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I've had the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) for years, and it's easily been one of my favorite travel credit cards. The points I've earned have helped cover flights, hotels, and even some unforgettable experiences. But I also know that not everyone spends like I do -- or wants to pay an annual fee. That's where the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) comes in.
Both of these Chase cards are incredibly popular, but they serve different purposes. One is built for maximizing travel rewards, while the other offers simple cash back on every purchase, with a $0 annual fee. In fact, pairing them together might be the smartest move. Below, I'll break down the key differences and help you decide which one (or both) belongs in your wallet.
Key differences between Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred
The biggest difference between these two cards? One is built for travel rewards, while the other focuses on cash back. That single distinction leads to a whole range of differences: how you earn rewards, what kind of welcome bonus you get, whether there's an annual fee, and even whether you get a 0% intro APR offer.
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
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
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)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
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)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Welcome Offer:
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 bonus points
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
Rewards Program:
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.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
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
Intro APR:
N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
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:
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Regular APR:
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Annual Fee:
$95
Annual Fee:
$0
Highlights:
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Member FDIC
Highlights:
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.
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.
Earning rewards: Which card gives you more value on spending?
Chase Sapphire Preferred: Bonus categories for travel, dining, and more
5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
2X points on all other travel
1X points on other purchases
Chase Sapphire Preferred also comes with two extra perks: a 10% anniversary bonus based on the points you earned the previous year and a 1.25x redemption boost when using points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Chase Freedom Unlimited: A higher base rate for everyday purchases
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
Which is better?
It depends on how you spend. Chase Freedom Unlimited® wins on everyday purchases with its 1.5% cash back on everything not in a bonus category. But if you travel frequently and redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card gives you more value with its higher redemption rate and transfer partners.
Travel benefits and protections: Which card is better for frequent travelers?
Both cards reward travel spending -- especially when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards -- and offer trip cancellation insurance and some form of rental car insurance. But if you're a frequent traveler, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the clear winner. It comes with premium perks like baggage delay insurance insurance, primary rental car coverage, and a $50 annual hotel credit. Those benefits alone can more than make up for the card's $95 annual fee if you travel often.
Another big difference? Foreign transaction fees. The Chase Freedom Unlimited charges a fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars on international purchases, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred has no foreign transaction fees, making it the better choice for international travel.
That said, both of these cards take a backseat to their luxury sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. If you want airport lounge access, better travel protections, and even more perks, and don't mind paying a higher annual fee, you may want to consider that card instead.
Redeeming points: How to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards
Both cards offer similar redemption options, including travel, statement credits, and the ability to combine points with other eligible Chase cards. But Chase Sapphire Preferred stands out when it comes to getting the most value, thanks to its transfer partners.
If you travel often, transferring Chase points to airline or hotel partners is the best way to maximize their value. Chase partners with 14 programs, including United, Southwest, World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy. With a 1:1 transfer ratio, you can stretch your points further and unlock premium redemptions that go beyond the standard $0.0125 per point value.
Annual fee and overall value: Is paying $95 for Chase Sapphire Preferred worth it?
One of the biggest deciding factors between these two cards is the annual fee (or lack of one). The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges $95 per year, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee at all. So, is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth the cost? That depends on how much value you can get from it.
Comparing the cost of ownership
For me personally, the $95 annual fee for Chase Sapphire Preferred is worth it. I get hundreds of dollars in travel rewards every year for my everyday spending, so the $95 fee pays for itself easily. Think of all the benefits:
$50 annual hotel credit when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Valuable travel protections, including trip cancellation insurance and primary rental car coverage
Higher point value ($0.0125 per point) when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
The ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, where you can often get even more value
With just the hotel credit alone, your effective annual fee drops to $45 -- making it much easier to justify.
When does Chase Freedom Unlimited's no-annual-fee structure make more sense?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better choice if:
You don't want to worry about an annual fee
You prefer simple cash back rewards over points
You want a 0% intro APR period, which the Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn't offer
You don't travel enough to take advantage of Sapphire's extra perks
If your spending is more general and you just want easy, no-fuss cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better choice. But if you want more travel value and premium benefits, Chase Sapphire Preferred can easily justify its $95 annual fee.
0% APR periods: How long can you finance your purchases?
If you're planning to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance, a 0% intro APR period is really important.
Chase Freedom Unlimited offers an impressive 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. This is ideal if you want some breathing room to pay off a big purchase or manage existing credit card debt without accumulating interest. After the intro period ends, the standard 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR applies.
In comparison, Chase Sapphire Preferred does not offer a 0% APR introductory period, making it less ideal for those looking to carry a balance over time. This card is designed more for those who can pay off their balance monthly to take advantage of its travel rewards and perks.
If a 0% intro APR is a key factor in your decision-making, Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better choice.
When it makes sense to have both cards
If you're comfortable with multiple credit cards, pairing both cards can be a great strategy to maximize rewards across all spending categories.
Use the Chase Freedom Unlimited for everyday purchases outside bonus categories where it earns 1.5% cash back (or more on drugstores, dining, and travel). Then, use the Chase Sapphire Preferred for dining, select streaming services, and online groceries to earn 3X points (or 5X on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠).
Plus, you can combine the points you earned from Chase Freedom Unlimited with Chase Sapphire Preferred. Then you can unlock more value through the Chase Sapphire Preferred's higher redemption rates and transfer options to travel partners.
How Brian uses both cards to maximize points
I use my Chase Freedom Unlimited as a catch-all card for 90% for my purchases, because I know I'm earning at least 1.5% cash back. And I use my Chase Sapphire Preferred for dining and travel to earn 2X-5X points. When I'm ready to redeem, I convert my cash back to points by transferring to my Chase Sapphire Preferred, then either book travel through Chase Travel for a 25% redemption bonus -- or transfer points to Chase Ultimate Rewards partners for potentially higher value.
-Brian Frey, Partnerships & Licensing for Motley Fool Money, real user of Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred
Final verdict: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
If getting both of these credit cards isn't the right strategy for you, here's how I'd decide which one to go with:
Choose Chase Freedom Unlimited if:
You want a simple, $0 annual fee card with higher cash back on everyday purchases, earning 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery and 1.5% on all other purchases.
It's ideal if you prefer cash back over points and want a straightforward rewards program. This card also works well if you don't travel often enough to take full advantage of travel perks and transfer partners, and it offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.
You want to maximize rewards on travel and dining with higher earning rates (5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, and 2X points on all other travel).
It's perfect if you're interested in travel benefits like annual hotel credits and no foreign transaction fees. If you're planning to use your points for travel, the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for premium redemptions is a huge plus. The $95 annual fee is worth it if you plan to take full advantage of the card's travel benefits and rewards boost.
Chase Sapphire Preferred is the better choice for international travel since it has no foreign transaction fees, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better option for everyday spending, offering 1.5% cash back on all purchases outside its bonus categories, plus 3% cash back on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery. It's ideal for those who want a simple rewards structure with a $0 annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great option for beginners who travel frequently and want to earn rewards for those purchases. The $95 annual fee is relatively low for the benefits, but if you're just starting out and don't travel often, the $0 annual fee Chase Freedom Unlimited might be more suitable.
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