In this review we look Freedom Unlimited card from Chase! As always, remember that we do not use credit card affiliate links, that means we can give you a review that isn’t biased by monetary incentives.
Contents
Card Basics
- No annual fee
- Card earns $150 after $500 in the first three months (card actually earns 15,000 Chase UR points, worth a minimum of $150. We explain this in more detail below).
- Targeted in branch offer: $300 + $25 after $500 in spend
- Add an authorized user and receive $25 (really 2,500 Chase UR points) when they make their first purchase
- Card earns 1.5% cash back (really 1.5x Chase UR points) per $1 spent on all purchases
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (5% balance transfer fee)
Application Information
Please feel free to add your own application information in the comments at the end of this review.
What Credit Score Is Required
| Minimum Credit Limit | Highest Reported Credit Limit | Average Credit Limit |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000.00 | $46,000.00 | $17,167.00 |
Common Reasons For Denial:
- Chase 5/24 rule, keep in mind that in branch pre-approvals can override this. Online pre-qualifications will not.
- Too much credit already extended. Calling reconsideration and offering to re-allocate existing credit limits should work to turn this denial into an approval.
Keep in mind that if you’re denied, you can call the reconsideration line. You can find the phone number for Chase here and also tips for calling reconsideration here.
What Credit Bureau Does Chase Pull For The Chase Freedom Unlimited?
This depends on what state you live in, you can view that information here.
What Credit Limit Will I Receive?
| Minimum Credit Limit | Highest Reported Credit Limit | Average Credit Limit |
|---|---|---|
| $500.00 | $24,999.00 | $10,333.00 |
Card Fees
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
- Annual fee: None
Rewards Program
As mentioned before, this card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Earning Rewards
This card earns at the following rate:
- 1.5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on all purchases
Sign Up Bonus
Current Sign Up Bonus
- $150 + $25 after $500 in spend
Targeted bonuses:
- October 20th, 2017:Â Chase Freedom Unlimited $300 E-mail Offer
- October 8th, 2017 – Current:Â [YMMV & In Branch] Chase Freedom Unlimited 30,000 Point Offer
- June 23rd, 2017:Â Online Offer for Chase Freedom Unlimited 30,000 + 2,500 Points
- March, 2017 – ??:Â In branch offer: $300 + $25 after $500 in spend
Redeeming Your Rewards
Points are worth 1¢ per point in statement credit, but they can also be transferred to one of Chase’s travel partners at a 1:1 rate if you also hold one of their premium credit cards. Such as:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Chase Ink Preferred (Business)
- Chase Ink Plus (Business, discontinued)
- Chase Ink Bold (Business, discontinued)
Chase’s travel partners are as follows and all transfer 1:1 unless otherwise specified:
| Chase Travel Partners (All Transfer 1:1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | ||
| British Airways Executive Club | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | Virgin Atlantic Flying Club |
| Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM | Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | Aer Lingus |
| United MileagePlus | Iberia Plus | Emirates |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | ||
| Hotels | ||
| Hyatt Gold Passport | Marriott Rewards | |
| IHG Rewards Club |
Our Verdict
Most people that read this blog won’t be eligible for this card due to the Chase 5/24 rule (although as mentioned before it is worth checking in branch for a pre-approved offer, especially considering you can get the double bonus currently as well).
The real value of this card is pairing it with a premium Chase card to give you the ability to transfer the points to travel partners. If you don’t have one of those cards, it still offers one of the better cash sign up bonuses but the 1.5% cash back earning rate is easily beaten.
1.5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all purchases sounds great, but I think most people would actually be better off with the regular Chase Freedom and it’s 5x rotating categories. I talk about this in more detail in this post.
Overall this is a good card if you have a premium Chase card and value Chase Ultimate Rewards points highly. If you don’t it might make sense to get one of the other Chase cards with a higher sign up bonus, or a card that earns at a higher rate on all purchases.
F.A.Q’s & Tips
Most of your questions will be answered in this post. If they aren’t, ask below in the comments and I’ll happily answer them.
Where can I find the guide to benefits?
Is it possible to be pre-approved?
Yes, it’s possible to get both online and in branch pre-approval for this card. Chase prefers to use the term ‘pre-qualified’ rather than ‘pre-approved’
Can I receive the sign up bonus on the Freedom Unlimited & Regular Freedom?
Yes you can.
Card Changes/History
This card has only ever had it’s sign up bonus changed, the rewards structure has always been a flat 1.5x.
- August 15th, 2017 Chase Military Free Cash Rewards cards were converted to the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.
- July 26th, 2016: Chase Zappos cards were converted to the Chase Freedom Unlimited card
The history of the card is as follows:
- Card become available for online applications on March 31st, 2016
- Card become available in branch, via phone and for product changes on March 13th, 2016
- Card was rumored in late February, 2016.
