Chase Offers the Best Travel and Rewards Credit Cards I'm here. Issuer cashback options are no exception. To better match the perks and benefits of Chase Freedom Flex℠, Chase has updated the already popular Chase Freedom Unlimited® with a mouth-watering bonus category on top of the traditional flat rewards.
But which of these cashback credit cards best suits your needs? It depends on your spending style and how hard you work to earn rewards. Both cards have no annual fee, but Chase Freedom Flex earns the most with its quarterly rotation of bonus categories, while Chase Freedom Unlimited offers steady category bonuses and offers all We offer 1.5% back on purchases of Both cards boost revenue in categories such as restaurant and drugstore purchases and travel purchases with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
If you are considering a new cash back credit card and are unsure which of these two options to pursue, read on to see how they compare. please.
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Main details
| Function | Chase Freedom Flex | Chase Freedom Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | $200 bonus when you spend $500 within 3 months of account opening | Bank rate offer: original cash on purchase plus 1.5 Earn % Back Rate in first year (up to $20,000) |
| Reward rate |
|
|
| First year APR | 0% first year APR for purchases and transfers for 15 months, then variable APR from 18.74% to 27.49% | 0% annual interest rate for purchases and transfers for 15 months , then variable annual interest rate 18.74% to 27.49% |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Highlights for Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited Lite
Both of these cash back credit cards can earn rewards on their own, but which one is right for you depends on your spending habits and reward goals. The next section explains how these two cards compare in some of the most important categories.
Welcome Bonus Winner: Depends
Chase Freedom Flex offers new cardholders a $200 welcome bonus when they spend $500 within 3 months of account opening. Chase Freedom Unlimited offered this same welcome bonus, but when new cardholders signed up through Bankrate, they received the original cash back rate at the time of purchase (up to $20,000) for the first year, plus additional Earn 1.5% cash back.
- 6.5% Back on Trip Purchases with Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 6.5% Back on Lyft Rides (through March 2025)
- 3% back on all other purchases
< li >4.5% back on food and drugstore purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited welcome bonus deducts annual fee It's surprising, especially considering the fact that many cards with s usually don't offer such a high reward rate on every purchase. When it comes to Chase Freedom Flex, its welcome bonus has a spending threshold that's very easy to meet and a cash bonus that's rare for a no annual fee cash back card.
The winner of the welcome bonus in this category depends on which category you spend the most in, how much you spend and how hard you want to work to get your reward. Considering the average cardholder spends around $15,900 a year, the Chase Freedom Unlimited welcome bonus could bring him $200 or more in extra cash back in the first year.
Reward Rate Winner: It Depends
Comparing the reward rates of these two cards is difficult. almost the same. Both cards offer the same bonus categories. 5% on travel booked with Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5% on Lyft rides (through March 2025), and 3% on meals and drugstore purchases.
The differences are: Chase Freedom Unlimited provides 1.5 percent back on all non-bonus spend (1 percent in Chase Freedom Flex), and Chase Freedom Flex backs up to $1,500 spent in the quarterly bonus category 5 percent back is provided (after activation) (
If you spend a lot of money on regular purchases that don't normally earn bonus rewards (utilities, kids' sports, daycare, insurance, etc.), Chase Freedom Unlimited can easily leave you with more rewards. end. After all, getting an unlimited 50% more rewards on all regular purchases (and even more in the first year) can lead to larger reward balances.
Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% by rotating quarterly categories after activation, but this is capped at $1,500 (1% at the time) on quarterly spend. This means you can earn up to $75 per quarter or $300 per year. The problem is that you don't have control over which categories are offered that quarter, so you may struggle to maximize your rewards. can't plan.
Annual Fee Winner: Tie
Both Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited have no annual fees, making them easy to keep in your wallet for the long haul. A no annual fee credit card is useful if you don't want to charge a lot on your card but want to get rewards for your spending.
Travel Award Winner: Ties
Both of these cashback cards offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Prepaid tickets and non-refundable passenger fares will be refunded up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip if travel is canceled or shortened due to illness, inclement weather or other covered circumstances.
However, please note that both cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee for all purchases made outside the US. This can add up quickly if you travel abroad frequently. If you travel frequently, we recommend pairing one of these cards with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card for zero foreign transaction fees. Chase Sapphire Preferred is considered one of the best entry-level travel cards due to its relatively low annual fee of $95.
By pairing Chase Sapphire Preferred with any card, you can pool points in your Chase Sapphire Preferred account to redeem travel through Chase, Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Marriott You can make one-to-one transfers to airline and hotel partners like Bonvoy, IHG and more. Reward. It's a flexible way to maximize redemption value through Chase Ultimate Rewards and Chase Travel Partners.
Which card earns the most money?
The card that gives you the most cash back depends on how much you spend each month and which category you spend the most money on.
An example of using Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited
Suppose you use a credit card for all your recurring expenses and household bills. You can also use your credit card to take advantage of the Chase Freedom Flex bonus category on a quarterly basis. Eligible categories for the first quarter of 2023 (January-March) are Target, Grocery stores (excluding Walmart), and fitness club and gym memberships.
So, here's what we spent in the first quarter:
- $500 monthly for grocery store purchases ($1,500 quarterly total)
- $250 monthly for restaurant meals ($750 quarterly total)
- Other $800 monthly expenses ($2,400 quarterly total)
Earn $121.50 in 3 months with Chase Freedom Flex. This is a $75 reward for grocery store purchases, a $22.50 reward for dining at a restaurant, and a $24 reward for other spending.
By contrast, with Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can earn $150.75 in 3 months in rewards for the first year. This is a reward of $45 for grocery store purchases, $33.75 for restaurant meals, and $72 for other purchases. After the first year, this same spending will earn you $81 in 3 months. $22.50 for grocery purchases, $22.50 for restaurant meals, and $36 for other purchases.
This example shows what the spending and rewards look like in the quarter that maximized the Chase Freedom Flex quarterly bonus category. Keep in mind, however, that things might be different in a quarter when bonus categories don't align well with spending. In that case, you could get 1% back on most purchases. So if you're spending a lot on purchases other than regular bonuses or don't plan on maxing out the bonus category each quarter, chances are you'll get back 1.5% of Chase Freedom Unlimited on your regular purchases. is higher.
Chase Freedom Flex Why should I get it?
Because the Chase Freedom Flex is a World Elite Mastercard, it comes with some unique benefits compared to the older Chase Freedom cards. Here are some reasons why you should consider signing up.
Additional Benefits
Chase Freedom Flex includes Purchase Protection Against Damage or Theft, Extended Warranty on Selected Items, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, Collision Waiver for Rental Cars, Travel and emergency assistance services.
Pay your phone bill with your credit card and enjoy other World Elite Mastercard benefits, including cell phone protection and special offers for ridesharing, food delivery, online shopping and more.
Redemption Options
Use this card to redeem rewards for cash back, merchandise, travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards, gift cards and more. For great redemption options, consider pairing this card with Chase Travel Credit Cards such as Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Recommended Credit Score
To be eligible for this rewards credit card, typically means a FICO score of 670 or higher. “cfu” aria-hidden=”true”>
Why Get Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Unlimited comes with pretty hefty perks. – Annual fee credit card. Here are some reasons why you should consider registering:
Additional Benefits
Similar to Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited benefits include Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance (with no annual fee). great deal for a card), collision damage waivers for auto rentals, travel and emergency assistance services, and more.
Redemption Options
Chase Freedom Unlimited can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise and travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you have a premier travel credit card such as Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, use your points to book with Chase or transfer points to top Chase Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partners. , and get even more benefits.
Recommended Credit Scores
To qualify for this rewards credit card, you must have good credit or better, which usually means a FICO score of 670 or higher. is required.
Chase Freedom Flex and Choosing between Chase Freedom Unlimited
Choosing between Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited might boil down to one question.
Why Chase Freedom Flex Cards?
If you have the time and skill to manage your reward categories, Chase Freedom Flex gives you the opportunity to earn rewards at higher rates over time may be of value because it provides
Earn 5% cash. Return to the rotating category (up to $1,500 per quarter after activation and 1% thereafter). This has in the past included online retailers, grocery stores, wholesale clubs, streaming services, gas stations, and more. This is in addition to the bonus cashback you earn throughout the year on meals, drugstore purchases, Ultimate Rewards trips, and more.
A cashback rate of 5% is one of the highest yields on the market. For one, however, it may take some smart planning to get the most out of the quarterly bonus categories. It also depends on how well your spending habits match your quarterly bonuses and how much effort you put into planning your purchases.
Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card?
Chase Freedom Unlimited is a simple cashback card for everyday spending, with generous reward rates on every purchase. Might be worth it if you're looking for…With this card, you can get at least 1.5% cash back on all your purchases without having to deal with rotating categories, earnings caps, or quarterly activations. You can earn
Of course, just like Chase Freedom Flex, you get 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases. You can still earn. Perfect for those looking for above-average reward returns without the fuss.
Conclusion
Pursue Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited and don't forget your spending habits. let's do it. Then decide whether you want to focus on maximizing your bonus categories or earning higher reward percentages on all regular purchases. Also, take the time to compare other credit cards on the market today, including other Chase credit cards. With some basic research, you'll find the card that's right for you and start earning cashback in no time.