Chase Freedom Unlimited® review – December 2018

Get a signup bonus and earn unlimited cash back with this no-annual-fee card.

30-second take

• Get this card if you’re looking for cash back and no annual fees.

• Pick something else if you plan to use your card on frequent overseas trips.

• Apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 to 850.

Apply now

The basics

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.

The perks

• SIGNUP BONUS: $150 signup cash bonus.

  Spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening and you'll get $150.

• 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. Here’s how much cash back you might earn based on these hypothetical budgets:

• $500/month x 1.5% cash back = $90 cash back a year
• $1,000/month x 1.5% cash back = $180 cash back a year
• $1,500/month x 1.5% cash back = $270 cash back a year

You’ll also like …

• No annual fee.

  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.
  

  Earn 1.5x cashback rewards on everyday purchases, which equates to $1.5 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.

What to watch out for

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.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Consider other cards if …

• You don’t want to pay balance transfer fees.

  Consider the Chase Slate® credit card and BankAmericard® Credit Card, which waive balance transfer fees for a period of time after you open your account.

• You want more cash back in certain categories.

  For higher cashback rates on certain categories like gas or groceries, look into cards like the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

• Your credit history is so-so.

  If you have less-than-stellar credit, consider improving your score with a secured credit card. Look into the Discover it® Secured, which is an excellent product that allows balance transfers.

Compare Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Chase Slate® credit card

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American Express Cash Magnet™ Card vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

What you should know before applying

Eligibility criteria

• You’re at least 18 years old.
• You’re at least 19 years old if you live in Alabama or Nebraska.
• You’re at least 21 years old if you live in Puerto Rico.

What credit score should I have?

A good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher will increase the chances of your application being approved.

Apply now

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®?

1. Go to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® website and click Apply Now.
2. Enter your personal contact information and click Next.
3. Enter your financial information — including your monthly salary and rental or mortgage payment — and click Next.
4. Enter additional details — including your Social Security number and mother’s maiden name — and click Next.
5. 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. Once you receive your card, use it responsibly to avoid paying unnecessary fees, penalties or interest.

• 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 $38.
• Limit its use overseas. You pay foreign transaction fees each time you use this card outside the US. Learn more about cards that come with no foreign transaction fees.
• 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 1-800-432-3117. 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. Here are your redemption options:

• Cash.
• Gift cards.
• Travel.
• Products and services from third-party merchants.

Bottom line

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®.

An intro APR isn’t everything though, and you may need a rewards card that better suits your everyday life. You can look into balance transfer cards with rewards programs, travel rewards cards and even gas rewards cards.
Compare Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Freedom®

Common questions about the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Which transactions won’t earn me cash back with Chase?

  You won’t earn cash back on cash advances, balance transfers, when paying for foreign currency, when gambling or on interest and fees.

• Can I avoid paying interest on purchases after the initial balance transfer period?

  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.

• Does Chase impose a maximum limit for balance transfers?

  Yes, your balance transfer cannot exceed $100 or your available credit limit, whichever is lower.