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Chase Freedom Unlimited
Giorgio Sarro
The Rich Grad Student
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Secure Application
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Learn moreQuick Info
Points Program: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Spend Requirement: $500 in 3 months
Why we opened it!
The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers unlimited 1.5% cash-back on miscellaneous categories, including conference registration fees or submission fees to journals. This is the highest in the Chase ecosystem. The card also offers 3% back at pharmacies, and dining. All without an annual fee.
The card offers a $200 sign up bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months, that’s a 41.5%+ cash back!
Even better, the card does not offer simply cash back, but Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve for outsized value!
RGS Value Table
| Category | Cash Back | Value (2cpp)Base travel value | Max Value (7cpp)Optimized redemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signup Bonus | $200+great | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Fee | $0 | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Credits | $0 | N/A | N/A |
| Net Annual Fee | $0great | N/A | N/A |
| Travel | 5% (on travel portal)great | 10% | 35% |
| Grocery | 1.50%good | 3% | 10.50% |
| Gas | 1.50%good | 3% | 10.50% |
| Dining | 3%great | 6% | 21% |
| Pharmacy | 3%rgs wallet | 6% | 21% |
| Other Purchases | 1.50%rgs wallet | 3% | 10.50% |
| Lounge Benefits | Nonepoor | N/A | N/A |
| Partner Benefits | 6 months of free Dashpass + $40 off non-restaurant orders + 5% back on Lyft good | N/A | N/A |
| Misc Benefits | Nonepoor | N/A | N/A |
Signup Bonus
Key MetricAnnual Fee
Annual Credits
Net Annual Fee
Key MetricTravel
Key MetricGrocery
Gas
Dining
Key MetricPharmacy
Other Purchases
Lounge Benefits
Partner Benefits
Misc Benefits
Table Key:
*Point valuations shown are example redemptions; actual values vary by route, dates, and availability. Results not typical or guaranteed.
Additional Information
When redeemed for points, 1.5x is in competition with 2x on everything of the Capital One Venture X. Given the maximum value of Chase points, we believe this card offers the best rewards for “everything else” in the US. For purchases abroad, we use the Capital One Venture X as it has no foreign transaction fees.
Personal advice only. We are not a bank, lender, or financial advisor. Offers change, and banks do not endorse this content. Always read your cardmember agreement and fee schedule before applying or using any card. Use these recommendations at your own risk. You must be 21 years or older, and this website is not intended for undergraduate students. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, which may influence how or where these products appear. We only recommend products we genuinely believe benefit graduate students and decline offers that do not align with that goal.
