Chase Freedom Unlimited Card vs. Freedom Flex Card [Detailed Comparison]

Key Takeaways

• Both cards earn 3% cash-back on dining and drugstores, but the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® earns 1.5% cash-back on other purchases compared to the Chase Freedom Flex^® which earns 1% cash-back.
• The Freedom Flex card offers 5% cash-back on quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter) and cell phone protection.

While there is really no such thing as a fun credit card, spending on the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® or the Chase Freedom Flex^® comes as close to fun as you can have with a credit card.

No, the cards don’t come with fancy lounge access or luxury department store purchase credits, but there’s a lot to love each time you pull either card from your wallet to make a purchase.

We’ll talk about how these cards can fit perfectly into your daily routine and also how the cards partner well with premium Chase cards to elevate the value you receive.

Warning — it may be difficult to select just one of these cards but we’ll attempt to lay out all the facts so you can ultimately determine if there’s a winner, or if perhaps both cards are winners.

Welcome Bonus Comparison

Freedom Unlimited Card

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

Freedom Flex Card

Chase Freedom Flex^®

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.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Welcome 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 Flex^® sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%
• Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 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 unlimited 1% cash back 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!
• 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 Flex^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time 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: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

A welcome offer is a unique opportunity to jumpstart your rewards earning.

The card with the best welcome bonus may differ depending on when you apply. Be sure to check for current welcome bonuses, pricing, and terms and conditions at the time of application.

Earning Potential

Both of our featured cards earn cash-back in the initial form of Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash-back, travel, and other options we’ll tell you about momentarily.

Right now, let’s look at how the cards compare when it comes to earning potential.

If you were to maximize the quarterly bonus earnings, you would receive $300 in earnings each calendar year with the Freedom Flex card. It would take $20,000 in annual spending at 1.5% cash-back to equal that amount with the Freedom Unlimited card — less if your spending mix includes the 3% and 5% categories.

If your spending mix is more in non-bonus categories, you may fare better earning 1.5% on all purchases with the Freedom Unlimited card.

It’s also worthy to consider having both cards in order to take advantage of both quarterly bonus category earnings and earning 1.5% on all other purchases.

Bottom Line: The card that wins in the earning category will depend on your spending mix and whether you are able to utilize quarterly bonus categories. Sample quarterly bonus categories in the past have included home improvement stores, gas stations, grocery stores, drugstores, warehouse clubs, restaurants, Amazon, and streaming services. 

Redemption Options

Redeeming rewards may seem simple as you’re earning cash-back, right?

Redemption options for your points include:

• Statement credits, travel, and cash at 1 cent per point
• Gift cards, Amazon and Apple shopping, experiences

Note that some redemption options could result in less than 1 cent per point in value and may not be a good choice.

The Power of Pairs

While the redemption value of Ultimate Rewards points earned on our featured cards is generally around 1 cent each (you may receive more when redeeming for gift cards), you can leverage those same points into a greater value with a premium Chase credit card.

Transferring points to either of these premium Chase cards could deliver value for your Ultimate Rewards far beyond 1 cent per point.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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 fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.74% - 27.99% 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 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
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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

When redeeming points for travel via the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you will receive up to 1.75 cents per point via the Chase Travel portal with Points Boost offers. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card allows you to redeem for travel via the portal at up to 2 cents per point.

Also, once transferred to either of these premium cards, Ultimate Rewards points can then be transferred to airline and hotel partners where you may receive even greater potential value. For examples of some of the best ways to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase transfer partners, we’ve put together some inspiring redemption options.

Hot Tip: While it’s common to transfer Ultimate Rewards points between personal Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning cards, you can also transfer points between Chase personal and Chase business cards, and vice versa. 

Travel Protections & Benefits

You’ll receive these benefits with both the Freedom Unlimited card and the Freedom Flex card.

• Car Rental Insurance — Both cards come with secondary car rental insurance. Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other insurance that applies before the card coverage kicks in.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Coverage — Receive up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 per trip if a covered loss prevents you from traveling or interrupts your trip.
• Travel and Emergency Services — Receive assistance 24/7 when you’re traveling for services such as medical/legal referrals, translation services, and more. The cardholder pays the cost of all actual services provided.
• Roadside Dispatch — Get help with just 1 call when you need towing, a flat tire changed, emergency fuel, or other roadside assistance. You’ll pay just 1 low fee for the service call.

Bottom Line: Both cards carry equal travel protections and benefits including secondary car rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, travel and emergency services, and roadside dispatch services. 

Shopping Protections & Benefits

Both of our featured cards come with several of the same shopping protections and benefits:

• Purchase Protection — Pay for an eligible item with your card and receive up to 120 days of protection against theft, accidental damage, or “involuntary and accidental parting.” Coverage is limited to $500 per item, $50,000 per account.
• Extended Warranty — Eligible items with a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less will receive 1 additional year. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account.
• Chase Offers — Save money on your purchases by adding Chase shopping offers to your account. Examples of offers have included spending $35 at AT&T to receive $35 back and save $5 on a $10 purchase at Panera.
• Chase Shopping Portal — Earn up to 25 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent when shopping via the Chase Shopping Portal. Access the portal by logging into your online card account and select Ways To Earn, then Shop Through Chase.
• DoorDash DashPass — Receive a complimentary 6-month membership if a new enrollee (normally $10 per month). Membership includes free food delivery and reduced service fees on orders of $12 or more. Register by December 31, 2027.

In addition to the above protections and benefits, the Freedom Flex card offers cell phone protection. Pay for your monthly wireless bill with your card and receive up to $800 for theft or damage. Claims are limited to 2 each year and a $1,000 maximum annual benefit. There is a $50 deductible for each claim.

Bottom Line: Both of our featured cards come with the same level of shopping protections and benefits, including purchase protection, extended warranty, and elevated earnings and savings when shopping through the Chase Shopping Portal and with Chase Offers. You’ll also find a 0% APR on purchases and complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership with both cards. The Freedom Flex card has the edge here, however, with the addition of cell phone protection.

Which Card is Best – Summary

While our featured cards are very similar, let’s see how they stack up when we look at the features and benefits side by side.

Here’s how the cards compare in each category:

Everything Else You Need To Know

Our featured cards count toward Chase’s 5/24 rule that states you cannot have 5 or more credit cards opened from any issuer in the past 24 months. You will be denied a new card if you are in this situation.

For this reason, you’ll want to plan your card applications accordingly.

The Freedom Unlimited card utilizes the Visa network while the Freedom Flex card is a Mastercard.

Final Thoughts

Expectations might be low for a no-annual-fee card, but the Freedom Unlimited card and Freedom Flex card bust that myth with robust earning potential, flexible redemption options, and travel/shopping benefits that can save you money.

And, when paired with a premium Chase rewards card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Ultimate Rewards earned on either Freedom card are worth up to 100% more for travel. Plus, once Ultimate Rewards are in your Sapphire card account, transferring to a travel partner can yield even more potential value.

If you’re just getting started or want to add to your Chase card portfolio, either of our featured cards could be a good choice for earning lots of additional Ultimate Rewards points.