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Brooklyn leads the content team behind product reviews and ratings at Motley Fool Money, ensuring readers get well-researched, expert-backed insights to make smarter financial decisions. With nearly seven years working full-time in financial content -- four of them at The Motley Fool -- she has developed a deep passion for personal finance, from investing strategies to everyday money management. Her financial goals include buying a house and planning as many trips as her budget allows. In her free time, you’ll likely find her listening to a pop culture podcast or telling anyone who will listen to get a high-yield savings account.
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Earning cash back is great, but spending it? Even better. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) card makes it easy to rack up rewards with competitive cash back rates, all while skipping the annual fee. Add in a generous 0% intro APR offer and the ability to transfer rewards to Chase's premium travel cards, and you've got a card that stands out in a crowded market.
But, for a limited time, this card just got even better. New cardholders are now being rewarded with an incredibly easy-to-earn welcome bonus. Earn a $250 bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months – that’s a quick 50% back on your spend!
Curious to learn more? Below, I'll dive into why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is a favorite for cash back enthusiasts.
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
Credit Score:
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)
Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Credit Score
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.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
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
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Rewards
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
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Limited Time Intro Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Earn $250 cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the ideal all-in-one card, offering both big upfront value and long-term rewards. For a limited time, new cardholders can earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. Plus, enjoy unlimited 3% back on dining and drugstores, 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel, and 1.5% on all other purchases. With the added benefit of 0% intro APR for 15 months, this card is perfect for a one-card wallet.
Innovative sign-up bonus
Purchase and travel protections
Robust rewards program
Great intro APR
No annual fee
Limited bonus opportunities on everyday spending
Foreign transaction fee
Limited Time Intro Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 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.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
Who should consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited card?
If you want a straightforward way to earn cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card deserves your attention. This card makes it easy to put money back in your wallet, whether you're grabbing late-night cold medicine for the kids or booking a dream vacation to Hawaii.
Plus, it's part of the Chase ecosystem, which means you can supercharge your rewards by transferring them to other Chase cards, like the premium Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve cards. That flexibility makes this card a standout choice for everyday spending and long-term rewards.
What I like about the Chase Freedom Unlimited card
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card has earned its popularity. Here's why I think this credit card continues to be a crowd favorite:
Solid cash back rates
This card offers solid cash back across a variety of everyday spending categories:
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
These rates hold up well against other top rewards cards, making it a reliable option for consistent rewards across multiple categories.
Transfer points between Chase cards
One of the biggest perks of the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is the ability to transfer points between Chase cards. By pairing this card with a Chase Sapphire card, you can maximize your earning potential.
Use Chase Freedom Unlimited® for categories where it offers higher rates; use a Sapphire card for categories like travel and dining where it shines. Then, combine your rewards into one account to get even more value -- especially if you're planning to redeem them for travel.
0% intro APR offer
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. The go-to 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR applies at the end of the intro period.
While 15 months is fairly standard amongst our favorite cash back cards, it's a nice bonus for anyone looking to manage existing debt or finance a large purchase without paying interest.
Brian's favorite feature
The welcome offer alone makes the Chase Freedom Unlimited® one of the highest rewards earning cards with no annual fee. I use it as an everyday carry card for racking up cash back in all spending categories. When I transfer cash back to my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, I can turn it into Chase Ultimate Rewards points and redeem for travel at 1.25 cents per point to maximize my rewards.
-Brian Frey, Partnerships & Licensing for Motley Fool Money, real user of Chase Freedom Unlimited
Downsides you should consider
Some cards earn higher cash back in certain categories
If you're willing to juggle multiple cards, you could find higher cash back rates in specific categories, like groceries or travel. However, some of these cards charge annual fees, which the Chase Freedom Unlimited® doesn't have.
Foreign transaction fees
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card isn't ideal for international travel. With a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars tacked on, you'll want to leave this card at home if you're heading abroad. I personally have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. So if you're interested in international travel, that's a better option for you.
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.
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
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
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.
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
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
2% cash rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Intro:
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
4.00/5
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
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
1.5-3 points per dollar
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers
may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
It's always a good idea to check in with your credit score before applying for a credit card. If you're interested in applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, I recommend a credit score of at least 670, as this card is targeted toward established cardholders with good credit.
Chase has a record of denying applications from individuals who apply for a lot of credit cards in a short window of time. If you've applied for at least five credit cards over the last two years, it's unlikely Chase will approve you for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card.
If you find yourself afoul of Chase's 5/24 rule, but you'd still like a cash back credit card, check out our list of top-rated cash back cards to find one that isn't issued by Chase.
Fill out the online application
Chase's online application is quick and easy. You'll need your basic information, including your address, SSN or ITIN, and income information. Some people receive a decision instantly, while others may wait a few days. Your new card will be mailed to you if you're approved.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card stands out as a no-fuss cash back card with impressive flexibility. Its combination of competitive rewards, a 0% intro APR, and no annual fee make it a strong contender for a spot in your wallet.
If you're ready to simplify your spending and maximize your rewards,click here to apply now.
It's recommended that applicants have a good credit score (above 670) before applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card.
No, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card does not have an annual fee.
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