Chase Freedom Unlimited Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card [Detailed Comparison]

Key Takeaways

• The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® earns 3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® earns 8x points on travel booked through Chase Travel, 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3x points on dining.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is ideal for frequent travelers who want premium perks despite an annual fee, while the Freedom Unlimited card is a great $0-annual-fee everyday card.

Chase stands out as a highly respected card issuer that continually enhances its credit card products to reflect the demands and preferences of today’s consumers.

When shopping habits shifted to everyday purchases, for example, Chase responded by adding bonus categories for everyday purchases to a number of its products. Additionally, to acknowledge the need for and encourage charitable giving, Chase added the ability to redeem points earned on several cards for statement credits for eligible charitable donations.

As the issuer’s portfolio of cards continues to evolve, so do your choices. You can select an everyday no-annual-fee card that still earns well on every purchase you make or a premium Chase card that comes with all the travel benefits you’ll ever need.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® are clear examples that illustrate the range of card choices with Chase. And while you might feel you have to decide which card is better for you at this moment in time, keep your mind open to the possibility that these cards may work best in tandem.

Overview

Before we dig deeper into the key attributes of the Freedom Unlimited card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, let’s glance at a high-level overview of the 2 cards.

Here’s an abbreviated comparison of the key features and benefits of both of our featured cards.

Value of a Welcome Offer

Immediately after approval for either the Freedom Unlimited card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll have an opportunity to earn a welcome bonus offer. Welcome offers are a unique one-time opportunity to earn a large number of points in a short period.

Here are the current offers for our featured cards:

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5% back on all other purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 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.
• 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 18.74% - 28.24%.
• 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

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

125,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Earning Potential

Each of our featured cards earns rewards on every purchase you make, as well as bonus earnings on specific category purchases.

Here’s how the earning potential compares between our featured cards:

A key strength of the Freedom Unlimited card is its elevated earnings on purchases not in a bonus category. Still, you also earn well when using the card to book travel through the Chase Travel portal.

If you have large purchases not in bonus categories, such as tuition, medical bills, or car repairs, the Freedom Unlimited card earns more rewards on them than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card primarily functions as a premium travel rewards card, offering strong earnings on travel purchases and restaurants worldwide.

Bottom Line:

The Freedom Unlimited card earns 1.5% back on most purchases and strong 5% earnings on select travel purchases through Chase Travel. Additionally, dining and drugstore purchases earn 3% cash-back. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, however, offers stronger overall earnings on travel booked through Chase Travel, as well as on flights and hotels purchased directly. Additionally, the card earns 3x points on dining purchases.

Redemption Options

Both the Freedom Unlimited card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card earn points that can be redeemed in several ways. Here are the choices you get at redemption time with each of our featured cards.

For a $0-annual-fee card, the Freedom Unlimited card offers several redemption options, including travel.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card, however, offers elevated value with the opportunity to receive up to 2 cents per Ultimate Reward point in value when redeeming with Points Boost. You may realize the most significant potential value by utilizing Chase airline and hotel partners. Transferring points earned on the card to book award flights and free hotel nights is a valuable redemption option.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers greater flexibility and better value at redemption time. One notable point, however, is that if you have both cards, you can transfer points earned on the Freedom Unlimited card to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to take advantage of the higher redemption value and be able to transfer to the Chase travel partners for even greater potential value. 

Statement Credits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a long list of statement credits for select purchases.

• Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck
• $300 statement credit each cardmember anniversary year for travel purchases
• $500 in credits with The Edit hotel collection. These are two separate $250 credits, one for the period from January through June and the other for the period from July through December. A minimum 2-night stay is required.
• $300 annual dining credit with Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, available for booking on OpenTable, delivered in 2 separate $150 biannual credits.
• $300 annual StubHub credit for concert and event ticket purchases, delivered in 2 separate $150 biannual credits for StubHub and viagogo
• $250 annual in annual value with complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music (separate activation required)
• Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward Peloton memberships

Some offers require registration. Terms and conditions, as well as additional information, can be found in your Chase Sapphire Reserve card online account.

Travel Benefits

Travel benefits can save you money or provide perks during your journey.

Here are the travel benefits exclusive to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card only.

Worldwide Lounge Access

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and access to over 1,300 locations worldwide.

• Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club (via Priority Pass)
• Priority Pass lounges
• Chase Sapphire Terrace
• Select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges

You’ll also be able to bring 2 additional guests to most lounges. Lounge access applies to authorized users on the card.

Hotel Program Benefits

The Visa Signature Hotel Collection: Freedom Unlimited Card

If your Freedom Unlimited Card is issued as a Visa Signature (most are), you have access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and the associated benefits.

• Best rate guarantee
• Room upgrade when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Continental breakfast and $25 food/beverage credit
• VIP guest status
• 3:00 pm check-out on request, when available

The benefits are available on over 900 properties worldwide and can be booked through the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection website.

The Edit by Chase Benefits: Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

You get elite-style benefits, including room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available, daily breakfast for 2, a special on-site amenity worth up to $100, and complimentary Wi-Fi with each stay. Reservations and payment must be made with your eligible Chase card, and a minimum 2-night stay is required.

Don’t forget to use your $500 The Edit credits (up to $250 in credits twice per year) for your stays by booking through Chase Travel.

Car Rental Program Benefits

Enjoy National Emerald Club Executive membership with National, plus discounts and elite-style benefits with Avis. Log in to your Chase card account and register to receive the benefits.

Travel Protection Perks

It’s common to experience setbacks during your travels. Having travel insurance protection can provide an element of peace of mind during your trip.

Auto Rental Coverage

Rental car insurance can be secondary (you must first file a claim with other applicable insurance) or primary insurance that kicks in right away at the time of loss. The Freedom Unlimited card comes with secondary auto rental coverage, whereas the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with primary auto rental coverage.

With either card or coverage level, you must pay for the entire rental with your card and decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage. You’ll then be eligible for rental car coverage, which includes damage, theft, loss of use, and towing. Terms and conditions apply.

Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, and Trip Delay

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

If your covered trip needs to be canceled or is interrupted for a covered reason, you may receive up to $10,000 per covered person, up to a maximum of $20,000 per covered trip. If your trip is delayed by more than 6 hours or results in an overnight stay, you may be eligible to receive up to $500 per ticket for lodging and covered incidentals.

Freedom Unlimited Card

You could receive up to $1,500 per covered person, up to $6,000 per coverage trip, if your trip needs to be canceled or is interrupted for a covered reason. The Freedom Unlimited card does not offer trip delay coverage.

Travel Emergency Assistance

Have access to 24/7 emergency assistance should a covered event occur during your travels. Services include translator, legal, and medical referrals, as well as help with emergency transportation, ticket replacement, and lost luggage, among other services.

Additional Protections (Chase Sapphire Reserve Card only)

In addition to the travel protections listed above, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers these additional protections:

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

Pay for your common-carrier trip with your card and receive emergency evacuation services, up to $100,000.

Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage

Receive up to $2,500 in coverage for emergency medical or dental coverage and $75 per day for a hotel if recovery is needed (up to 5 days). There is a $50 deductible per claim.

Roadside Assistance

Never worry when you’re stranded on the roadside — help is on the way. You’ll receive up to 4 service calls each year, with a maximum of up to $50 per call. Any remainder will be charged to your card. Services include limited towing, tire changing, lockout service, emergency fuel, and more.

Lost and Delayed Baggage Insurance

If your baggage is lost, you may be eligible to receive up to $3,000 per covered person. For baggage that is delayed for more than 6 hours, you could receive up to $100 a day for up to 5 days for necessary incidentals.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

While the Freedom Unlimited card is ideal for use while traveling domestically, it does charge a foreign transaction fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card does not charge these fees, making it a perfect card for international travel.

Bottom Line: While the Freedom Unlimited card offers secondary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and travel emergency services, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is superior for its extensive list of travel benefits and protections. The card, however, comes with a significantly higher annual fee.

Shopping Benefits and Protections

Shopping benefits can save you money on purchases made with your card, while shopping protections can provide economic relief should something go wrong with an eligible purchase.

Shop through Chase and Chase Offers

Earn rewards faster and save money with both the Freedom Unlimited card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card by making purchases via the Chase shopping portal and using Chase Offers.

The Shop through Chase shopping portal offers additional earnings at select retailers that are over and above what you’d typically earn by shopping with your card. Just log in to your Ultimate Rewards online account to see the list of hundreds of stores.

Chase Offers are in your online card account. Log in to your Chase card account, add the offers to your eligible card, and make the associated purchase to receive the statement credit offer.

DoorDash

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you receive at least 1 full year of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership if you activate your membership by December 31, 2027. You receive a $5 monthly DoorDash credit, 2 $10 monthly credits for uses other than restaurants, free delivery, and reduced service fees with your free membership.

Freedom Unlimited cardholders receive the same free delivery and reduced service fees with a complimentary 6-month DoorDash DashPass membership when they activate the benefit by December 31, 2027 (if a new enrollee). At the end of the complimentary period, they are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Cardholders also receive a quarterly $10 non-restaurant credit while enrolled in DashPass.

Purchase Protection

If an eligible item purchased with your card is damaged or stolen within the first 120 days after the purchase date, you could receive up to $500 per claim with the Freedom Unlimited card or up to $10,000 per claim with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Each card has a limit of $50,000 per account.

Extended Warranty

Eligible items with manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less receive 1 additional year of coverage.

Additional Shopping Benefits and Protections

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

• Return Protection: If a merchant refuses to accept the return of an eligible item purchased with your card within 90 days of the purchase date, you may be eligible to receive up to $500 per item, up to $1,000 per year.

Freedom Unlimited Card

• Introductory 0% APR Period: If you have large purchases coming up, you could save money on interest charges with the Freedom Unlimited card’s 0% introductory APR benefit. It offers 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%

Bottom Line: The Freedom Unlimited card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offer similar shopping benefits and protections. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, however, offers a broader DoorDash benefit, increased purchase protection limits, and return protection. If you have a large upcoming purchase or need to transfer a high-interest credit card balance, the Freedom Unlimited card could save you money with the introductory 0% APR period. 

Annual Fees and Adding Authorized Users

The Freedom Unlimited card has a $0 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card charges an annual fee of $795.

You can add authorized users to the Freedom Unlimited card for no additional charge. There is a fee of $195 for each authorized user added to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Bottom Line: Although the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a high annual fee and a charge to add each authorized user, it offers a long list of premium travel benefits for the primary cardholder and authorized users. Worldwide lounge access is an example of the added value offered with the card. 

Benefits of Higher Spending

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card provides additional benefits for cardholders who spend $75,000 or more annually.

• Southwest Airlines A-List Status and a $500 Southwest Airlines credit when booked through Chase Travel
• $250 credit to the Shops at Chase
• IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers significantly more earning potential, redemption options, statement credits, and travel insurance benefits than the Freedom Unlimited card. It also comes with a higher annual fee. If you’re not comfortable with paying a higher annual fee or you won’t use enough of the benefits on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to validate the expense, the Freedom Unlimited card can still deliver plenty of value.

We mentioned at the beginning of this article that it wasn’t necessary to select from either of these 2 cards because they can work very well in tandem. If you can utilize the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card (and don’t mind the annual fee) but still want to earn at least 1.5% on every purchase, there’s value in having both cards.

For example, you could use the Freedom Unlimited card for purchases that don’t fall within the bonus categories on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. You could then transfer those points to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and redeem them for travel with increased value. You could then take advantage of the ability to transfer points to hotel and airline partners for potentially even greater value.

Before considering any Chase credit card, however, you should be aware of Chase’s unwritten rule that affects whether you can be approved for any of the issuer’s credit cards. Chase’s 5/24 rule means that you can only have been issued up to 5 credit cards from any source in the past 24 months to qualify for approval.