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Editor's note
In September 2020, Chase discontinued the Chase Freedom Card and you can no longer apply for it. If you already have the Freedom, you can hold on to it and keep using it or you can consider a product change to a different Chase card. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex® are good alternatives to consider instead of the Freedom Card.The Chase Freedom provides rotating bonus categories, a feature that appeals to those who value the opportunity to maximize their rewards. The Freedom Flex offers a similar structure with rotating categories. To learn more, read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Freedom Flex® comparison.
On the other hand, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a straightforward rewards structure, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer not to monitor changing categories each quarter. Let's delve deeper into the differences between the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Chase Freedom vs. Freedom Unlimited comparison
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Chase Freedom Card |
|
|
| Card type | Cash Back | Cash back |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Welcome offer | $200 cash back bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months | Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening |
| Earning rate | 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases |
| Intro APR | 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% (variable)) | 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 18.99% - 28.49% Variable)
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (then 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR) |
| Other benefits |
|
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| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
| This card is no longer available | Apply now |
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Should you switch from the Freedom to Freedom Unlimited?
Whether you should switch from the Freedom to the Freedom Unlimited depends on how useful you typically find the Freedom's quarterly rotating categories. For example, from April 1 to June 30, 2025, the high-earning categories are Amazon.com and select streaming services.
The Freedom Unlimited is a very different card. It always has the same higher earning categories, so if you prefer predictability over rotating categories, then staying with the Freedom makes sense.
Find out more in our Freedom Unlimited review.
If you have the Freedom and you're looking to switch, I'd consider the Chase Freedom Flex®. You can earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. So it has rotating categories like the Freedom, but it also has other higher earning categories and a $0 annual fee.
Find out more in our Freedom Flex review.
Important differences between the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited
While the Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited shared several similarities, they differed in some essential ways.
Rewards rates
The Chase Freedom enables cardholders to earn 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Meanwhile, the Chase Freedom Unlimited helps you earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
The drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, are common everyday expenses that earn an elevated rate with this card, and the base 1.5% cash back rate is higher than the base rewards rate on many cards.
Winner: The Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Rewards structure
The Chase Freedom is a rewards credit card that requires keeping track of its quarterly categories.
On the other hand, the reward structure you get with the Chase Freedom Unlimited is simpler because it doesn't require you to track and activate bonus categories each quarter, allowing you to go about your life without any added responsibility. For the most part, you'll benefit from the simple flat-rate cash back.
Winner: The Chase Freedom Unlimited.
How to use Chase Freedom cards for the Chase trifecta
Chase pays its Freedom cashback rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the travel rewards we love. You can redeem your points for cash back in the form of statement credit, as well as gift cards and for travel purchases through the Chase Travel portal.
You can also transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points under certain conditions between specific credit cards. This allows you to potentially get more value from your cashback earnings using the Chase trifecta.
The Chase trifecta is a simple strategy where you use a card such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited and strategically transfer your points to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, two of the best travel credit cards.
The Sapphire Preferred offers a 25% higher value for your points when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. While the Sapphire Reserve offers a 50% higher value for the same travel redemptions.
How to product change from Chase Freedom to Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase allows you to request a product change among different Chase credit cards. This means you can have one Chase card and turn it into a different one, which would give you all the benefits of the new card while removing the features of the old one. Requesting a product change would also retain the credit history you've already built up on the old card.
Keep in mind, you can't change a Chase card like the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited to a co-branded Chase card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. You also can't product change a co-branded Chase card to one of the Freedom or Sapphire cards.
If you want to request a product change for your Chase Freedom to Chase Freedom Unlimited, call the Chase customer service line or send a secured message to Chase through your online account. The main reason to make this change is to take advantage of the Freedom Unlimited bonus categories that you won't find on the Chase Freedom.
But making this change would also mean you'd lose access to the rotating categories on the Chase Freedom. You also wouldn't get the opportunity to earn a welcome offer on the Freedom Unlimited if you change products rather than applying for it directly.
How to choose the right Chase card for you
While the Chase Freedom is no longer available, you can still choose between other cards within the Freedom lineup. This includes:
Consider these factors when choosing the right Chase card for you:
- Rewards program: Choose the rewards program that better aligns with your spending habits. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers elevated rewards rates on common purchases. The Chase Freedom rewards program used a cashback calendar that changes every quarter. This meant that cardholders didn't always know what was going to be offered.
- Welcome offer: The welcome offer a card enables you to earn can boost its value in the first year of account opening. For example, the Freedom Unlimited helps you earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Overall value: There's a difference in the overall value of each card on the Freedom lineup. Carefully consider which card can offer you the most cash back and benefits by taking into account their rewards rates, welcome offers, and other perks.
By considering these factors, you can determine which card on the Chase Freedom lineup is better for you.
FAQs
Is Chase Freedom discontinued?
Yes, the Chase Freedom Card has been discontinued and you can no longer apply for it. Current holders can keep using it or request for a product change by contacting Chase.
Can I have both Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited?
You can have more than one card on the Chase Freedom lineup. However, you can't apply for the Chase Freedom Card because it's no longer available. The only way to have the Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited is to have the Freedom from before it was discontinued, and then apply for the Freedom Unlimited.
Can I switch from Chase Freedom to Freedom Unlimited?
Yes, Chase allows product changes, though there might be stipulations. It's best to contact Chase directly so they can determine your eligibility to switch between products.
Can I apply for Chase Freedom Unlimited if I have Chase Freedom?
Yes. There are no restrictions on doing this. So if you have one Chase Freedom card, you can indeed apply for the other.
What credit score do you need for Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Chase looks for the same range of credit scores for the Freedom Unlimited card as it does for the Freedom card. Having a score between 670 and 850 gives you a good chance at approval.
Can you upgrade a Chase Freedom Card?
Both the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited cards are eligible for a product change or upgrade. To request an upgrade, it's best to call customer service to see if you qualify and what is involved with the process. Chase' customer service number is 1-800-432-3117.
Can you have two Chase Freedom cards?
Yes, you can have more than one Chase Freedom card. You can have two or even three Freedom cards, as long as you qualify for them. Chase currently offers three types of Chase Freedom credit cards to new cardholders:
Each of these cards offers a unique set of earning opportunities and benefits. One important limitation is Chase's unofficial 5/24 rule. This rule states that Chase might not approve you for a new credit card if you have opened five or more credit cards from any card issuer in the past 24 months. So, while it's possible to hold two Freedom cards at once, this rule might affect your ability to do so.
Bottom line
If you're looking to switch from the Chase Freedom to another card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a good choice because it's one of the best cash back credit cards you can get, thanks to its simple rewards structure, common bonus categories, and high base earning rate.
If you're leaning more toward a card similar to the Chase Freedom, consider the Freedom Flex. This card has significant similarities to the Chase Freedom, including offering quarterly rotating rewards categories and intro APR.
Unlimited Cash Back
Current Offer
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
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