I’m thinking about using the Chase Freedom Unlimited® as my main cash-back card. It offers 3% cash back on restaurants, 5% on travel through Chase, and 1.5% on everything else. Plus, there’s a 0% intro APR for 15 months, which sounds like a good deal. Do you think it’s the best option for someone who doesn’t want to juggle multiple cards? How easy is it to get the most value from the bonus categories?
I’ve had this card for about a year now, and I use it for everything. The 1.5% on non-bonus purchases is really convenient. I don’t have to worry about which card to use. The 0% intro APR helped when I first got it too.
@malcom
Do you feel like you’re missing out on rewards since some cards offer 2% back on all purchases?
Devan said:
@malcom
Do you feel like you’re missing out on rewards since some cards offer 2% back on all purchases?
Not really. The extra 3% on dining and 5% on travel make up for it. If you eat out or travel often, it’s worth it.
It’s a solid card on its own, but it’s even better if you pair it with a Chase Sapphire card for travel. You can transfer points to maximize their value. But even without that, the 5% on travel is great for big trips.
@kenrick
I’ve heard about the Chase Sapphire combo. Is it worth adding one of those cards if I don’t travel that often?
Devan said:
@kenrick
I’ve heard about the Chase Sapphire combo. Is it worth adding one of those cards if I don’t travel that often?
If you don’t travel much, you’ll still get plenty of value from the Freedom Unlimited® alone. But if your travel picks up, a Sapphire card can help you stretch your points further.
I switched to this card from a 2% cash-back card, and I don’t regret it. The extra rewards on dining and travel more than make up for the slightly lower base rate.
Nevin said:
I switched to this card from a 2% cash-back card, and I don’t regret it. The extra rewards on dining and travel more than make up for the slightly lower base rate.
Do you find it hard to keep track of all the different categories and rewards?
@Devan
Not at all. Restaurants and drugstores are easy to remember. Everything else just gets the 1.5% back, so it’s pretty straightforward.
I love the 5% back on travel. I booked a vacation through Chase and earned a ton of cash back. I use the card for all my restaurant and drugstore purchases too. It’s pretty much my go-to card for everything.
@Leo
That’s one of the main reasons I’m considering it! Do you find the Chase travel portal easy to use?
Devan said:
@Leo
That’s one of the main reasons I’m considering it! Do you find the Chase travel portal easy to use?
Yeah, it’s simple to use and the rewards stack up quickly if you book travel through them.
I like the flexibility with how you can redeem points. Sometimes I use them for cash back, other times for travel. You can also get gift cards if that’s your thing.
Franklin said:
I like the flexibility with how you can redeem points. Sometimes I use them for cash back, other times for travel. You can also get gift cards if that’s your thing.
Do you think the points are worth more when you redeem them for travel compared to cash back?
@Devan
If you use them for travel, especially through Chase’s portal, you definitely get more value per point. But cash back is still solid if that’s your preference.