Find Your Best
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Updated: June 13, 2024
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Chase has multiple cards that allow you to earn rewards from your purchases. Two of those options are the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited®. The Sapphire Preferred is a travel rewards card with a $95 annual fee, whereas the Freedom Unlimited is a cash back rewards card with no annual fee.
Comparing the fees, rewards and features of these cards can help you determine the best option for your situation. For instance, if you anticipate making international trips, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card may be more suitable since it charges no foreign transaction fees despite having an annual fee. On the other hand, Chase Freedom Unlimited® charges a 3% fee on each transaction made abroad.
Comparison Overview: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred CardChase Freedom Unlimited®
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card At a Glance
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an excellent rewards card that charges zero foreign transaction fees. Using the card earns you bonus points which are redeemable for gift cards, travel or cash back. With a welcome bonus of 60,000 points and comprehensive travel coverage, frequent travelers may find this card valuable despite its annual fee of $95.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
A very good rewards card with no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel cover
- 1–5 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49%–28.49% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- 670–850 (Good to Excellent)Recommended Credit
Pros
- Generous new cardholder bonus
- High rewards on travel and dining
- No foreign transaction fees
- With travel insurance and benefits
- Flexible rewards redemption options
Cons
- With annual fee applies
- High credit requirement
- Rewards program can be complex
- Potentially high APR
- You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This amounts to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
- Enjoy benefits such as earning 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1x points on all other purchases. Additionally, receive a $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit and more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem points for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on valuable protections such as Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, and more.
- Enjoy complimentary access to DashPass, which provides $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees for a minimum of one year when activated by December 31, 2024.
- The card's issuer is an FDIC member.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® At a Glance
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers unlimited cash back rewards (between 1.5% and 5%) on eligible purchases. The card also features an intro 0% APR on purchases made within the first 15 months, relieving you of any interest you would have to pay. Cardholders also receive complimentary purchase and travel protection.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back
- 1.5%–6.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 20.49%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- Potentially high cash back for certain categories
- Cash back doesn’t expire and is redeemable at any amount
Cons
- Recommended score needed: Good to Excellent credit
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 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.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek compares the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® features, costs and rewards to help you choose the better cash back card for you.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Annual Fee | Chase Freedom Unlimited cardholders do not pay any annual fee. Chase Sapphire Preferred Cardholders pay a $95 annual fee. Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited |
Welcome Bonus | A welcome bonus allows you to earn higher rewards within the first few months of opening an account. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 60,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of getting the card. That amounts to $750 in value if redeemed through Chase Travel℠. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back! Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
APR Offers | Both cards charge variable APRs depending on your creditworthiness. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you will pay an APR between 21.49% and 28.49%. Chase Freedom Unlimited has a rate between 20.49% and 29.24%. However, you will receive an intro $0 APR offer for the first 15 months. Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited |
Foreign Transaction Fees | If you’re an international traveler, you can save on purchase costs if your card doesn’t include foreign transaction fees. Chase Sapphire Preferred Cardholders don’t pay any fees on international transactions. However, if you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, you will pay 3% on all transactions outside the U.S. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Rewards | Chase Sapphire Preferred Cardholders receive travel rewards such as 5X points on Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit), 3X points at restaurants, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2X points on all other travel purchases and 1X points on general purchases. Meanwhile, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers several cash back rewards. These include 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on dining, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited |
Which Card Should You Get?
When comparing the features of Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you should consider your needs before deciding which card is best for you. The better option will vary from person to person.
Who Should Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for individuals who want generous travel rewards redeemable for free travel. The card has a $95 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders can earn significant points by completing purchases via the Chase Travel℠.
Frequent travelers who would benefit from the card’s extensive travel rewards program.
Credit card users who want to break up payments on big purchases into monthly installments without incurring interest fees.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is best suited for those who prefer cash back rewards and no annual fee. The card offers 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 3X points at restaurants, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2X points on all other travel purchases and 1X points on general purchases.
Reward strategists will appreciate the card’s simple rewards program that offers ample cash back on most purchases.
Consumers who want a card with no annual fees and an attractive welcome offer.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
This comparison is similar to comparing apples and oranges as each of these cards serve extremely different purposes. However, the average consumer will be able to earn more value from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. But if earning travel rewards isn’t what you’re aiming for, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a solid option to help you save on your daily purchases.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Selecting between a credit card that offers travel rewards and another that offers cash back rewards can be tricky. MoneyGeek responds to some of the most-asked questions to help you decide between Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card better than the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The better card between the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® depends on your needs. If you need a card that will help you earn cash back rewards on some purchases and with no annual fees, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a better option. However, if you’re a frequent traveler looking for a card with zero foreign transaction fees and generous travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card would be best.
Can you get the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes you can. However, you must comply with the Chase 5/24 rule, which restricts you from approval if you’ve been approved for five or more personal credit cards in the past two years.
Can you transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes, you can transfer points from Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to Chase Freedom Unlimited® through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Log in to your account and select Sapphire Preferred. You will see the Combine Points tab on the next page. Provide the recipient card details to complete the transfer.
Can you switch from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes, you can change from Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
What’s harder to get, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Both cards require at least a good credit score to be approved. However, Chase has some stringent application rules that you must follow, like the 5/24 rule. You can check for pre-approval online through the bank’s website.
How much do you have to spend for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to get the welcome bonus?
For Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you will need to spend $4,000 within the first three months to get 60,000 bonus points. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, you will get $200 for spending $500 in the first three months.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are both good cards for consumers looking to earn either travel or cash back rewards. If you want to compare more cards with higher rewards and bonus opportunities, consider applying for a rewards credit card.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- Chase Bank. "Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Credit Card." Accessed January 10, 2022.
- Chase Bank. "Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card." Accessed January 10, 2022.
*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.
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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.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.