Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Freedom Flex℠: Which Is Best for You?

If you’re looking for a credit card with robust rewards and a solid welcome bonus, you may benefit from either the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex℠. In this guide, MoneyGeek compared both cards to help you choose the best option.

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With Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex℠, you’ll get a $200 welcome bonus on spending $500 within the first three months of account opening. Both cards also have no annual fee and offer valuable rewards.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Chase Freedom Flex℠ comparison shows that while both cards are pretty similar in many aspects like the welcome bonus, annual fees and the intro APR offer — there is a key difference in their rewards structures. MoneyGeek’s comparison will help you understand the difference between both cards so you can choose the option which fits your needs.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview: Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Freedom Flex℠

  • Chase Freedom Unlimited®
    Chase Freedom Flex℠
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
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  • Travel Rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited® At a Glance

With the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card — you’ll get a 5% cash back on gas station purchases up to $6,000 in the first year, 3% cash back on drugstores and restaurant purchases, 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. This card also offers a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months after account opening.


  • Chase Freedom Unlimited®

    An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back

    • ExcellentRecommended Credit
    • $0Annual Fee
    • 1.5–5% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 3xRewards Rate on Dining
    • 5xRewards Rate on Air Travel
    Chase Freedom Unlimited®

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other cards with lower interest rates.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ At a Glance

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card offers you a welcome bonus of $200 after you spend $500 within three months of account opening. The unique feature of the rewards program of this card is that you can get a 5% cashback up to $1,500 in purchases on rotating bonus categories in every quarter — only if you activate it. The rewards you earn with this card do not expire as long as your account stays open.


  • Chase Freedom Flex℠

    An easy-to-use cash back card with quarterly rotating bonus categories

    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
    • $0Annual Fee
    • 1–5% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
    • 5xRewards Rate on Air Travel
    • 3xRewards Rate on Dining
    Chase Freedom Flex℠

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other top-rated cards from our partners.

Comparison Summary

MoneyGeek analyzed the difference between Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ to help you decide which card would be the best fit for your needs.

  • Card Detail
    Comparison Summary

  • Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection

    Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex℠ offer reimbursement up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip in case your travel plans get canceled due to sickness or other covered conditions. These cards also offer purchase protection against theft or damage up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per accident for 120 days after a new purchase.

    However, Chase Freedom Flex℠ also offers cell phone protection for theft or damage up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year.

    Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠

  • Rewards

    While both cards offer a 5% cash back on gas station purchases up to $6,000 in the first year, 3% cash back on drugstores and restaurants purchases, 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards — Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a 5% cash back on making purchases in rotating categories in each quarter you activate.

    The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers a 1.5% cash back on all other purchases while the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a 1% cash back.

    Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠

  • Annual Fee

    Both Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex℠ charge a $0 annual fee. However, since Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a welcome bonus worth $200 and a 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories, it’s the better option.

    Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Which Card Should You Get?

Before choosing a card, you should consider your needs first. MoneyGeek analyzed below whether you should get the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card.

Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

People who are looking for an all-purpose credit card with a simple rewards structure would benefit the most from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card.

Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom Flex℠?

If you’re looking for a credit card with a high rewards rate across many different categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card may be the best option for you.

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EXPERT OPINION

The choice on this one is simple. If you can take advantage of the rotating 5% categories and own an expensive smartphone like an iPhone, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is the better of the two options. If you don’t find value in the 5% cash back categories or the cell phone insurance, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® will suffice. But overall, both cards are nearly identical and can benefit a large amount of consumers.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

MoneyGeek researched the following frequently asked questions to help you understand the difference between the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ and make the best decision for you.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

MoneyGeek compared the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ to help you make a better decision. However, if you’re still having difficulty choosing — you can look over the best rewards credit cards to see if one of the other options would be a better fit.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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