The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex®* are two of the most popular rewards credit cards available today, and it's easy to see why. Both have lucrative earning rates on everyday purchases, a generous welcome bonus and an intro offer that applies to both purchases and balance transfers for a set period of time.
These cards earn rewards in a slightly different way. The Freedom Flex has a high rewards rate in rotating bonus categories that require activation each quarter, whereas the Freedom Unlimited has a higher base rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases with fewer moving parts.
The right card for you will depend on the categories you spend the most in and whether you want to keep track of rotating bonus categories that change every three months. The Freedom Flex may take more work, but you'll likely earn more rewards for your effort.
Annual fees
Neither card charges an annual fee, which makes the cash back you earn worth more overall. While cards with $95 to $500 annual fees offer more rewards and perks, they typically require a certain amount of spending to make them worth it. That can put you in a tricky spot if your spending habits or budget change.
It’s also worth noting many cards with no annual fee don’t offer rewards rates as high -- nor so many rewards categories. Both of these cards punch above their weight.
Welcome bonuses
Although the Freedom Unlimited offers a slightly larger reward by letting you earn an extra 1.5% on purchases, you'll have to spend $20,000 in the first year to earn the maximum bonus of $300. The Freedom Flex has a much lower spending requirement -- $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening -- to let you earn its $200 bonus more quickly.
Rewards
Some common quarterly reward categories for the Chase Freedom Flex include Walmart and PayPal, gas stations, select streaming services and grocery stores. Any given year, you can reasonably expect each to appear for one quarter. Because of the spending cap, your rewards on the rotating category max out at $75 each quarter before the rewards rate drops back down to 1%. But you need to remember to activate the bonus category every quarter to ensure you’re earning the 5% cash back.
If you're a little late to the party, the Freedom Flex does feature retroactive rewards provided you activate by the end date, which is typically within the first two weeks of the final month of the quarter.
For some people, the Chase Freedom Unlimited still may make sense: The extra half-percent of rewards on nonbonus-category spending is consistent and can really add up over time. It all depends on your spending habits.
Ultimately, though, the Freedom Flex has greater earning potential. In addition to its 3% cash-back categories, cardholders can earn an extra $75 each quarter from its rotating categories. It would take about $5,050 -- or about $1,684 each month over three months -- in spending to reach $75 in rewards with the Freedom Unlimited (not including the additional cash-back you can earn as the welcome bonus).
Ease of use
Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited
To take full advantage of the Chase Freedom Flex, you have to manually activate the quarterly rotating category from your account four times per year. You'll also want to pay attention to the bonus category as it changes.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited doesn't require intervention, however. You still get the high travel, dining and drugstore rates, plus a no-nonsense 1.5% on noncategory spending. You can use your card throughout the year knowing what you're earning.
Card perks
While both of these cards come with the same intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers, the Chase Freedom Flex stands out in this category due to its World Elite Mastercard benefits, including phone insurance.
On top of that, both cards come with purchase protection, extended warranties, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and travel and emergency assistance services.
Should you get the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
These two rewards credit cards are both valuable in their own right, yet there's a good chance one of them will be better for you than the other in the long run.
You should get the Chase Freedom Flex if:
- You want new bonus categories each quarter: If you want to maximize rewards by earning 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, this card could be for you.
- You don't mind tracking bonus categories or activating them throughout the year: This card could also work well for you if you don't mind tracking rewards or bonus category spending over time.
- You want your card to have cell phone insurance: Paying your phone bill with your card will make you automatically eligible for cell phone insurance worth up to $800 per claim and up to $1,000 per year on up to two claims per year (subject to a $50 deductible per claim).
You should get the Chase Freedom Unlimited if:
- You would rather earn a higher rewards rate on nonbonus purchases: The flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases can make this card more lucrative over time.
- You don't want to have to deal with bonus categories that change: This card can also be a better deal if you don't want to deal with bonus categories that change over time.
- You prefer a Visa card over a Mastercard: If that's the case, the Chase Freedom Unlimited could be more appealing to you.
The bottom line
Hard work pays off. If you don’t mind keeping an eye on the quarterly calendar and being a little strategic with your spending, the Chase Freedom Flex is well worth it. If you’re more of a “set it and forget it” type, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers very similar rewards without the hassle.
FAQs
Chase announces the upcoming quarter’s categories 15 days before the start of the quarter. You need to manually activate the bonus category each quarter via your online account, email or the Chase mobile app.
You can enroll anytime before the quarterly deadline (usually two weeks before the end of the quarter). If you forget to activate it until month three of the quarter, you’ll still retroactively earn the 5% rewards on eligible purchases as long as you activate before the deadline.
If you’re planning to travel abroad, the Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited are not ideal because they both charge foreign transaction fees. For each transaction you make outside of the US, Chase will charge you 3%. Most dedicated travel credit cards offer no foreign transaction fees.
Chase Ultimate Rewards is Chase’s branded platform for redeeming your rewards. You can redeem rewards for travel, gift cards, cash back and more. A handful of Chase credit cards all work in tandem with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
*All information about the Chase Freedom Flex and the Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
