Chase Freedom Unlimited Bonus

Chase Freedom Unlimited Bonus

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Link: Apply now for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The no annual fee Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great card for everyday spend.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Bonus

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is offering a limited time where you earn $250 in cash back after spending $500 within the first 3 months.

Redeem Ultimate Rewards points for a stay on Calala Island

Who is eligible for the Chase Freedom Unlimited bonus?

If you’re looking to earn the welcome bonus on the Chase Freedom Unlimited, note that this product is available to you if you don’t currently have this card, and haven’t received a new cardmember bonus on this card in the past 24 months.

Eligibility is otherwise unrelated to having any other Chase card. Furthermore, Chase’s standard application restrictions apply.

Read my guide to getting approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Redeem Ultimate Rewards points for a flight in Singapore Suites

Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited is worth it

Having the no annual fee Chase Freedom Unlimited should be a no-brainer as part of a bigger Chase Ultimate Rewards strategy. The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the best personal Chase credit card for everyday spending, as it offers the following:

  • 3x points (or 3% cash back) at drugstores
  • 3x points (or 3% cash back) at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
  • 1.5x points (or 1.5% cash back) on all other purchases

That doesn’t factor in the welcome bonus.

As you can probably tell, this card is marketed as offering cash back. However, there’s another way I prefer to use the card. In conjunction with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review), Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review), or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review), points earned on this card can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points, and be transferred to the Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partners.

I value Ultimate Rewards points at 1.7 cents each, which to me increases the value of these rewards by 70%. That’s because of all the great ways there are to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Read my review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Redeem Ultimate Rewards points for a stay at Alila Jabal Akhdar

Bottom line

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is offering a welcome bonus where you can earn $250 in cash back after spending $500 within the first 3 months. If you’re involved in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, this is a great way to boost your balance with a minimal spend.

Conversations (95)
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  1. Mike Mohler Guest

    I’ve been informed that this offer will be ending soon, so if you’re interested, you’ll want to apply ASAP.

    Can you be just a bit more specific about your definition of "soon"?

    I closed this card one week ago today. With the long holiday weekend that just passed, a lot of the days between when I closed the card and today were not "business days" so I was hoping/planning to wait a few more days...

    I’ve been informed that this offer will be ending soon, so if you’re interested, you’ll want to apply ASAP.

    Can you be just a bit more specific about your definition of "soon"?

    I closed this card one week ago today. With the long holiday weekend that just passed, a lot of the days between when I closed the card and today were not "business days" so I was hoping/planning to wait a few more days to let the electrons settle before re-applying (was probably going to apply over the weekend, or possibly on Monday). But now I'm worried...but don't want to jump the gun needlessly...

  2. BobC Guest

    Isn't the most value here:
    1) Travel through Chase at 2x5 = 10%
    2) non bonus categories (which for taxes could be quite meaningful for people) at 1.5x2=3 (less CC fees at least for taxes)

    Then if have the Chase SR, would receive 1.5x bonus on travel redemptions - so for travel becomes 15% return vs 7.5%

    3 more replies
  3. Fuzzy Guest

    You have to be a REALLY big spender in order for this bonus to pay off, in relation to other SUBs you might otherwise earn. If you spend $20k on the card in the first year in non-bonused categories, that nets you 60k URs. But compared to what you would earn WITHOUT the 2x, it's really only 30k. And that's if you don't consider other cards you might use for the same spend that would...

    You have to be a REALLY big spender in order for this bonus to pay off, in relation to other SUBs you might otherwise earn. If you spend $20k on the card in the first year in non-bonused categories, that nets you 60k URs. But compared to what you would earn WITHOUT the 2x, it's really only 30k. And that's if you don't consider other cards you might use for the same spend that would earn you more than 1.5x URs.

    As far as the bonused categories go (restaurants and drugstores), there are several cards out there that can get you 4x (Amex MRs, Capital One miles, etc.) at restaurants. So if you value the transferrable currencies on an apples-to-apples basis (for the sake of argument, although the actual value will vary from person to person), your net on the CFU is 2x. For a $10k/year restaurant spender that's a difference of 20k URs.

    The only sector you can really take advantage is drugstores, with the 6x (which is a net 3x over non-bonused CFU), far above any available card that I'm aware of. So if you're a heavy consumer of Grape-Flavored Children's Benadryl, or Pantene for Stringy Blond Hair (I made those up) -- or perhaps if you're partial to some of their products from the gift card section -- you might come out ahead. But that's really the only way, IMHO.

    Having said that, the CFU is a great card to have regardless. I'm just not as compelled by the current offer.

    1. Steve Guest

      Great point, the value of the bonus isn’t what you get at the end of the billing cycle. Rather, you have to subtract out the opportunity cost of what you would have additionally earned if you were putting the spend on a different card. For me, I put restaurants and drugstores on my CFU anyway, so no adjustment. But if I put ordinary spend on my Amex BBP, I would have to subtract out half a point per dollar on bonus points earned from ordinary spend at years end.

  4. Javier Guest

    Any idea how long this offer will be around for?

    I currently have this card (in fact, have all 3 flavors of the Freedom cards), so would need to cancel it, and then would need to wait a decent interval (I'm assuming that's somewhere from a few days to a full month?) before applying again.

    Also - does anyone know how long between closing the old card and then re-applying again for the same card one needs to wait?

    Thanks.

    1. Pam Guest

      I PC’d my old CFU to a Visa Slate & approved for new within 5 business days

  5. iamhere Guest

    Too bad it is not open also to existing users

  6. Jeff Guest

    Can I get the bonus if I change my freedom flex for a freedom unlimited? Or do I need to apply for a new card?

    1. klsd Guest

      I don't think product changes qualify. Also if you got a SUB within 24 months, you might not qualify.

  7. Ike Dayan Guest

    Can I pair this card with my authorized user sapphire reserve card? Or do I need my own sapphire card as well to get points instead of cash back?

  8. Moses Oliver Guest

    I have a CHase Freedom Unlimited. What do i do to get this bonus ?

    Can i downgrade and apply OR do i cancel the card and apply ? And how long should i wait after the downgrade or cancellation. Please advice

  9. Joe Guest

    Just moved to the US, have opened this and been approved for it as my first card! Awesome offer. Opening my checking account with Chase paid off. Will do this for a few months and then apply for the Sapphire Reserve. Welcome to the land of the points.

  10. iamhere Guest

    Wish it was also open as a benefit to current members

  11. DSK Guest

    Just thought I'd throw in my experience. Of course I've had the card for years since I can never get enough Hyatt points, and P2 was an authorized user. So, I had P2 apply for the card and make me an authorized user. No issue and instant approval. Have my screen shots and confirmed with Chase that the 3x offer was attached to the card. Then had Chase link P2's credit card to my Sapphire...

    Just thought I'd throw in my experience. Of course I've had the card for years since I can never get enough Hyatt points, and P2 was an authorized user. So, I had P2 apply for the card and make me an authorized user. No issue and instant approval. Have my screen shots and confirmed with Chase that the 3x offer was attached to the card. Then had Chase link P2's credit card to my Sapphire Reserve with no issues, and transfer 1,000 points as a test. Then, I transferred more points from P2's Freedom Unlimited to my Sapphire Reserve on-line with no issues. So, both my old Freedom Unlimited and my Bilt credit card (2x points on Rent Day up to $5K) will end up in the sock drawer for a year as we earn at least 3x points on P2's Freedom Unlimited. Almost as good as (or might even be better than ) the old 15x small business offer with Resy. This is why I love "the Hobby"!

    1. Pam Guest

      Love it, DSK! We are also putting our beloved Bilt (we got thanks to your data) on the back burner for a year. Kinda nice not having to shove spend to Rent Day for most of 2024 & drastically streamlimes the number of cards in my husband’s wallet (points scored there!). I had the double points CFU when it first came out in 2018 but not 3x drugstores & dining back then - this is going to be an amazing year to rack up the URs once again. Merry Christmas!

  12. Tony Guest

    Most of us already have a card that earns at least 3x for dining, so a card that earns 6x only nets you, at best, extra 3x (not full 6x). Is this card worth an application (instead of another card with a big initial spending bonus)? Maybe. It depends on how much in the first year on drugstore purchases, IMO. Personally, I wouldn't bother with this card.

    1. Pam Guest

      If you don’t eat out or make many drugstore purchases, then get it for the 3x “everything else” which pretty much translates to .045

  13. RC Guest

    I wad approved for this card after applying through the link on this site.

    However, there is no mention of this promotion (2x after 12 months) or any other promotion when I login to my Chase account. How can I verify that I am going to get the double points? Hesitant to put a lot of spend on this otherwise

    2 more replies
  14. Kevinled Guest

    I am getting this card, that is an amazing sign up bonus. I applied through the OMAAT link. By the way, another well known points website posted two days ago that: "This special offer on the Freedom Unlimited is arguably the best in the card's history, but it's only available through our exclusive link." Hmmm...

  15. Danny Guest

    My wife applied for this card as it’s a perfect time for spending to maximize to get the most points on everyday spend. She ended up getting stuck with just a $2000 credit limit so it’s now pretty much pointless to take advantage of big spend ding needed with the 18 month 0% APR. we tried to ask for a credit limit increase which got denied as well. She has great credit any suggestions on how to get a higher limit?

    1. Jim Lovejoy Guest

      If she has other Chase cards it should be easy to transfer some of their credit limits to the Unlimited.

  16. iamhere Guest

    Would be great if this applied to current card holders too.

    1. Lee Guest

      Current cardholders will get a pony on their birthdays.

  17. wcpierce62 New Member

    Thanks Ben, my spouse just applied and was confirmed via email a day later (I already have the card). A question: You say you can combine points with a business Ink Card. How do you do that? I see my Chase Business Ultimate Rewards Points in a separate account from my Chase personal Ultimate Rewards. Is that just because I have a separate Taxpayer ID for my business?

    1. Lee Guest

      When you are logged into your *business* account, go under your settings and find "linked accounts" and select all of them to be viewable. Then, log out and log in again. They should all appear. Then, click on your Ultimate Reward button in the upper right and select any of your cards. In the Rewards drop-down, the last item should be Combine Points. Select it and the next screen is the straightforward process to move points.

  18. Ginny Guest

    I got approved even though I failed the 5/24 rule.

  19. brandon Guest

    I'm not seeing this offer on the card when I go into my Chase account. All I see is the $200 blnus + 5% on gas/groceries. How can I be sure i'm getting this matching offer and not the gas/grocery bonus offer?

    4 more replies
  20. Nick Guest

    Does this work through refer a friend link?

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Nick -- The refer a friend link seems to show a different offer.

  21. RPGfaFG Guest

    Don't get me wrong, this is a nice offer, but I don't think it's a cancel-your-current-CFU-and-reapply offer for everyone. It seems significantly worse than the current Ink offers, especially considering you have to wait a year to receive the bonus. I suppose it could make sense if you're planning to do a ton of spending at restaurants and drug stores, but that seems like a pretty thin use case given how high the spend would have to be to justify it.

    3 more replies
  22. Keith Guest

    Does anyone know if the bonus is applied monthly or at the end of the year?

    Also, would one qualify for the card/bonus if they still hold a chase freedom (not unlimited or flex but the discontinued original freedom card)?

    I looked through the responses but didn’t see this info. Thanks.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Keith -- Yes, you're eligible if you have the old Chase Freedom. The bonus is applied retroactively at the end of the year, as it's a one-time bonus.

  23. Damon Guest

    I just cancelled my freedom to try to get the new offer. It needs to come off your credit report before you can reapply. That takes 30-45 days I was told.

    4 more replies
  24. iamhere Guest

    Would be great if they extended it for current members.

    1. Kyle Guest

      Product change and reapply in a week.

  25. Ryan Guest

    I have had an unlimited for YEARS. If i were to cancel it right now and then re-open it in a few days, would I get this offer?

    1 more reply
  26. Aaron K Guest

    Thanks for the flag, Lucky – great offer. Think it would be worth mentioning that unlike usual earning on rewards credit cards, this bonus pays out the extra bonus points in one payment after your 12th month with the card. Still worth it IMO, but different than earning and being able to redeem the extra points as you go.

    "With this offer you will receive a one-time bonus equal to all Cash Back rewards earned during...

    Thanks for the flag, Lucky – great offer. Think it would be worth mentioning that unlike usual earning on rewards credit cards, this bonus pays out the extra bonus points in one payment after your 12th month with the card. Still worth it IMO, but different than earning and being able to redeem the extra points as you go.

    "With this offer you will receive a one-time bonus equal to all Cash Back rewards earned during your first 12 monthly billing cycles from account opening with your Chase Freedom Unlimited card. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks from the end of your 12th monthly billing cycle for bonus Cash Back rewards to post to your account."

  27. iamhere Guest

    You did not even mention about combining points so if you hold the CSR card then you could have an even better return.

  28. CSue Guest

    You didn't even mention that this card seems to also have a 15 month 0% APR as well. That's worth quite a bit when you can earn over 5% in a bond or CD.

    2 more replies
  29. Paul W. Miller Guest

    If I go on Chase I do not see this new double points offer. I only see the 20K bonus. I do not want to apply for this card without the double points bonus. Can you advise or assure me that If I click your link and am approved I will get this bonus

    1 more reply
  30. John Guest

    I’m over 5/24 and have a freedom flex. Does anyone know if I product change the card to the unlimited , would I be eligible for the double points promotion?

    1 more reply
  31. Luckyladyd Guest

    Hey Lucky,
    I just applied for and got the chase ink cash business card last week. Do I need to wait 30 days to apply for this?

    1 more reply
  32. Sue Guest

    Can you get the bonus if you are an AU on someone else's Freedom Unlimited?

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Sue -- You sure can!

  33. snic Diamond

    No 20k sign-on bonus, which I think is the usual for this card... but if you're going to spend more than $13,300 in the first year, that outweighs the usual bonus.

    1 more reply
  34. Eli Guest

    So if I charge on the card 100k the frist year I will make minimum 230,000 points?

    3 more replies
  35. askmrlee Guest

    So Chase Freedom sees Discover as direct competition and Discover of course offers double cash back in the first year of membership. Question - if you have a legacy Chase Freedom (Visa) can you also get a Chase Freedom Unlimited and a Chase Freedom Flex?

    1 more reply
  36. Evan Guest

    @Ben - Like a lot of your readers, I have the Chase Freedom Unlimited and have for many years. For this deal, I would love to cancel it and reapply. Will that work to get these benefits? Do I need to wait a certain amount of time after cancelling before I reapply?

    6 more replies
Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Fuzzy Guest

You have to be a REALLY big spender in order for this bonus to pay off, in relation to other SUBs you might otherwise earn. If you spend $20k on the card in the first year in non-bonused categories, that nets you 60k URs. But compared to what you would earn WITHOUT the 2x, it's really only 30k. And that's if you don't consider other cards you might use for the same spend that would earn you more than 1.5x URs. As far as the bonused categories go (restaurants and drugstores), there are several cards out there that can get you 4x (Amex MRs, Capital One miles, etc.) at restaurants. So if you value the transferrable currencies on an apples-to-apples basis (for the sake of argument, although the actual value will vary from person to person), your net on the CFU is 2x. For a $10k/year restaurant spender that's a difference of 20k URs. The only sector you can really take advantage is drugstores, with the 6x (which is a net 3x over non-bonused CFU), far above any available card that I'm aware of. So if you're a heavy consumer of Grape-Flavored Children's Benadryl, or Pantene for Stringy Blond Hair (I made those up) -- or perhaps if you're partial to some of their products from the gift card section -- you might come out ahead. But that's really the only way, IMHO. Having said that, the CFU is a great card to have regardless. I'm just not as compelled by the current offer.

1
iamhere Guest

You did not even mention about combining points so if you hold the CSR card then you could have an even better return.

1
CSue Guest

You didn't even mention that this card seems to also have a 15 month 0% APR as well. That's worth quite a bit when you can earn over 5% in a bond or CD.

1
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