Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred better than the Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The better card between the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 would be best.

Can you get the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 to the Chase Freedom Unlimited?

Yes, you can transfer points from Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 to the Chase Freedom Unlimited?

Yes, you can change from Chase Sapphire Preferred to Chase Freedom Unlimited.

What’s harder to get, the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 vs. the Chase Freedom Unlimited to get the welcome bonus?

For Chase Sapphire Preferred, 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.

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 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.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 3/30/2022

Reviewed By

Brett Holzhauer

Last Updated: 3/30/2022

Chase has multiple cards that allow you to earn rewards from your purchases. Two of those options are the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card at a Glance
Chase Freedom Unlimited at a Glance
Comparison Summary
Which Card Should You Get?

Comparison Overview: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Credit Needed
Excellent
Excellent

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card At a Glance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred 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
- ExcellentCredit Needed
- $95Annual Fee
- 1–2 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
- 2xRewards Rate on Dining
Pros
Stand to earn 60,000 bonus points by spending $4,000 in the first three months
Earn 3x points on dining, 5x points on travel purchased thru Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2x points on other travel, and 1x point on all other purchases
Ways to redeem points include cash back, 1:1 points transfer, gift cards and more
Use the My Chase Plan to break up purchases of $100 or more into fixed monthly payments and pay just a monthly fee, no interest
Pay no foreign transaction fees
Extensive travel and purchase coverage can help provide extra peace of mind

Cons
The card comes with an annual fee
There are balance transfer and cash advance fees
Penalty APR might apply in case of returned or late payments
Get 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months
Earn 3 points per dollar on dining out, takeout and other eligible delivery services, earn 5x points on travel purchased thru Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2x points on other travel purchases
Earn 1 point per dollar on purchases across all other categories
Use points to pay for products or services made available through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program or directly from other merchants
Get 25% more value for your points when you redeem them through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Some of the 1:1 points transfer members include AerClub, British Airways Executive Club, Emirates Skywards, JetBlue TrueBlue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt
Complimentary travel protection comes in the form of trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement as well as travel and emergency assistance services
Safeguard your purchases through purchase protection and extended warranty protection
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other cards with lower interest rates.

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
- ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1.5–5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 3xRewards Rate on Dining
- 5xRewards Rate on Air Travel
Pros
No annual fees
0% APR on purchases for 15 months from account opening
Intro bonus cash back offer
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchases
Earn 3% cash back on dining-related purchases
Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
You may earn unlimited cash back that never expires
Redeem rewards for cash back, for gift cards, for travel or through Amazon.com
Get complimentary purchase and travel coverage

Cons
Foreign transaction fees
Cash advance and balance transfer fees
Penalty APR may apply in case of late and returned payments
Pay $0 annual fee for the life of your card
Pay no interest on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards earn 5% cash back
For the first year, earn 5% cash back at gas stations (on up to $6,000 in purchases)
Spending at restaurants, on takeout and through other eligible delivery services, as well as drugstore purchases, earn 3% cash back
All other purchases earn 1.5% cash back
You get to earn unlimited cash back rewards, and they don't expire as long as your account remains active
Different ways to redeem your cash back include receiving a statement credit, withdrawing it through a direct deposit, using it to get gift cards or using it to pay for travel
Zero liability protection, 24/7 fraud protection, purchase protection and extended warranty protection are in place to provide extra peace of mind
Feel better when traveling by knowing that you have access to travel and emergency assistance services, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and auto rental collision damage coverage.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other cards with lower interest rates.

Comparison Summary

MoneyGeek compares the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 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
APR Offers
Both cards charge variable APRs depending on your creditworthiness.
If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, 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
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 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 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

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. 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 and Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

The Chase Sapphire Preferred 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.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

Chase Bank. "Chase Sapphire Preferred 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.
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.
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.