Credit Cards

Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Freedom Unlimited: card comparison

There are a lot of options when it comes to credit cards, and it can be tough to decide which one is the best for you. Two of the most popular options are the Chase Freedom Flex and the Chase Freedom Unlimited. So, which one is better? Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of each card to help you decide.

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Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited: which is the best?

Chase cards
Which card is better? Source: The Mad Capitalist.

When it comes to choosing a Chase credit card, there are a few different options to choose from. But which one is the best? The Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited? In this blog post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of both cards so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you. Read on to learn more!

Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card

How do you get the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card?

See how to apply for a Chase Freedom Unlimited® card and start earning rewards points today!

chase freedom flex credit card

How to get the Chase Freedom Flex℠?

One of the best benefits of a credit card is a good-rate cashback. Even better with no annual fee! Learn how to apply for Chase Freedom Flex℠ because it has it all.

Chase Freedom FlexChase Freedom Unlimited
Sign-up bonus$200 bonus after spending $500 within the first 3 months from account openingsAdditional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy up to $20,000 in the first year
Annual fee$0$0
Rewards 5% cashback on bonus categories. Terms apply.
5% cashback on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
3% on restaurants, including delivery and take out, and drugstores.
1% in every other purchase.
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards;
3% cash back on dining and takeout;
3% back on drugstore;
1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Other perksCell phone insuranceNo minimum redemption amount
APR20.49% – 29.24% variable.20.49% – 29.24% variable.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card

Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card
Meet the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. Source: The Mad Capitalist.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a $0 annual fee card that offers a lengthy introductory APR period, valuable rewards with flexible redemption options, and a nice big welcome bonus far superior to what most cash back cards offer.

If you’re into piling up the cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® will earn you 5% back on travel booked through Chase, 3% on restaurant and drugstore purchases, and for anything else you buy, it’ll earn you 1.5%. 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of those cards you make your go to card for every single purchase so you don’t have to think much about how to score those bonus rewards. Most people fall into this category, but if you are a good old number cruncher type, sit tight. We have got something to show you.

Benefits

There are two big benefits that stand out with the Chase Freedom Unlimited. The first is its initial 1-year additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000, and the second, which by no means is the least important, is the carefree 1.5% cash back on all spending.

This is great if you don’t particularly enjoy keeping track of rotating bonus categories every single quarter, and prefer to just have one go-to card you can use for every purchase you make.

Disadvantages

Like the Chase Freedom Flex, the Chase Freedom Unlimited requires a good to excellent credit score in order to qualify and doesn’t offer as many perks and benefits. Not very appealing, even though also not that bad.

It also carries a 3% foreign transaction fee, which means even though it can help you build up travel points quickly, using this card when traveling abroad is a no-no.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card

chase freedom flex credit card
Meet the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card. Source: The Mad Capitalist

The Chase Freedom Flex is a card for the meticulous reward hoarder. It offers up to 5% cash back on fixed bonus categories on top of 5% on rotating ones. Now, you tell me if keeping track of all that is actually for you.

I have a theory. If you’re the kind of person who keeps their desk organized no matter what, who has never missed a date, never been late on or for anything in your life, you might actually enjoy doing all the tracking. We all know people like that exist, and if that’s you, The Mad Capitalist salutes you.

Multiple personalized credit card offers

Applying won't hurt your credit score

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Benefits

Yes, the Chase Freedom Flex card is a cash-back card, but the rewards come in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can then be redeemed at the rate of 1 cent apiece as either a direct deposit to your checking account, or as statement credit.

If you prefer, though, you can redeem your points for amazon purchases at 8 cents per point, or gift cards at 1 cent per point, not to mention travel booked through Chase at 1 cent per point. And remember: no minimum redemption.

Disadvantages

The first thing you must know is that this card is not just for anyone. In order to qualify you must have a good to excellent credit score.

Compared to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom flex offers much more muscle power with its 5% quarterly rotating bonus categories, but this also means more tracking, and therefore more work which us, regular everyday humans, aren’t such huge fans of.

Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited: which you should choose?

Both the Chase Freedom Flex and the Chase Freedom Unlimited certainly have their own individual glare with their cute little benefits and unique combination of rewards and perks, but when we take a cold hard look at them it is easy to notice that the main difference comes down to one single factor: rewards.

Past the initial welcome bonus period, while the Chase Freedom Flex card will offer you a 5% cash back reward on quarterly rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers 1.5% on most of your spending (except drugstore purchases, restaurants and travel booked through Chase which have their own cash back percentages).

Whichever is best for you depends largely on your credit management style (active or lazy), as well as how well the categories match your own regular spending. Not only that, big spenders might find it more appealing to get 1.5% on everything because it’s unlimited, opposed to micromanaging bonus categories to increase cash back returns.

That’s right. Nobody said it would be an easy choice even if it came down to one single factor. Whatever you choose, we hope this text has helped make the best choice for you.

And if you need a third option, we’ve got you covered! The Citi Double Cash credit card is a no-annual fee card with a 2% flat rate cash back on everything you buy. Check below for the full review!

city double cash credit card

Citi Double Cash credit card review

Check the complete review for the Citi Double Cash credit card. See what are its main features, as well as its perks and drawbacks.

About the author  /  Danilo Pereira

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