Chase Freedom vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

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The Verdict: The Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited cards both have $0 annual fees, give 0% intro APRs for 15 months and offer the same initial bonus. Both also require good-to-excellent credit for approval. The difference is that Freedom gives 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in bonus categories that change (1% back on everything else), while Freedom Unlimited gives 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

So choosing which Chase Freedom card to apply for comes down to whether you prefer the consistency of Freedom Unlimited’s flat-rate rewards or Freedom’s higher maximum rewards rate.

But you don’t necessarily have to choose. Chase allows cardholders to transfer rewards from one card to another. So you could get Freedom Unlimited for everyday spending and use Freedom only for purchases in its 5% bonus categories. This strategy isn’t for everybody, but it is possible. Below, you can find some more information that should come in handy whether you’re trying to pick between Freedom and Freedom Unlimited or use them both to maximum effect.

SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON

	Chase Freedom®   (2,530)	Chase Freedom Unlimited®   (483)
General
Network	VISA	VISA
Credit Card Company	Chase	Chase
Min Credit Required	Excellent or Good	Excellent or Good
Annual Fee	$0	$0
Purchases
Intro APR	0%	0%
Intro APR Period	15 months	15 months
Regular APR	14.99% - 23.74% (V)	14.99% - 23.74% (V)
Transfers
Intro APR	N/A	N/A
Intro APR Period	N/A	N/A
Regular APR	14.99% - 23.74% (V)	14.99% - 23.74% (V)
Transfer Fee	5% (min $5)	5% (min $5)
Rewards
Reward Type	Cash Back	Cash Back
Reward Bonus	$200	$200
Reward Cap	No	No
Reward Details	Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it's automatic Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.	Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases No minimum to redeem for cash back Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
Penalties
Max Late Fee	See Terms	See Terms
Max Overlimit Fee	See Terms	See Terms
Max Default APR	None	None
Cash
Cash APR	24.99% (V)	24.99% (V)
Cash Advance Fee	Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.	Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Other
Additional Info	0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99% - 23.74% Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠ No annual fee	0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99% - 23.74%. No annual fee
One-time Setup Fees	None	None
Foreign Transaction Fee	3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars	3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Grace Period	See Terms	See Terms

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Before you apply for a credit card we recommend that you review and verify the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card company's web site. Please let us know if you find any differences.

 

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