Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Benefits for Active-duty U.S. Military Members [$1,700+]

The sacrifices made by those who serve in the military are significant. In addition to these sacrifices are the practical challenges of balancing duty, home, and commitment. One of the less-obvious challenges may be the potential financial burden.

Years ago, some of these financial challenges were addressed in the passing of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (SCRA) and later the Military Lending Act (MLA). We’ll talk more about these acts shortly, but for now, just know that these laws have resulted in savings for active-duty military members who hold credit cards.

Chase is a major credit card issuer that offers SCRA and MLA benefits. Today, specifically, we’re going to talk about how the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® card provides immense value for active military members and their families.

Here’s how Chase delivers card benefits for active military and the estimated potential value a member may expect with the Freedom Unlimited card.

How Do the SCRA and MLA Work?

The SCRA, passed in 2003, governs credit that was acquired by active-duty military members prior to their active-duty service, while the MLA (passed in 2006) applies to credit acquired during active duty.

There are several important protections included in the acts that apply to a variety of financial transactions such as mortgages, auto loans, and for our purpose today — credit cards.

Some of the benefits of the laws come in the form of no additional fees and capped interest rates, both of which result in savings for a military member:

• Interest rates on pre-service acquired credit are capped at 6% (SCRA)
• Maximum 36% interest rate (Military Annual Percentage Rate MAPR) on credit acquired during active-duty service, which would include fees, interest charges, application fees, etc. (MLA)

As the SCRA and MLA have been updated over the years, Chase also updated its policies, even going above and beyond the law. For example, any qualifying Chase account opened after September 20, 2017, under which the MLA would apply, receives waived annual fees for personal consumer credit cards and waived service fees.

In response to the SRCA, Chase capped interest rates at 4% for credit acquired prior to the 2017 date (versus the SCRA 6% requirement).

Hot Tip:

If you’re an active-duty service member who has been issued a credit card and has been charged fees and/or interest, you may qualify for a retroactive refund. Contact your credit card issuer and ask about any SCRA or MLA benefits to which you may be entitled.

Potential Value of Freedom Unlimited Card Benefits for Active-duty Military Members

Eligible service members save when Chase waives credit card fees, but members will also enjoy a long list of card benefits on the Freedom Unlimited card.

We’ve selected some of the key benefits of the card and estimated what each key benefit may potentially be worth.

Earning Potential and Redemption Options — Value of $760+

Earning potential is a key benefit of holding the Freedom Unlimited card. And, at redemption time, you’ll have more choices than just cash-back.

Here are the benefits, and the estimated value of earning and redeeming rewards on the card.

The Value of a Welcome Offer — Value of $200 to $300

Once you’re approved for the Freedom Unlimited card, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a welcome offer.

The value of the welcome bonus offer with vary, but it’s typically worth a few hundred dollars. Here’s the most current welcome offer for the card:

Referral Bonus Opportunities — Value of $100

You can earn even more cash-back when you refer a friend or family member who is approved for a Freedom Unlimited card or the Chase Freedom Flex℠. Just 2 referrals a year can earn $100 in cash-back, but you can refer many more — and receive up to a maximum of $500 cash-back per year.

Spending on the Card — Value of $460

We like that the Freedom Unlimited card earns at least 1.5% cash-back on every purchase you make. In addition, the card has specific bonus categories that receive elevated cash-back earnings.

Here’s a modest example of potential annual cash-back earnings:

• 5% cash-back on travel purchased via the Chase Travel portal and Lyft rides (through March 2025) for $5,000 in purchases = $250
• 3% cash-back on dining and at drugstores for $3,000 in purchases = $90
• 1.5% cash-back on $8,000 in miscellaneous purchases = $120

Cash-back earned on the Freedom Unlimited card is earned first in the form of Ultimate Rewards points. While you can redeem these points directly for cash, you’ll have several additional redemption choices.

Redemption Options — Value Varies

It’s difficult to calculate the value you’ll receive at redemption time as you’ll have many choices for using your Ultimate Rewards points. Each option can result in a different value for your points:

• Redeem points for 1 cent each for statement credits or cash transferred to your bank account.
• Redeem points for 1 cent each toward travel purchases via the Chase Travel portal.
• Transfer points to Chase premium cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^®Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve^® then redeem via the Chase Travel portal for up to 1.5 cents each.
• After transferring to Chase premium cards, then transfer to airline and hotel partners for award tickets or free hotel nights for even greater potential value.
• Redeem for gift cards, shopping at select retailers, or for a charitable deduction. The value received can be less than 1 cent per point.

Bottom Line:

You can earn several hundred dollars, or more, in cash-back with the Freedom Unlimited card by qualifying for the welcome offer, referring family or friends, and spending on the card. You’ll also find good value at redemption time.

Travel Protections and Benefits — Value of $455

Travel protections that come with the Freedom Unlimited card can provide coverage when something goes wrong during your trip but they can also save you money.

Here are the travel protections and benefits you’ll receive with the card:

Car Rental Insurance — Value of $200

Use the card to reserve and pay for your car rental, decline the CDW/LDW coverage offered by the rental agency, and receive secondary coverage for damage, theft, and reasonable charges imposed by the rental agency. Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other insurance that applies before card coverage kicks in. If you do not have other insurance, or if you’re traveling outside your country of residence, coverage is primary.

If you rented a vehicle for just 10 days each year, you could save an estimated $20 each day you did not have to pay for car rental coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption — Value of $200

You could receive up to $1,500 per covered person, up to a maximum of up to $6,000 per covered trip if your trip needs to be canceled or is interrupted due to a covered reason.

One covered trip cancellation due to family illness, a change in military orders, or the expense of a hotel room due to the airline canceling your flight because of weather, could each result in plenty of value.

Hot Tip:

One key benefit of the Freedom Unlimited card for service members is that a change in military orders for the member or spouse/domestic partner is a covered event for Chase trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance!

Roadside Dispatch — Value of $25

If you’re stranded roadside, you can make 1 call for service 24/7. You’ll be charged 1 flat-rate service fee that is pre-negotiated and includes limited towing, standard winching, emergency fuel delivery, changing of an inflated spare tire, lockout, and jumpstart services.

Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — Value Varies

There’s value in having access to 24/7 assistance when you’re traveling. This benefit provides help with finding translation services, English-speaking legal or medical referrals, assistance with lost luggage or passports, and more. Cardholders are responsible for the actual cost of services received.

Waived Foreign Transaction Fees — Value of $30

Chase will waive foreign transaction fees for active-duty military. If you spend $1,000 each year abroad, you would save $30 as these fees are normally 3% of the total transaction.

Bottom Line:

For a no-annual-fee card, the Freedom Unlimited card has several useful travel protections and benefits including car rental insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, roadside dispatch, and travel and emergency assistance services.

Shopping Protections and Benefits — Value of $320

The Freedom Unlimited card comes with several useful shopping protections that can provide coverage if something goes wrong with your eligible purchase and benefits that can save you money.

Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty — Value of $50

Eligible new purchases made with your card, including cell phones, are covered for 120 days from the purchase date for damage and theft with purchase protection. Coverage limits are $500 per item, up to $50,000 per account. Additionally, if a qualified item has a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less, extended warranty coverage will extend it by 1 year.

Introductory 0% APR Period for Purchases — Value of $100

If you have a major purchase(s) coming up, you could save money by paying back the purchase amount over time with the introductory 0% APR period. Receive 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.

Chase Offers — Value of $100

Chase Offers can help you earn additional cash-back. Log in to your online Freedom Unlimited card account and select Chase Offers from the list of eligible merchants and service providers and add to your card. Make the associated purchase using your card and receive additional cash-back as a statement credit.

DoorDash DashPass — Value of $30

After activating the benefit, you’ll receive a 3-month complimentary DashPass membership, normally costing $9.99 per month. Membership includes free delivery and reduced service fees. After 3 months, cardholders receive an additional 9 months of membership at a 50% discount. Note that this benefit must be activated by December 31, 2024.

Instacart+ Benefits — Value of $40

Activate this offer by July 31, 2024, and receive a complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership and a $10 quarterly credit toward Instacart+ purchases. Membership includes free delivery (orders over $35) and reduced service fees.

Bottom Line:

The Freedom Unlimited card comes with shopping protections and benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty, an introductory 0% APR period for purchases, Chase Offers, DoorDash DashPass, and Instacart+ benefits.

Additional Benefits

Introductory 0% APR for Balance Transfers — Value of $200

If you have other high-interest credit cards with balances, you can transfer those balances to the Freedom Unlimited card and receive a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.. This benefit allows you to pay back the balance over time without interest charges during that period. However, Chase waives balance transfer fees for active military members.

Qualification and Requesting Benefits

Who Qualifies for Military Benefits

If you are an active-duty military member or a reserve or full-time member of the National Guard who has been called to active duty, you may qualify for benefits with Chase under the SCRA or MLA.

Active-duty commissioned officers of NOAA, and the Public Health Service may also qualify.

Additionally, spouses, children, and qualifying dependents of active-duty service members may receive benefits.

Bottom Line:

Eligible active-duty military members and their families may qualify for waived annual credit card fees, additional waived service fees, and capped interest rates with Chase credit cards.

How To Apply for the Freedom Unlimited Card as a Military Member

First, you’ll need good to excellent credit, generally considered 670 to 850, to apply for the Freedom Unlimited card. We recommend having a score of 700 or above to increase your chances. You’ll also need some established credit and sufficient income to make monthly payments.

Once you know your credit score, you’ll want to review Chase’s 5/24 rule. Chase will not approve you for a card if you have been approved for more than 5 total cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.

Next, check to be sure your active-duty status is reflected in the Department of Defense database via the MLA website. If requesting benefits for a spouse/domestic partner, eligibility is confirmed via the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database. These are the databases also used by financial institutions to determine eligibility.

Apply for the Freedom Unlimited card, and once you’re approved, you can request benefits. Note that it is possible that benefits may be automatically applied if you are able to select “military” as your income source. You would subsequently receive a letter from Chase confirming this action.

How To Request Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)

Once you’ve applied and been approved for the Freedom Unlimited card, you can request SCRA/MLA benefits. Here’s how.

• Log in to your Chase online card account.
• In the upper left of the page, select Secure Messages.
• Select Compose Message.
• Under Inquiries select Military SCRA benefits.
• Complete the request including your account number.
• Attach the supporting documents.

Alternatively, you can call 877-469-0110 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays) to ask any questions you have about military-related credit card fee waivers. Internationally, call collect at 318-340-3348.

Finally, you can mail your request and documents to Chase, Attention SCRA Request, P.O. Box 183240, Columbus, Ohio, 43218-3240.

Bottom Line:

If you’re an eligible active-duty military member, you and qualifying family members may receive SCRA/MLA benefits on Chase credit cards. Once you’re approved, you may automatically receive benefits or you can easily request them via Chase secure messaging.

Additional Recommended Chase Cards for Military Members

During your active-duty status, when Chase waives credit card fees, you’ll want to consider credit cards that do have annual fees and come with greater benefits.

Here are 2 Chase credit cards we recommend for active-duty military members.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

We like that the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a low annual fee yet is packed with travel protections and benefits. We also like that at redemption time, you can redeem rewards for 25% greater value or transfer to airline and hotel partners for even greater potential value.

Here are some highlights of the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card for military members:

• Primary car rental insurance
• Trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, and baggage insurance
• Flexible, higher-value, redemption options
• Up tp $50 annual hotel credit
• No foreign transaction fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

Due to the fact that the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a high annual fee, the first and most valuable benefit for active military members is the waiver of the annual fee.

In the absence of an annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s benefits for military members put it near the top of the list of the best rewards cards for active-duty military members.

Here are some of the key benefits for military member cardholders:

• Waived $550 annual fee
• Up to $300 travel statement credit at each card anniversary year
• Priority Pass Select lounge membership
• Premium travel insurance benefits
• Earns flexible Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for 1.5 cents each for travel or transferred to airline and hotel partners for even greater potential value
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee reimbursement
• Shopping protections and benefits

Everything Else You Need To Know

Chase will waive all credit card fees except late fees and insufficient fund fees. Chase does not waive fees for business credit cards.

Final Thoughts

Some of the best travel rewards cards have high annual fees. These cards also come with a long list of corresponding premium travel benefits. For this reason, the best credit cards for active-duty military members will be those that have high annual fees that are waived by the card issuer.

With that said, you can still find value in a no-annual-fee card such as the Freedom Unlimited card. In fact, there is tremendous value when starting out to having the card to learn how credit card rewards are earned and redeemed.

With 1.5% cash-back on every purchase you make, bonus category earnings, flexible redemptions, and travel/shopping protections and benefits, the card could be a good choice for active-duty military members.

Plus, with no annual fee, it’s a card you can keep long after your active-duty military status has ended.