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

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is a travel rewards card with an annual fee and transfer partners, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is a $0-annual-fee card suited to everyday spending. Either card is a good choice, as both earn Ultimate Rewards points and can be paired for more rewards-earning and redemption options.

Let’s review the key features and benefits of both cards.

Quick Overview: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Freedom Unlimited Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a $95 annual fee and offers primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage up to $10,000 per person, and access to Chase transfer partners. With the Freedom Unlimited card, there’s a $0 annual fee, 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, and a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.

Both cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, and points earned from a Freedom Unlimited card can be transferred to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card account for use with transfer partners. The Freedom Unlimited card has a 3% foreign transaction fee, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has no foreign transaction fees (Source: Chase). With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can access a $100 Chase Travel hotel statement credit each account anniversary year.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Freedom Unlimited Card: Full Comparison

Welcome Bonuses Compared

Both cards offer a welcome bonus when you meet minimum spending requirements. You can earn the Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s bonus as Ultimate Rewards points. The Freedom Unlimited card’s bonus is marketed as cash-back, but rewards can be used as points when combined with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. Welcome offers can change, so review the current terms before applying.

BEST FIRST TRAVEL CARD

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

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% 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.

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, gas, EV charging, vacation homes, 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 and emergency evacuation. 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 (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation homes (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), 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 TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 – a value of $156.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

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

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

$200

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.

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

• 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 use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
• 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 18.24% - 27.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a welcome bonus offer that’s worth more than the Freedom Unlimited card, even with the $95 annual fee.

Earning Potential

Both cards earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but the Freedom Unlimited card functions as a cash-back card, initially earning rewards as points that can be redeemed for cash-back.

Here’s how both of these cards earn rewards, along with which bonus-category spending results in the best earning potential.

Bottom Line: Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Freedom Unlimited card have robust rewards earning, but the Freedom Unlimited card has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it’s a poor choice for international travel and foreign purchases. 

Redemption Options

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Freedom Unlimited card earn the same Ultimate Rewards points, but redemption options differ. If you have both cards, you can transfer Freedom Unlimited card rewards to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card account to access more redemption options.

These are your rewards redemption options and the values you can expect to receive for Ultimate Rewards points earned on each card.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card allows you to redeem points for travel via the Chase Travel portal for up to 50% more value and can receive even greater potential value when transferring points to airline or hotel partners. 

Travel Benefits and Protections

Here are some of the key travel protections you’ll find on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Freedom Unlimited card:

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver — Pay for your car rental with your card, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage and receive coverage for damage or theft of the rental car. Coverage is primary on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card up to $60,000 and secondary on the Freedom Unlimited card. Secondary means that you must first file a claim with any other insurance that applies before card coverage kicks in.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance — If your trip is canceled or disrupted due to a covered reason, the Freedom Unlimited card could pay up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 per trip. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card could pay up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip (Source: Chase).
• Roadside Dispatch — Pay 1 predetermined service fee to receive jumpstart or lockout services, towing up to 5 miles, fuel delivery (up to 5 gallons), standard winching, and spare tire changing.
• Travel and Emergency Services — Make 1 call to receive assistance 24/7 while traveling. Receive translation services, medical/legal referrals, assistance with emergency transportation, and more. Cardholders are responsible for the actual services received.

This coverage does not take the place of a comprehensive travel insurance policy, especially for costly trips where you need medical coverage.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Only

Travel Benefits

• $100 Hotel Credit — Book your hotel via the Chase Travel portal and receive a statement credit of up to $100 each card anniversary year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees — Use your card for foreign purchases without paying foreign transaction fees.
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS Credit — Use your card to pay for your application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS and receive a statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years.

Travel Insurance Perks

• Trip Delay Reimbursement — Receive up to $500 in reimbursement for eligible expenses due to a covered trip delay of more than 12 hours or overnight.
• Baggage Delay — If your bags are delayed more than 6 hours, you could receive up to $100 per day for up to 5 days for eligible incidentals, including clothing, toiletries, and cell phone charging cables.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement — Receive up to $3,000 if your luggage is lost or stolen.
• Roadside Dispatch — Get 24/7 roadside assistance. Cardholders are responsible for the services received.
• Emergency Evacuation and Transportation — For trips 100 miles or more from home booked with your card, coverage of up to $100,000 may be available for medical services and transportation if you require emergency evacuation.

Shopping Benefits and Protections

When you shop with either the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Freedom Unlimited card, you can take advantage of offers or use coverage if something goes wrong with your purchase.

Shopping benefits and protections include:

• Chase Offers — Receive a statement credit for qualifying purchases.
• Chase Shopping Portal — Earn up to 25 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent via the shopping portal.
• Purchase Protection — Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive coverage for theft, accidental damage, or “involuntary or accidental parting” for 120 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $500 per item, $50,000 per account.
• Extended Warranty — Extend the warranty by 1 additional year on eligible items with manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less that you purchase with your card. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• DoorDash DashPass — 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.
• Apple TV — Receive a complimentary 1-year subscription to Apple TV if activated by December 31, 2026.

Freedom Unlimited Card

• Introductory 0% APR on Purchases — Pay no interest charges on purchases for up to 15 months from card approval. After that, normal interest rates as indicated in the card table above apply (Source: Chase).
• DoorDash DashPass — Get a complimentary 6-month DashPass subscription. Activate by December 31, 2027 (must be a new enrollee).

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers valuable benefits, including primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation, interruption, and delay insurance, but the no-annual-fee Freedom Unlimited card also offers several benefits and protections that can also make it a good value. 

Annual Fees and Adding Authorized Users

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card charges an annual fee of $95, and the Freedom Unlimited card does not charge an annual fee.

Adding Authorized Users

Neither of our featured cards charges for adding authorized users.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a $95 annual fee, and the Freedom Unlimited card has a $0 annual fee. There is no charge to add authorized users to either card. 

Everything Else You Need To Know

Both of our featured cards fall under Chase’s 5/24 rule, which dictates whether you’ll be approved for a Chase credit card. If you’ve had 5 (or more) credit cards issued by any financial institution in the last 24 months, it’s unlikely you’ll be approved for a Chase card. You should have a good-to-excellent credit score to qualify for either card.

Both cards are Visa. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a Visa Signature card, and the Freedom Unlimited card can be issued as either a Visa Platinum (for credit limits under $5,000) or as a Visa Signature card.

Which Card Is Right for You?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a strong choice if you travel regularly, want access to transfer partners, or need primary rental car coverage and comprehensive travel insurance. Choose the Freedom Unlimited card if you don’t want to pay an annual fee, are planning a large purchase and want 0% APR, or want to earn at least 1.5% cash-back on all purchases.

Consider both cards if you want to maximize rewards earning across categories. You can use the Freedom Unlimited card for flat-rate spending, then transfer points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card account to redeem points with transfer partners.

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers more value for travelers with transfer partners and travel insurance, and the Freedom Unlimited card is well suited to everyday spending without an annual fee. Both cards are a good choice — especially if you combine them.