Chase Travel℠
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of our most recommended cards. In this article, let’s look at two cards that have proven to be considerable contenders and complimentary to your Sapphire card — the Chase Freedom Flex vs. the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Note: All offers are accurate at the time of writing. Some offers below may now be different or unavailable.
Update Jan 13, 2022: These offers below have changed since the time of writing.
If you’re counting the reasons why we love Chase credit cards, you won’t run out of any. We all love Chase because of its impressive line of personal and business credit cards and the offers that these cards give to their cardholders. Not to mention, all of these cards play well with the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
However, choosing a card that works best for you out of the many options available may prove to be difficult. Because of Chase’s 5/24 rule, having a carefully planned credit card strategy for your Chase cards is a must.
The Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited may appear identical but are actually not — despite both being cash back cards. The similarities between these two cards zero annual fees and good sign-up bonuses. Apart from these, many features vary.
Points Earning Structure
When it comes to earning points, the Chase Freedom Unlimited structure is very straightforward at 1.5% cash back on all purchases. You’ll also earn 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 5% cash back on travel booked through t. The card is simple and you don’t have to worry about too many category bonuses.
On the other hand, the Chase Freedom Flex is more complicated with 5% cash back on your first $1,500 spent on rotating bonus categories, and then 1% back on everything else. The rotating categories change per quarter and Chase puts out its calendar about 6 months ahead of time. Similar to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom Flex also earns the same 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
For instance, in 2021, Q1 categories included wholesale clubs, cable, internet, phones services and select streaming services; Q2 included gas stations and home improvement stores; Q3 included grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart); and Q4 included Walmart and PayPal. Because of this rotating nature, Chase Freedom Flex users have to register their card every quarter to be entitled to the 5% cash back. Don’t worry though, the registration process is relatively simple and Chase sends out notifications beforehand to make sure you’re in the loop.
Sign-Up Bonuses
The Sign-up bonuses for both the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited are similar.
Current offer are listed here:
Points Redemption
Redeeming points with the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited are exactly the same. The cash backs are issued through points and each point is equivalent to 1 cent each. Once you earn your points after your monthly statement closes, you can redeem your points for cash.
Note: If you have a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can transfer your points to one of those accounts and then redeem your points towards travel, if at some point down the line travel rewards is becomes your preference over cash back. You can learn more about redeeming Chase Ultimate Reward points for travel at our sister site, Travel Freely.
Who the Chase Freedom Unlimited if for
If you want a card that’s straightforward and earns more (1.5% cash back) on every purchase you make, then the Chase Freedom Unlimited is the better choice for you. This is my personal preference. I can pay insurance premiums, car repairs, and other large bills with these card and get 1.5%. (Although I personally prefer to use my points towards travel versus redeeming for cash back). This straightforward earning is easier for me than wondering what spending categories there are each quarter. This card fits budgeters as it offers flat rates and predictable features. You also don’t need to tailor your budget and spending habits to accommodate certain categories just to get the rewards you need, which could prevent you from overspending.
This card is low maintenance and won’t require you to register your card every quarter for rotating cash back features. This is definitely the card to have if you’re accustomed to sticking to a strict spending schedule, and don’t have the time to google spending categories every now and then.
Who the Chase Freedom Flex is for
If you love the idea of maximizing rewards and are up to the challenge to do so, then the Chase Freedom Flex is your card. This card is great for rewards maximizers or those who are keen to squeeze out every available reward from a card!
The Chase Freedom Flex shines with its 5% points for quarterly rotating categories, and this may just be what you need. What’s great with these categories is that they’re broad and can include special categories such as PayPal.
Note: One major differentiator is that the Freedom Flex is a World Mastercard. That means a few additional benefits come as a result:
- Cell phone protection: Up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year against theft or damage with a $50 deductible when you pay your monthly bill with the card (max of 2 claims per year)
- Lyft credits: Get a $10 credit for every 5 Lyft rides you take in a calendar month
- Boxed Rewards: 5% back in Boxed rewards for future purchases
- Free Shoprunner Shipping
- Fandango points: Double VIP+ points for movie tickets purchased via the Fandango app or at Fandango.com
Breakdown: Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
| Chase Freedom Flex | Chase Freedom Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up bonus | $200 when you spend $500 in the first 3 months + 5x on groceries up to $12k | $200 when you spend $500 in the first 3 months + 5x on groceries up to $12k |
| Base Earning | 5x (up to $1,500 per quarter), for rotating categories 1% other purchases | 1.5x cash back on all purchases |
| Extra Earning | 3x dining, 3x drugstores, 5x travel (via Chase Travel℠ portal) | 3x dining, 3x drugstores, 5x travel (via Chase Travel℠ portal) |
| Points Redemption Value | 1 cent per point or up to 2 cents when you transfer to Sapphire or Ink Preferred | 1 cent per point or up to 2 cents when you transfer to Sapphire or Ink Preferred |
| Foreign Transaction Fees? | Yes | Yes |
| Network | World Mastercard | Visa |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Bottom line
The Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited both offer great value for their owners.
- No annual fee
- Maximum flexibility
- Better than average signup bonus for a no annual fee card
- Great spending category multipliers, especially 3% cash back on dining
- Great overall value when combined with a Sapphire card (or Chase Ink Business Preferred) — if one day you prefer travel rewards
- Good approval odds and great relationship-builder for those without a Chase credit card
Overall, these are great no annual fee cards with a strong rewards network and the opportunity to earn more rewards on every purchase you make.
