
TransUnion
$13,900
Approved03/04/2022
726
Experian
$13,900
Approved02/16/2022
772
Experian
$18,000
Approved02/16/2022
778
TransUnion
$18,000
Approved02/16/2022
803
Equifax
$18,000
Approved03/02/2022
793
TransUnion
$12,700
Approved06/07/2021
782
Experian
$4,700
Approved08/01/2021
772
Equifax
$13,200
Approved08/01/2021
773
Experian
$13,200
Approved08/01/2021
818
TransUnion
$13,200
Denied09/16/2019
758
Equifax
---
Denied09/16/2019
762
TransUnion
---
Denied06/13/2019
612
Experian
---
Denied06/13/2019
613
TransUnion
---
Pros
  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • Up to 5% cash back
Cons
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit

What Are the Best Alternatives?

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rating

4.5

Rewards Range

1% -10%

Annual Fee

$0

Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card

Rating

4.7

Rewards Range

1% - 5%

Annual Fee

$0

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Rating

4.5

Rewards Range

1%-6%

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

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Chase Freedom Unlimited Calculator

To crunch the numbers, use this Freedom Unlimited Calculator to estimate your annual cash back rewards and your overall reward rate.

The key is to determine whether the Freedom Unlimited can be your everyday card or should it take a backseat to a 2% cash back on all purchases card. If you spending doesn't get you at least an overall 2% cash back rate, a 2% cash back card will be the better deal.

For example, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we assumed monthly spending as follows:

  • $200 on travel
  • $300 eating out
  • $200 at drugstores
  • $1,500 on other purchases.

The result was $570 in annual cash back with an overall reward rate of 2.2%. And this doesn't include a first year bonus of $396. With these assumptions, the Freedom Unlimited would be a solid everyday card.

Other Chase Freedom Unlimited Benefits

The Chase Freedom Unlimited comes with several additional features:

The card includes Zero Liability Protection. This means that you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorized charges on your card, or the use of your account information. You also get a physical card with Chip-Enabled Security, for additional protection of your account.

One of my favorite features is Purchase Protection. This means that any purchases made with the card are protected for 120 days from damage or theft. (Note that there is a maximum of $500 per claim, and $50,000 per account.)

The card comes with Extended Warranty Protection. This protection extends for up to one year the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on eligible warranties of three years or less.

Lastly, the card is designed for contactless payment. In a world of global pandemics, contactless payment enables you to pay for something without touching the card reader.

FAQ

Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited a good credit card?

Yes. It's considered a competitive cash back card given its signup bonus, no annual fee, and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. There are some cards that pay 2% back on all purchases, but they can be harder to get and come with other limitations, such as an annual fee.

Is it hard to get approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The card requires a good credit score, generally 690 or higher. If you have a good credit score, steady income and comply with the Chase 5/24 rule, you should have a good chance at approval.