Updated
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
The Chase Freedom lineup includes some of the most popular Chase credit cards. All the Chase Freedom cards have similar sets of features, but there are also some differences. In this guide to Chase Freedom benefits, you'll learn about every important perk that can help when you're comparing credit cards to decide which one is right for you.
Overview
Below, we'll go into detail about the differences between these two cards. But before we jump in, here's a quick side-by-side comparison.
As of May. 08, 2024
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| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! $200 bonus |
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 Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. Up to $300 cash back |
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Rewards Program: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. 5% cash back offer |
Rewards Program: Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases 1.5% - 5% cash back |
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Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months |
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months |
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Regular APR: 20.49%-29.24% Variable |
Regular APR: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
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Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was originally known for its unlimited 1.5% on purchases. Chase has since upgraded the card to include bonus categories, but the credit card company kept that 1.5% cash back rate for non-bonus category spending. Here's the full list of what you get with this rewards card.
Great sign-up bonus
This card comes with a sign-up bonus: 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 Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to 5% back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% cash back on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
0% intro APR
This introductory 0% APR offer applies to purchases and balance transfers and lasts for 15 months after opening the account.
No annual fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® won't cost you anything extra, because Chase doesn't charge an annual fee for it.
Consumer protections
Eligible purchases made with your Chase Freedom Unlimited® will qualify for the following Chase card benefits:
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days, up to maximums of $500 per claim and $50,000 per account
- Extended warranty protection: Extends U.S. manufacturers' warranties by one year. Applies to eligible warranties of three years or less.
Travel protections
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® includes the following built-in travel protections for eligible purchases made with the credit card:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You can get theft and collision coverage in the U.S. and abroad. You'll need to decline the rental company's coverage and pay the full rental cost with your Chase card. For car rentals in the United States, this coverage is secondary to your personal insurance.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, non-refundable passenger fares.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ benefits
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ stands out for its rotating 5% back categories. It's also a World Elite Mastercard®, so it has a few additional benefits compared to the other Visa cards in the Freedom lineup. Other than that, this card has many of the same perks as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
$200 bonus
You just need to spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of opening the Chase Freedom Flex℠ to collect this $200 bonus. To sweeten the pot, in the first year you'll also get 5% cash back on combined gas and grocery purchases on up to $12,000 spent.
Up to 5% back
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns:
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
You can see which rotating bonus categories this card offers each quarter with a Chase Freedom bonus calendar. To activate the rotating bonus categories, either log in to your Chase account or call the card issuer at the number on the back of your card.
Choosing a credit card
Don't you wish you could take a peek inside a credit card expert's wallet sometimes? Just to see the cards they carry? Well, you can't look in anybody's wallet, but you can check out our experts' favorite credit cards. Get started here:
0% intro APR
This 0% introductory APR lasts for 15 months and applies to your purchases and balance transfers.
No annual fee
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is free to carry, as it has no annual fee.
World Elite Mastercard® benefits
Since this is a World Elite Mastercard®, it includes the following complimentary extras:
- A $5 Lyft credit once per month when you take three rides in a month
- $3 off Peacock Premium or $5 off Peacock Premium Plus each month if you pay your subscription with your World Elite Mastercard®
- A free ShopRunner membership with free two-day shipping with hundreds of retailers
- Free delivery on Instacart+ orders for two months and $10 off your second order each month
Consumer protections
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ has the following built-in protections for eligible purchases you make with it:
- Cellphone protection: Protects against covered theft or damage for phones listed on your monthly cellphone bill if you pay it with your eligible Chase card. Covers up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year, up to a maximum of two claims in a 12-month period and with a $50 deductible per claim.
- Purchase protection: Protects new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days, up to a maximum of $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended warranty coverage: Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer's warranty by one year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
Travel protections
When it comes to travel protections, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers the following on eligible purchases made with the credit card:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Protects against theft and collision in the United States and abroad. To get this coverage, you must decline the rental company's coverage and use your Chase card to pay the full rental cost. In the United States, this coverage is secondary to your personal insurance.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimburses you up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip on prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares if your trip is either cut short or canceled because of sickness, severe weather, or any other covered situation.
Chase Freedom card benefits
The Chase Freedom is no longer open to applications. It was effectively replaced by the Chase Freedom Flex℠ in September 2020. Consumers who have the credit card can continue to use it, however. Below, you'll find the Chase Freedom benefits it offered before applications were closed.
$200 bonus
When applications for the Chase Freedom were open, new cardholders could get a $200 cash back bonus. The sign-up bonus required $500 of purchases in the first 3 months.
Up to 5% back
The Chase Freedom earns:
- 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases across rotating bonus categories you activate each quarter
- 1% back on other purchases
If you're a Chase Freedom cardholder, you can still activate bonus categories every quarter to get your 5% back, either online or by calling Chase.
0% intro APR
New Chase Freedom cardholders could get a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases.
No annual fee
All the cards in the Chase Freedom line are no annual fee credit cards, and this is no exception.
Consumer protections
Even though Chase no longer issues Chase Freedom cards, many of the cardholder perks remain. If you pay for eligible purchases with your Chase Freedom, you'll get a couple of protections:
- Purchase protection: New purchases are protected against damage or theft for the first 120 days. Coverage limits are $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended warranty protection: Adds one year to the U.S. manufacturer's warranty. This benefit covers eligible warranties of up to three years.
Travel protections
You'll get these travel protections on eligible travel purchases when you pay with your Chase Freedom:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Insurance coverage that protects you in the event of damage or theft to your rental car. This applies to car rentals both in the United States and abroad, as long as you decline coverage from the rental company and pay for the rental in full with your Chase Freedom card. If you're renting a car in the United States, this coverage is secondary to your personal insurance.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Applies for trips that are either canceled or cut short for sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations. Coverage maximums are $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, non-refundable passenger fares.
Considering none of the cards charge an annual fee, the Chase Freedom lineup offers an impressive slate of benefits. You'll get cash back rates on par with the best credit cards, excellent sign-up bonus and 0% APR introductory offers, and quite a few valuable extras.
It usually takes a good credit score, specifically a FICO® Score of 670 or higher, to get approved for a Chase Freedom card. Read up on how to get prequalified for a Chase card to see whether you have a solid shot at approval. If your credit score is high enough, you just need to decide which Chase Freedom credit card is best for you: the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR | Learn More |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. N/A | 1% - 5% Cashback Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. |
Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular: 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Up to $300 cash back 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 Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | 1.5% - 5% cash back Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Intro: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months Regular: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
75,000 bonus points Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. |
Intro: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A Regular: 21.49%-28.49% Variable |
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Still have questions?
Some other questions we've answered:
FAQs
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Yes, you can apply for both. Keep in mind that Chase denies applicants who have opened more than five credit cards in the last 24 months (otherwise known as the Chase 5/24 rule).
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Yes, you can get a welcome offer on both cards.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Steven is a personal finance writer covering topics from mortgages to credit cards to market news. He has written for The Motley Fool Canada, Ramsey Solutions, Nerdwallet, Clever Real Estate, and other major outlets. Steven launched his writing career at the age of four with his first book, "Revenge of the Bad Guys." He currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.
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