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Which Chase Freedom Credit Card Should You Get?
Which Chase Freedom Credit Card Should You Get?
The right Chase Freedom card for you depends on your spending habits and credit score.Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Updated · 2 min read Written by Senior Writer & Content Strategist + more + more Edited by Managing Editor + more + more SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATEDThis page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
★ BIGGER BONUS ON FREDOM UNLIMITED
★ B IGGER BONUS ON FREDOM UNLIMITED Heads up! For a limited time, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a bonus offer for new cardholders that's not only bigger than what you'll find on a lot of competing cash back cards, but that also requires less spending to claim than many of those competitors. Chase puts it this way: "Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening." That's $50 larger than the card's usual cash bonus. Learn more and apply here. Chase Freedom Unlimited® Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. The Chase Freedom Rise®, Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex® are all worthy options in the Chase portfolio, but the right one for you will depend on how you spend and where you are in your credit journey. Chase Freedom Rise® Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® While the Chase Freedom Rise® is ideal for those new to credit, the other two Freedom cards can offer value to those with seasoned credit histories. Already know that you want Flex or Unlimited and are just trying to choose between them? See our Flex vs. Ulimited comparison here. Chase Freedom Rise® Already know that you want Flex or Unlimited Here’s what you need to know to figure out the best one for you.How the cards compare
Chase Freedom Rise® Apply now Apply nowon Chase's website
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Apply now Apply nowon Chase's website
Chase Freedom Flex® Apply now Apply nowon Chase's website
Annual fee
$0 $0 $0Sign-up offer
Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.APR
The ongoing APR is 25.24%. The ongoing APR is 25.24% 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.74% Variable APR. 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.74% Variable APR 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.74% Variable APR. 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.74% Variable APRRewards
1.5% cash back on all qualifying purchases. 5% back on travel purchased through Chase. 3% back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services. 3% back on drugstore purchases. 1.5% cash back on everything else. 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter. Activation of bonus categories is required. (See the quarterly 5% bonus calendar below.) 5% back on travel booked through Chase. 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery services. 3% back on drugstore purchases. 1% on all other purchases. ? Nerdy Tip A fourth Freedom credit card — the original Chase Freedom® — still exists but is no longer accepting new applications. This card also allows existing cardholders to earn rewards in rotating quarterly bonus categories, but it doesn't pack the fixed bonus categories you'll find on the Chase Freedom Flex®, which has essentially replaced the Chase Freedom®. Chase Freedom® Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom®Chase Freedom Rise®
Chase Freedom Rise® The Chase Freedom Rise® is ideal for beginners to credit because you don't necessarily need an existing credit history to qualify for it, although you can increase your approval odds by opening a Chase checking or savings account that has a balance of at least $250. It offers solid ongoing rewards for a card in its class, and you'll get some credit-friendly perks, too. Chase Freedom Rise® The card offers a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening the card account, which can help you avoid late payments as you’re learning to manage credit. Another feature that sets this card apart from some others is that you'll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as six months, which can help your credit score by decreasing your credit utilization ratio (aka the amount of credit in use compared with the amount of credit available). » MORE: NerdWallet's best starter credit cards » MORE: » MORE:Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited® The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an ideal option for those who prefer a minimalist approach to managing credit cards. With a decent base rewards rate of 1.5% and elevated rates in specific categories, it’s a solid go-to card for a large chunk of your spending. If you make it an all-purpose card, you don’t have to bother remembering the categories that earn bonus rewards. And unlike with the Chase Freedom Flex®, you won’t have to worry about activating or tracking rewards categories. Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® You'll need good to excellent credit (credit scores of 690 or higher) to qualify. » MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for everyday spending » MORE: » MORE:Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Freedom Flex® The fixed bonus categories and quarterly changing categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® can provide a lot of value, especially for those who prefer to maximize rewards. Good to excellent credit is required to qualify. Chase Freedom Flex® It’s not the best match for the forgetful since it requires tracking and activating categories every three months to make the most of rewards. If you don't opt in, then the card defaults to earning 1% back in those rotating categories. See the current bonus categories for the Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex® bonus rewards categories for 2026 Chase Freedom® Chase Freedom Flex® Q1 (Jan. 1-March 31) Restaurants Norwegian Cruise Line. American Heart Association. Q2 (April 1-June 30) Amazon. Whole Foods. Chase Travel℠. Feeding America. Q3 (July 1-Sept. 30) TBD. (In 2025: Gas/EV charging; live entertainment; Instacart.) (In 2025: Gas/EV charging; live entertainment; Instacart.) Q4 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31) TBD. (In 2025: Chase Travel℠; department stores; Old Navy. December only: PayPal.) (In 2025: Chase Travel℠; department stores; Old Navy. December only: PayPal.) » MORE: Which 5% rotating bonus category category should you choose? » MORE: » MORE: Nerdy PerspectiveFreedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited?
content director, credit cards and travel rewards
"If you're looking for a single card you can use everywhere, go with Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you're looking to add a card to your collection to use strategically for maximum rewards, go with Chase Freedom Flex®." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® "If you're looking for a single card you can use everywhere, go with Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you're looking to add a card to your collection to use strategically for maximum rewards, go with Chase Freedom Flex®." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex®content director, credit cards and travel rewards
writer, credit cards
"I have both cards, and I definitely use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® more often. The Chase Freedom Flex®'s 5% bonus categories can be hit or miss, and earnings are capped on a quarterly basis." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® "I have both cards, and I definitely use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® more often. The Chase Freedom Flex®'s 5% bonus categories can be hit or miss, and earnings are capped on a quarterly basis." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex®writer, credit cards
content management specialist, credit cards and travel rewards
"I love the 5% bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex®. It does take some effort to opt in each quarter and remember the rotating categories, but the potential rewards just can’t be beat. I usually earn the maximum rewards three quarters per year, which equates to $225 cash back. Not bad for a card with no annual fee." Chase Freedom Flex® "I love the 5% bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex®. It does take some effort to opt in each quarter and remember the rotating categories, but the potential rewards just can’t be beat. I usually earn the maximum rewards three quarters per year, which equates to $225 cash back. Not bad for a card with no annual fee." Chase Freedom Flex®content management specialist, credit cards and travel rewards
writer/ spokesperson, travel rewards
"The Chase Freedom Flex® can be fun when the rotating categories align with your spending that quarter. But if the categories don't align with my spending — like gas, as I live in a city and don't own a car! — then this card feels like a waste of space. Plus, having to opt in to the categories every quarter is annoying and feels like unnecessary busy work." Chase Freedom Flex® "The Chase Freedom Flex® can be fun when the rotating categories align with your spending that quarter. But if the categories don't align with my spending — like gas, as I live in a city and don't own a car! — then this card feels like a waste of space. Plus, having to opt in to the categories every quarter is annoying and feels like unnecessary busy work." Chase Freedom Flex®writer/ spokesperson, travel rewards
editor, credit cards
"The Chase Freedom Flex® is a one-trick pony; the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a one-card solution." Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom Unlimited® "The Chase Freedom Flex® is a one-trick pony; the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a one-card solution." Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom Unlimited®editor, credit cards
content director, credit cards and travel rewards
"If you're looking for a single card you can use everywhere, go with Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you're looking to add a card to your collection to use strategically for maximum rewards, go with Chase Freedom Flex®." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® "If you're looking for a single card you can use everywhere, go with Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you're looking to add a card to your collection to use strategically for maximum rewards, go with Chase Freedom Flex®." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex®content director, credit cards and travel rewards
writer, credit cards
"I have both cards, and I definitely use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® more often. The Chase Freedom Flex®'s 5% bonus categories can be hit or miss, and earnings are capped on a quarterly basis." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® "I have both cards, and I definitely use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® more often. The Chase Freedom Flex®'s 5% bonus categories can be hit or miss, and earnings are capped on a quarterly basis." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex®writer, credit cards
content management specialist, credit cards and travel rewards
"I love the 5% bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex®. It does take some effort to opt in each quarter and remember the rotating categories, but the potential rewards just can’t be beat. I usually earn the maximum rewards three quarters per year, which equates to $225 cash back. Not bad for a card with no annual fee." Chase Freedom Flex® "I love the 5% bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex®. It does take some effort to opt in each quarter and remember the rotating categories, but the potential rewards just can’t be beat. I usually earn the maximum rewards three quarters per year, which equates to $225 cash back. Not bad for a card with no annual fee." Chase Freedom Flex®content management specialist, credit cards and travel rewards
writer/ spokesperson, travel rewards
"The Chase Freedom Flex® can be fun when the rotating categories align with your spending that quarter. But if the categories don't align with my spending — like gas, as I live in a city and don't own a car! — then this card feels like a waste of space. Plus, having to opt in to the categories every quarter is annoying and feels like unnecessary busy work." Chase Freedom Flex® "The Chase Freedom Flex® can be fun when the rotating categories align with your spending that quarter. But if the categories don't align with my spending — like gas, as I live in a city and don't own a car! — then this card feels like a waste of space. Plus, having to opt in to the categories every quarter is annoying and feels like unnecessary busy work." Chase Freedom Flex®writer/ spokesperson, travel rewards
editor, credit cards
"The Chase Freedom Flex® is a one-trick pony; the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a one-card solution." Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom Unlimited® "The Chase Freedom Flex® is a one-trick pony; the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a one-card solution." Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom Unlimited®editor, credit cards
content director, credit cards and travel rewards
"If you're looking for a single card you can use everywhere, go with Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you're looking to add a card to your collection to use strategically for maximum rewards, go with Chase Freedom Flex®." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® "If you're looking for a single card you can use everywhere, go with Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you're looking to add a card to your collection to use strategically for maximum rewards, go with Chase Freedom Flex®." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex®content director, credit cards and travel rewards
writer, credit cards
"I have both cards, and I definitely use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® more often. The Chase Freedom Flex®'s 5% bonus categories can be hit or miss, and earnings are capped on a quarterly basis." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex® "I have both cards, and I definitely use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® more often. The Chase Freedom Flex®'s 5% bonus categories can be hit or miss, and earnings are capped on a quarterly basis." Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Flex®writer, credit cards
content management specialist, credit cards and travel rewards
"I love the 5% bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex®. It does take some effort to opt in each quarter and remember the rotating categories, but the potential rewards just can’t be beat. I usually earn the maximum rewards three quarters per year, which equates to $225 cash back. Not bad for a card with no annual fee." Chase Freedom Flex® "I love the 5% bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex®. It does take some effort to opt in each quarter and remember the rotating categories, but the potential rewards just can’t be beat. I usually earn the maximum rewards three quarters per year, which equates to $225 cash back. Not bad for a card with no annual fee." Chase Freedom Flex®content management specialist, credit cards and travel rewards
writer/ spokesperson, travel rewards
"The Chase Freedom Flex® can be fun when the rotating categories align with your spending that quarter. But if the categories don't align with my spending — like gas, as I live in a city and don't own a car! — then this card feels like a waste of space. Plus, having to opt in to the categories every quarter is annoying and feels like unnecessary busy work." Chase Freedom Flex® "The Chase Freedom Flex® can be fun when the rotating categories align with your spending that quarter. But if the categories don't align with my spending — like gas, as I live in a city and don't own a car! — then this card feels like a waste of space. Plus, having to opt in to the categories every quarter is annoying and feels like unnecessary busy work." Chase Freedom Flex®writer/ spokesperson, travel rewards
editor, credit cards
"The Chase Freedom Flex® is a one-trick pony; the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a one-card solution." Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom Unlimited® "The Chase Freedom Flex® is a one-trick pony; the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a one-card solution." Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom Unlimited®editor, credit cards
Branching out can offer more value
If your spending needs change, you may get more value by not being loyal to just one Chase card. Some options to consider include:The Chase trifecta
Although the Freedom cards above are marketed as "cash-back" credit cards, technically they earn points in the Chase Ultimate Rewards® system. Those points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed as cash back — unless you also have other Chase travel cards that offer higher redemption values for those points. If you're a Chase cardholder with big travel goals, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Chase trifecta — a strategic combination of Chase-issued credit cards that can both boost your rewards-earning capability and supercharge your redemption options. In short, if you have multiple cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, it's possible to combine those points into one pool, which can be especially helpful if you also have a Chase travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. That's because those cards offer higher redemption values for your reward points when you use them to book travel through Chase's online portal. Those travel cards also boast multiple travel partners, allowing you to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards® into a variety of different rewards currencies — often for outsize value. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Chase Sapphire Reserve®The ability to product change
Over time, a credit card can become less valuable if your lifestyle or spending needs change. When that happens with a Chase Freedom credit card, you’re eligible to product change to a qualifying credit card in the Chase family if the issuer approves it. This means you could potentially get a new card without having to submit an application and open a new account, thus avoiding a hard pull on your credit and any temporary ding to your credit scores that it might cause. A product change might make sense if, for example, you started off with the Chase Freedom Rise® and then worked your way up to good credit. In that case, you could potentially request a switch to a card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Chase Freedom Rise® Chase Freedom Unlimited® Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. About the author Melissa Lambarena Melissa is a credit cards writer at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured by The Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today. See full bio. ? Cards From Our Partners Apply now Apply nowon Chase's website
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
NerdWallet rating Rewards rate 1x-8x Points Intro offer 125,000 Points Apply now Apply nowon Chase's website
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
NerdWallet rating Rewards rate 1x-5x Points Intro offer 75,000 Points Apply now Apply nowon Chase's website
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
NerdWallet rating Rewards rate 1x-8x Points Intro offer 150,000 PointsFind the right credit card for you.
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