Chase Freedom Unlimited®: More Than 1.5% Cash Back
See how its cash back rates work, where you can earn more than 1.5%, and which costs and conditions deserve attention before applying.
By: Zienic
Earn at Least 1.5% Cash Back
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on general eligible purchases, with no quarterly categories to activate.
Get 3% on Dining and Drugstores
Dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and qualifying drugstore purchases earn 3% cash back.
Earn 5% Through Chase Travel℠
Eligible travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ earns 5% cash back, the card’s highest ongoing rewards rate.
Pay a $0 Annual Fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a $0 annual fee, although interest and transaction fees may still apply.
How Do Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Actually Work?
Chase Freedom Unlimited® tracks the cash back you earn as points: every $1 in cash back is equal to 100 points. Those points can be used for available reward options such as cash, gift cards, travel and eligible purchases through participating redemption options, although redemption values can vary. For cash back, there is no minimum amount required to redeem. Cash can be received as a statement credit or deposited electronically into an eligible Chase account in the United States. Rewards also do not expire as long as the account remains open. The earning rate depends on the purchase: general eligible purchases earn 1.5%, dining and drugstores earn 3%, and eligible travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ earns 5%. For perspective, $500 in general purchases earns $7.50 in cash back, while $500 in qualifying dining earns $15 and $500 in eligible Chase Travel℠ purchases earns $25. This makes both the spending category and redemption method relevant when evaluating the rewards program.
Do I need to activate cash back categories?
No. Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not require quarterly activation for its standard rewards structure. Eligible purchases automatically earn according to the applicable rewards category.
Is there a minimum amount to redeem cash back?
No. Chase states that there is no minimum amount required to redeem rewards for cash back. Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit or as an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account in the United States.
Does 0% intro APR make balance transfers free?
No. The card currently offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, but a balance transfer fee still applies. After the introductory period, the applicable variable APR takes effect.
What Can the Card Cost After the Intro Period?
The $0 annual fee removes one recurring card cost, but it does not make every use of Chase Freedom Unlimited® free. The card currently offers 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. Balance transfers are still subject to a fee. After the introductory period, Chase currently lists a variable APR of 18.24%–27.74%. That distinction matters when comparing the value of cash back with the cost of carrying debt. A purchase can earn rewards and still generate interest when an eligible balance is carried under the applicable account terms. For example, the cash back earned from everyday spending does not cancel interest charges that may accumulate on an unpaid balance. The card may therefore work differently for someone who regularly pays the statement balance than for someone planning to finance purchases over time. Before applying, review the current APR, balance transfer fee and other pricing terms directly with Chase, since offers and account terms can change.