Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Which Is Best for You?
If you’re a traveler looking for a credit card that will help you earn attractive cash back or travel rewards, you may find the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Freedom Unlimited® an excellent option.
MoneyGeek assessed the differences between these two Chase credit cards to help you determine the best option for you.


The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
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 Chase Ultimate Rewards 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
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $95Annual Fee
- 1–2 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
- 2xRewards Rate on Dining
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
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1.5–5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 3xRewards Rate on Dining
- 5xRewards Rate on Air Travel
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 DetailComparison 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 Ultimate Rewards.
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, you will earn a $200 bonus if you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months.
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 15.99% and 22.99%.
Chase Freedom Unlimited has a rate between 14.99% and 23.74%. 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 travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining and 2X points on other travel purchases.
Meanwhile, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers several cash back rewards. These include 5% on travel purchases via Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% at drugstores and dining plus 1.5% on 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 Ultimate Rewards portal.
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 travel purchases made via Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% on all other 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
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®.
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.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
American Express® Gold Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Mastercard® Black Card™
Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Simmons Rewards Visa Signature®
Simmons Visa®
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
American Express® Business Gold Card
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Aer Lingus Visa Signature®
British Airways Visa Signature® Card
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Iberia Visa Signature® Card
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Citi® Double Cash Card
United℠ Business Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United℠ Explorer Card
United Gateway℠ Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Citi Premier® Card
Citi Rewards+® Card
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®
Destiny® Mastercard®
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
The Plum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®
Indigo Mastercard
Mastercard® Gold Card™
Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card
Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
Credit One Bank® NASCAR® American Express® Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
United Quest℠ Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card for Students
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express card
Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature Flagship Rewards card
Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Discontinued
Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Spark 1.5% Cash Select
Chase Slate Edge℠
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
Alliant Visa® Platinum Credit Card
OakStone Gold Secured Mastercard®
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
First Access Solid Black Visa® Credit Card
Fit Mastercard® Credit Card
Milestone® Gold Mastercard®
Milestone® Unsecured Mastercard®
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card
Discover it® Student chrome
Amazon Business Card
Discover it® chrome Credit Card
Disney® Visa® Card from Chase
Discover it® Miles
NHL® Discover it®
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business
USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card
USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card
USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
Disney® Premier Visa® Card
USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card
USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
West Elm Key Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Learn more about credit cards in general
sources
- Chase Bank. "Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Credit Card." Accessed January 10, 2022.
- Chase Bank. "Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card." Accessed January 10, 2022.
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 aboutour editorial policies andexpert 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.