We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias.
But we may receive compensation when you click links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners.
As the publisher of credit cards at finder.com, Megan is passionate about helping you compare and find the best credit cards for your situation, whether that is earning great rewards or improving your credit score.
In her previous position, Megan worked as an assigning editor at Credit Karma, where she focused on editing and publishing educational articles on credit cards. Megan started her career as a writer at a comparison website, so she has a longstanding background in surfacing the best deals and helping people make decisions.
In her spare time, Megan likes to hike, camp, surf, and read.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is great for people who want to earn cash back and pay no annual fees. It’s not the most robust cash rewards card given its 1.5% cashback rate, but what it lacks in rate it makes up for elsewhere. Almost all purchases qualify, there’s no cap and rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit, a deposit or even gift cards and experiences through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening is where Chase Freedom Unlimited® really shines. Purchases and balance transfers are both covered under the introductory APR, which can lead to further savings.
After the intro period, the APR reverts to the purchase rate of
16.99% to 25.74% variable
. The normal purchase rate is a bit steep compared to some competitors, but Chase Freedom Unlimited® still holds its own in other areas. Get a 60,000 Ultimate Rewards bonus with Chase’s checking account offer
The perks
SIGNUP BONUS: 3% cashback offer.
Earn a bonus 3% cash back for your first year on up to $20,000 in spending, then earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
INTRO PERIOD: Enticing 0% introductory period.
Pay no interest on purchases and balance transfers during the first 15 months from account opening. After the intro period, you’ll have a
16.99% to 25.74% variable
APR. Where your APR falls in that range depends on your creditworthiness.
How much cashback rewards can I earn with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a simple card for rewards and the new welcome offer means your first year can prove even more lucrative than normal. Here’s how much cash back you might earn during your first year based on these potential budgets:
$500 per month x 3% cash back = $180 cash back
$1,000 per month x 3% cash back = $360 cash back
$1,500 per month x 3% cash back = $540 cash back
Once you’ve spent up to $20,000 or your intro year is over, your cash back rate returns to 1.5%, so take advantage of your increased rate while you can.
Not having to pay a fee each year will help you keep this card around long-term and reap its cashback benefits.
Unlimited cash back.
After the cashback signup offer, You’ll earn 1.5x cashback rewards on everyday purchases, which equates to $1.50 for every $100 you spend when you choose to redeem your points for cash back. Accumulated points don’t expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Cashback redemption options.
Redeem your points for statement credits or bank deposits. You can also redeem points for gift cards, travel and experiences through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Security and protection.
Chase covers cardholders with zero liability, extended warranty and purchase protection. Extended warranty protection adds an extra year to US manufacturer’s warranties that are three years or less. Purchase protection covers damage and theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Case study: Kevin’s experience
Kevin Chen Writer
There are many glitzy credit cards, but the majority of consumers can get the most out of a flat-rate cashback product. It’s simple, likely has no annual fee and offers solid, consistent rewards.
That’s why I like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card. Day to day, I spend little in common bonus categories such as gas, dining and travel. My spending is spread across many categories — health and auto insurance, gym membership, random Amazon purchases, etc. — and my Chase card lets me earn solid points, no matter what I buy.
Pound for pound, the Citi® Double Cash Card can offer better rewards. But I’ve banked with Chase for a long time, so it was natural to get a credit card from the same provider. I like that I can easily redeem my Ultimate Reward points as statement credit or as a deposit to my checking account.
What is the Chase Freedom Unlimited® interest rate?
After your intro APR expires, your normal purchase and balance transfer APR will be
16.99% to 25.74% variable
. You’re more likely to qualify for a lower APR if you have a higher credit score.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a decent $0 fee card with just a few elements you’ll want to be cautious of.
Foreign transaction fees.
You pay a fee of
3% of the transaction value
of each transaction when you use this Chase credit card to shop overseas.
Balance transfer fee.
While you won’t pay interest on balance transfers in the first 15 months from account opening, you are still on the hook for a fee of
$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater
. This means that a transfer of $1,000 will cost you $50 in fees.
Case study: Ezra’s experience
Ezra Wolfgang Graduate Publisher
When I was 20, I figured I should start building up credit in order to be able to buy a car or a home in the future. A representative at my local Chase bank convinced me to sign up for their Freedom Unlimited card.
It’s a nice fit for college students looking to establish credit. When I signed up, I was encouraged to use the card for small purchases. Not only did this allow me to gradually build a solid credit score, but it taught me to sensibly manage my expenses. With the Chase mobile app, I can keep track of my spending on the credit card, read my monthly statements, pay my bill and check my credit score for free.
The only drawback is that it can take a while before you can extend your credit limit beyond the typical starting limit of $500 for those getting their first credit card. Otherwise, it’s a good way to build credit and develop smart spending habits.
What do customers say about the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Many cardholders praise the Chase Freedom Unlimited®‘s 1.5% cashback feature. However, a few customers expressed that they had trouble getting their credit limit increased.
Chase earns a Trustpilot score of 5.5 out of 10 at the time of this writing. Most negative reviews cite slow responses to fraud complaints and less-than-helpful customer service. Positive reviews cite the bank’s great mobile app and quick resolutions to their issues. Overall, your mileage may vary with Chase customer support.
The JPMorgan Chase Credit Card division earns an overall A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
How do I apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Go to Chase’s website and click Apply now.
Enter your personal contact information and click Next.
Enter your financial information — including your monthly salary and rental or mortgage payment — and click Next.
Enter additional details — including your Social Security number and mother’s maiden name — and click Next.
Review your information and submit your application.
How long will it take for me to be approved?
You typically find out about your application’s status minutes after you submit it online if everything can be immediately confirmed. If approved, you’ll get your card in the mail within 10 business days.
I got the card. Now what?
After reviewing your application Chase will issue you either a Signature or Platinum card. If approved for a Signature account, your credit access line will be at least $5,000. If approved for a Platinum account, your credit limit will be at least $500.
Manage your account online. Register with Chase Online to keep an eye on your spending and payments.
Steer clear of penalties. Late payments and returned payments can attract fees of up to $39.
Contact customer service. Looking for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® phone number? Don’t hesitate to contact Chase if you need any account-related information. Customer service can be reached at 800-432-3117. You can also connect with Chase on Twitter @ChaseSupport.
How do I redeem rewards from the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Log in to your Chase account to redeem rewards. Your redemption options include:
Between the $0 annual fee and the intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers, you can get noticeable savings with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Common questions about the Chase Freedom Unlimited®
You won’t earn cash back on cash advances, balance transfers, when paying for foreign currency, when gambling or on interest and fees.
The bank does not charge interest if you pay your account’s outstanding balance in full before each due date, which is typically 21 days after the close of your billing cycle. If you pay for your purchases within this window period, you’ll pay no interest on those purchases.
Yes, your balance transfer cannot exceed $100 or your available credit limit, whichever is lower.
Cashback card ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our team evaluates credit cards to determine their value against similar cards on the market.
We rank card types — travel, cash back, business — on a set of factors that are most relevant to that type of card. We create these rankings to help you narrow down a credit card that best suits your spending and budget.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
