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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...
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Chase Freedom® Card
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
4.25
No annual fee
16.49% - 25.24% Variable
Chase Freedom® Card
The card allows you to earn heavy in certain quarterly cash-back categories and offers deals through their portal. Combine with other Chase cards to win big!
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
4.25
The information regarding the Chase Freedom® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
One of the most popular cash-back cards on the market, the Chase Freedom® card is a strong points earner with no annual fee. But is cash-back all that the Freedom card is good for?
On the contrary — in fact, when paired with premium cards in the Ultimate Rewards family like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card or Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, the Chase Freedom card can quickly turn into one of your best rewards cards.
Update: At this time, the Freedom card is no longer available for new applicants, but you may wish to consider the Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Card Snapshot
Welcome Bonus & Info
Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – it’s automatic
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.49 – 25.24%.
3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5.
No annual fee
Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠
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Methodical “U.P. Rating
The U.P. Rating System
The ratings for these cards have been determined
by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards
as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect
our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Freedom card offers cardholders the ability to earn 5% cash-back on all purchases within the given quarterly category up to $1,500 in spend (amounting to $75 in cash-back).
The Freedom card offers quarterly rotating bonus categories that allow you to earn a massive 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, the equivalent of 7,500 Ultimate Reward points.
In years past, the bonus categories have included groceries, gas, restaurants, and department stores, leaving you plenty of opportunities to earn 5x per $1.
Chase Shopping Portal
All Chase cardholders have access to the Chase shopping portal. Chase has partnered with several brands like Apple, Nike, and Samsung to offer anywhere from an extra 2x-20x points per $1 spent.
Adding Additional Ultimate Rewards-Earning Cards
Since the Freedom card is technically a cash-back card, the ways in which you can use your rewards points can be limited.
However, by combining your Freedom card with a premium Ultimate Rewards-earning card, you can unlock huge value for your points. This method can make for a very powerful points-earning combo.
Take the Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example. This card earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on all travel and dining purchases. With this 2-card combo, here’s an example of how you could allocate all your business spending to maximize your rewards:
Use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for all of your travel and dining purchases, while utilizing its premium travel benefits and protections.
Use the Chase Freedom to earn 5x Ultimate Reward points for all purchases falling within the quarterly bonus category. Then pool those points together with the ones earned from your Chase Sapphire Reserve card for huge travel savings!
Bottom Line:
Pairing the Freedom card with a premium Ultimate Rewards-earning card will give you the best return for your hard-earned points.
When it comes to how you can use your Ultimate Reward points, there certainly is no shortage of redemption options. So what redemption offers are available to you and which methods are best?
Cash-Back
Since the Freedom card is a cash-back card, the main redemption is obviously in the form of cash-back.
You can receive your cash-back via a statement credit to offset purchases you’ve made, or get a deposit straight into the bank account you have linked with your account.
Either way, you will receive a value of 1 cent per point, making 15,000 points worth $150.
Redeeming for Gift Cards
Another option is to redeem your points for gift cards from over 150 different merchants. Chase will give you 1 cent toward the card of your choice for each point you have — so generally, a $25 gift card to Amazon would cost 2,500 points.
If this is a method you would consider, you should really just opt for cash-back instead.
Often times you can receive cash-back at an equal or better rate than a gift card and you won’t be tied to using it at a specific merchant.
Shop With Points on Apple and Amazon
If your card is linked to your Apple and/or Amazon account, Chase will give you the option to use your points toward purchases you make with either retailer. Again, your points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point with this method.
Chase Experience Portal
Chase cardholders can even use their points to book one-of-a-kind experiences through the Chase Experiences Portal, like VIP access to sporting events or a night of fine dining.
While these experiences are only available to Chase cardholders, it is generally better just book them with cash, since using your points will only earn you 1 cent per point in value.
Redeeming Points Through the Chase Travel Portal
If you head to Chase Travel, you’ll find that you can also use your points to offset travel purchases like airfare or hotel stays.
Your points will be valued at 1 cent per point toward such purchases, and you can enjoy perks like no blackout dates.
Pair With Other Ultimate Rewards Cards to Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners
If you hold an Ultimate Rewards-earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can transfer the points earned from your Chase Freedom card to unlock huge value.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly valuable because of their ability to be transferred to Chase airline and hotel partners. This opens up a wealth of different options for your points in terms of the experiences that can be booked with them.
If you’re strategic about how you use your Ultimate Reward points, you can book first/business class flights, or 5-star hotel stays for just pennies on the dollar.
New to the world of points and miles, or find it difficult to navigate the different transfer partners and award charts? We are here to help! Start with our Beginner’s Guide.
Bottom Line:
Opt for transfer partners when redeeming your hard-earned earned points for your best value. Stay away from using them for gift cards, Amazon purchases, or any other method that earns you 1 cent per point or less in value.
Using your reward points as cash-back in the Chase rewards portal offers the same or lesser value, and can be used for a variety of merchandise.
However, the most valuable way to redeem these points would be to get a Chase travel rewards card, and then either use the points in the travel portal with a 25% to 50% bonus or transfer to a travel partner at a 1:1 ratio.
If you only have the Freedom card, you won’t have access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.
However, if you also have a Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card that carries an annual fee (for example, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred card) you will have access to their travel partners. This is achieved by transferring your points earned by the Freedom card to your premium Chase card award balance.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Up to $300 cash back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.
Pros
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
If you’d prefer a cash-back card with a strong earning structure that can still be paired with a premium Ultimate Rewards card, the Freedom Unlimited card could be a great choice.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 5% back on travel through Chase Travel, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
An excellent cash-back card that offers rewards for categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
An excellent cash-back card that offers rewards for categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$300
$95
20.74%-28.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
When it comes to rewards credit cards, you can break up most savvy consumers into 2 camps: those who prefer travel rewards and those who prefer cash-back.
Both options can be very lucrative to you and your wallet, especially if you’re using the right card. For those who fall in the “cash is king” camp, you’ll likely find the Capital One Savor card quite compelling.
Pros
10% cash-back on Uber and Uber Eats
8% cash-back on Capital One Entertainment
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Cons
$95 annual fee
This is strictly a cash-back card, so it features no travel rewards like other cards offer
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment.
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 20.74%-28.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees:
If you’re looking for a cash-back card that offers bonus categories for what you spend the most on, consider a card like the Capital One Savor card.
The Capital One Savor card earns unlimited 4% cash-back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores, and 1% on all other purchases.
The information regarding the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Slate® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Freedom card a good credit card?
The Freedom card could be perfect for those looking for a strong cash-back card and anyone who will utilize the other top Chase credit cards to optimize their reward points.
Does the Chase 5/24 rule apply to the Freedom card?
Yes, the Freedom card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. If you have opened 5 or more new accounts in the last 24 months you will not be eligible for the card.
Is the Freedom card a cash-back card?
Yes, technically the card is marketed as a cash-back card. You will earn 5% cash-back rewards on a quarterly rotating bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases, which is usable as a statement credit.
However, in practice, it works as a points card. The cash-back accumulates in Chase Ultimate Rewards as points. From there, you can spend the reward points in the online shopping portals to earn rewards or transfer them to another Chase card account.
Does the Freedom card have an annual fee?
No, the Freedom card does not have an annual fee.
Does the Freedom card offer 0% APR?
The card typically comes with an introductory APR offer; see the card summary table for details.
Is the Freedom card a cash-back card?
Yes, it is marketed as a cash-back card. However, the card really operates like a points card.
All the cash-back you earn goes into your Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where you can use the points to make purchases or transfer to other Chase cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Can I use Ultimate Rewards with my Freedom card? Do I get travel benefits?
Rewards are indeed redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Log into your account and find the Ultimate Rewards link in order to access the shopping portals and information on how to use your points.
To make the points even more powerful, combine your Freedom card with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card and transfer your points.
Once under the new accounts, you can use the points in the travel portals to earn 20% off flights or transfer to travel partners.
What is the foreign transaction fee on the Freedom card?
The card comes with a 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars foreign transaction fee.
Does the Freedom card have an annual fee?
No. The card has no annual fee.
Which is better: the Freedom card or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?
Neither is better than the other; rather, we suggest these cards are most valuable when used together. By having the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you unlock a world of travel benefits into which you can channel the rewards you earn on your Freedom card.
With the Freedom card, you can earn larger 5% bonuses than you can on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which maxes out at 2%.
The Freedom card does not have an annual fee, whereas the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card does, so if you’re interested in travel it makes sense to own both.
Which is better: the Freedom card or Chase Slate card?
We believe the Freedom card is much better. It simply allows you to collect points and use them for travel, whereas the Chase Slate Card does not.
However, the Chase Slate® Card is the only card at Chase bank right now that offers free credit score tracking, so it may not be a bad idea to pick it up as well.
When do Freedom card points expire?
Points do not expire as long as you keep your account open and in good standing. You can lose points if you are 60+ days late on payments or close your account, as well as in a few other scenarios.
Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
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