If you're looking for a new cash back credit card, the Chase Freedom® and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® should be two of your top choices. Both cards have no annual fee and are part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. For people who value simplicity, we recommend the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you prefer to maximize rewards on your spending, the Chase Freedom® is a better choice.
Difference Between the Chase Freedom® and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Whether to choose the Chase Freedom® or Chase Freedom Unlimited® depends on your spending. The Chase Freedom® card offers 5% back on categories that rotate each quarter, up to $1,500 in spending. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers 1.5% back on every dollar spent—no matter the category—with no spending limit on rewards.
| Chase Freedom® | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase |
| Best For... | People looking to maximize rewards | People who value simplicity |
| Rewards Form | Ultimate Rewards | Ultimate Rewards |
| Purchase APR |
It's important to note that both cards earn Ultimate Rewards points and not straight cashback. These points can be redeemed for gift cards, statement credit and cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can also redeem Ultimate Rewards points for travel on the Chase portal or you can transfer your points to travel partners.
For Maximizers: 5% on Rotating Categories
Our Thoughts
The Chase Freedom® is an excellent card for people who have expenses that fall under the rotating categories. In years past, the quarterly categories have included gas stations, grocery stores, department stores, Lyft, Walgreens, wholesale clubs and mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can see examples of the old categories below, and you can view the current calendar by clicking here.
You'll get the most value out of the Chase Freedom® if you can max out the rotating categories each quarter—i.e., spend $500 each month in the eligible category for a total of $1,500 per quarter. With the 5% rewards rate, you'll get a total of $75 back per quarter when you hit the $1,500 spending cap. That's a total of $300 cashback per year.
For Simplicity: 1.5% on Every Purchase
Our Thoughts
While the Chase Freedom® is designed for people with predictable expenses in certain categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a card that can be useful for anyone. Regardless of category, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per purchase with no caps on spending. In contrast, the Chase Freedom® earns only 1 point per dollar on purchases that aren't in the rotating bonus categories and 1 point per dollar once the $1,500 spending cap is hit.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is particularly great as an everyday card, regardless of the other payment options you have in your wallet. Almost every credit card earns 1% back on purchases outside of their bonus category, whereas the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 1.5% back on all purchases. Plus, you can increase the value of the cash back you earn with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® when you pair it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® and redeem your rewards for travel.
Why Not Both?
If you have a good credit score and are responsible with managing credit, you'll get the most value by opening both the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Neither of the cards has an annual fee, and both excel in different areas. For example, once you hit the $1,500 spending max on the Chase Freedom®, you can switch to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Plus, you can use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for all purchases that aren't in the rotating bonus category of the Chase Freedom®.
Compare Cash Back Credit Cards
Use the tool below to see how each card works for your budget. You can click the gear icon to adjust the spending for each category. If you want more card options, you can also check out our list of Top Cash Back Cards of 2019.
FAQs About the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Check out the information below if you have unanswered questions about the Chase cash back cards.
What's the difference between Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Both the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are consumer rewards credit cards with no annual fee. The difference is that the Chase Freedom® earns 5% on quarterly rotating categories, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 1.5% back on all purchases.
Can I upgrade my Chase Freedom® to a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?
Yes. Both the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be upgraded to a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. You can request an upgrade by contacting Chase. However, we'd recommend keeping the no annual fee card and adding a Chase Freedom Unlimited® to maximize your rewards.
Can I change my Chase Freedom® to a Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes. You can request a product change from a Chase Freedom® to Chase Freedom Unlimited® and vice versa. However, we'd recommend getting both cards to benefit from both the 5% back on rotating categories and 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases.
Can I have the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes. You can have both cards at the same time, and we recommend doing so to maximize your rewards.
Can I use Chase Freedom Unlimited® on international trips?
Both the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be used internationally with a 3% fee in U.S. dollars on each transaction. Other Chase cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, have no foreign transaction fees.
Can you transfer Chase Freedom Unlimited® points?
You can transfer points earned on the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® to Chase's travel partners only if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Can I withdraw money from my Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes. For a fee, you can get a cash advance from both the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Can I downgrade my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to a Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes. You can downgrade both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® to either of Chase's no fee cash back card options.