The Chase Freedom Unlimited card now offers a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months through referral links. This is the same as the publicly available offer when you go directly with Chase.
Here’s what else the card provides in terms of rewards:
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
- 3% cash back on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and at drugstores
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
Additional benefits of the card include:
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR.
- No annual fee
Get full details of the offer.
Eligibility Criteria for Chase Freedom Unlimited
Here are a few things to keep in mind in terms of eligibility:
- You should have a credit score above 670 to apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
- You’re not eligible to receive the bonus for this card if you have received a new card member bonus for Chase Freedom Unlimited within the past 24 months.
- Chase generally does not approve applicants for new credit cards if they have opened five or more credit card accounts with any bank within the past 24 months (known as the 5/24 rule).
Because this card has no annual fee, we list it as one of our favorite starter credit cards.
How to Maximize the Signup Bonus
Maximizing your signup bonus now involves earning $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.
Remember, you’ll earn cash back on all purchases: 1.5% on all purchases, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on travel through Chase, in addition to the bonus.
If the Chase Freedom Unlimited is your only credit card, your redemption options are limited. In this case, your points are typically worth 1 cent each and redeemable for options like statement credits or gift cards.
However, Chase occasionally offers opportunities to increase the value of your points through special deals and discounts with retail partners. These promotions can make your points worth more than one cent each.
To maximize the long-term value of your Chase Freedom Unlimited card, consider pairing it with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred. By transferring points from your Unlimited to a Reserve, you can leverage them for travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program at a higher value.
For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve allows you to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.5 cents per point when used for travel through the Chase Travel Portal. This means the potential points you could earn with the Chase Freedom Unlimited in your first year would be worth 50% more.
You can further enhance the value of your Chase Freedom Unlimited points by combining them with another Chase card that offers access to transfer partners (such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred). This strategy allows for potentially even higher value redemptions – for example, transferring points to Hyatt.
For more on maximizing Chase points with different credit cards, see our post on the Chase Trifecta. And if you’re new to travel rewards, check out our award travel series for beginners.
Pros and Cons of the Chase Freedom Unlimited
Here are the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about whether to apply:
- Introductory 0% APR period. Enjoy 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- No annual fee. The card comes without an annual fee, making it a great keeper card to build your credit score.
- Reward flexibility. Cash-back rewards don’t expire as long as the account is open, with no minimum for redemption.
Cons:
- Balance transfer fee. A fee of $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
- Foreign transaction fees. A 3% fee applies for international transactions.
- Good credit requirement. At least a 670 minimum credit score is recommended before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chase Freedom Unlimited typically requires a good credit score, which generally means 670 or higher on the FICO scale.
Yes, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
No, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card does not charge an annual fee, making it a great starter credit card.
No, the cash back you earn with Chase Freedom Unlimited does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing with Chase. This means you can also open another Chase card down the road, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and then transfer the points from your Unlimited to the Reserve upon approval.
While the card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, it includes a balance transfer fee. The card fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Yes, rewards earned with Chase Freedom Unlimited can be used to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. However, they’re only worth one cent per piece unless you can transfer them to a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Final Thoughts
I’m a big fan of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. It’s one of the oldest cards I have, which helps build credit history. Plus, I consistently use it to build my Chase Ultimate Rewards balance, which I primarily transfer to Hyatt (as I also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve).
It’s an excellent choice as a starter card for building credit and a valuable tool for anyone interested in travel rewards. Of course, consider the Chase 5/24 rule if you’ve recently applied for multiple credit cards.
Click here to learn how to apply.
