Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Review

If you have good credit and want a simple, solid cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a strong choice. Maybe you are new to rewards cards and want an easy way to start earning a little bit back on each purchase. Or maybe you just don’t have the time for more complicated rewards, even if they might be more lucrative. One caveat: this card is not for those who tend to travel abroad, since there’s a foreign transaction fee.

• Simple, solid rewards: You won’t have any rewards tiers, spending categories or limits to keep track of. And the cash-back rate is solidly on par with many competitors.
• Easy-to-earn bonus for new cardholders: You don't have to be a big spender to earn the $200 bonus, which is respectable for a no-annual-fee cash-back card. 
• Long interest-free period: This card offers a 15-month, 0% APR period on purchases—as long or longer than many competitors. 
• Rideshare and food delivery perks: Thanks to two Chase partnerships, you'll earn 5% cash back (an extra 3.5%) on Lyft rides taken through March 2022, and be offered a complimentary DashPass delivery membership for three months. These aren't high-value benefits, but nice additions to an otherwise simple cash-back card.

• Foreign transaction fee: Using this card abroad wipes out the benefit of your rewards because of the 3% fee on purchases made in other countries. Pair this card with one with travel rewards, or check out a card with a flat rewards-earning rate and no foreign transaction fee, like the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards or the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
• Few perks: This card is pretty bare-bones, even among the more basic cash-back cards. You won’t find coverage for damaged cell phones, travel accident insurance, or other perks available on competing cards.

Spend $500 within three months of opening your account and you'll get $200 cash back. This is a pretty typical offer for a no-annual-fee cash-back card, and one you should be able to earn quickly without adjusting your normal spending habits.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited makes it easy to earn rewards. Cash-back rewards are tracked as points, with 100 points equivalent to $1. You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases (or 1.5 points per $1 spent), which is a competitive rate for a flat-rate card. You’ll also earn rewards whenever an authorized user makes purchases. Points don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.

This simple, flat-rate rewards structure means you don’t have to enroll in anything to get a higher rewards rate (like you do when rewards categories change every quarter). 

Keep in mind, too, you'll earn an extra 3.5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022—for a total of 5% back.

Rewards are tracked as Chase Ultimate Rewards points—100 points is usually equal to $1 when redeemed. Here's what you can redeem points for:

• Cash back: You can do this at any time for any amount—there’s no minimum redemption threshold to worry about. Rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit to your account or as a direct deposit to your checking or savings account. 
• Travel purchases: Apply your points to travel you book with the Chase Ultimate Rewards online booking tool. 
• Gift cards: You can cash in points for gift cards that can be used for dining, entertainment, shopping, and more.
• Pay with Points: Pay for services and products via your digital wallet, after signing up with the retailer. 
• ChasePay: Use points for an account statement credit with select retailers such as gas stations and grocery stores through Chase Pay. When used in this way, 100 points are only worth $.80 versus $1, but some retailers offer discounts when you pay with points. 
• Amazon purchases: If you link your Freedom Unlimited credit card account to your Amazon account, you can use your points to instantly pay for all or part of your Amazon orders. Points can even go towards tax and shipping on your purchases. However, as with Chase Pay, rewards redeemed at Amazon checkout are valued 20% lower than other forms of redemption. 

Make sure you spend at least $167 each month for three months after opening this card to earn your $200 sign-up bonus. After that, either make this your primary card or pair it with another card that offers a higher rewards-earning rate on select purchases, like gas or groceries.

If you have one of Chase’s travel rewards credit cards—the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve—you can combine your points and get up to 50% more by redeeming through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Plus, if you add your points to one of those accounts, you’ll have the option to transfer them to an eligible frequent flyer or hotel loyalty program at a one-for-one ratio. (Transfers aren’t allowed directly from this card.)

If you don’t want to travel, make sure to redeem your rewards for anything other than Amazon purchases ChasePay, where your points are worth less. 

• Insurance for stolen or damaged purchases
• Extended warranty protection
• Three-month DashPass subscription

The Chase mobile app allows you to view your account activity and pay your bill, and in J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Credit Card Mobile App Satisfaction Study, Chase’s app scored “about average.” Chase ranked similarly in J.D. Power’s overall credit card satisfaction survey. 

It’s also worth noting that you can access your credit score for free with Chase Credit Journey, getting weekly updates, and the ability to simulate how credit events may affect your score.

What’s more, wherever available, this card features contactless pay technology allowing you to checkout by tapping your card on a credit card terminal.

This card has industry-standard security features, like fraud alerts and $0 fraud liability.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card’s fees are in line with industry standards. Chase does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made on currencies other than U.S. dollars. However, there’s no penalty rate if you default on your credit card payments