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Credit Card Review💳 Best Flat-Rate No-Fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Issued by Chase

5% on Chase Travel, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% on everything else — plus $200 cash back after $500 spend in 3 months.

At a Glance

Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

18.24%–29.99%

Rewards Rate

5% on Chase Travel, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% on everything else

Min. Credit Score

670+ (est.)

Intro APR

0% on purchases & balance transfers for 15 months

Sign-Up Bonus

$200 cash back after $500 spend in 3 months

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

18.24%–29.99% variable

Intro APR

0% on purchases & balance transfers for 15 months

Foreign Transaction Fee

3%

Balance Transfer Fee

5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum

Cash Advance Fee

5% or $10 minimum, whichever is greater

Late Payment Fee

Up to $41

Estimate Your Rewards

See how this card fits your monthly spending

Enter your typical monthly spend by category to see roughly what the Chase Freedom Unlimited® would earn you per year (this doesn't include any one-time sign-up bonus).

$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$3,000/mo

Note: Also earns 5% on purchases made through the Chase Travel portal and 3% at drugstores — not fully modeled here.

Est. Annual Rewards

$405/yr

After $0 Annual Fee

$405/yr

Based On

$1,950/mo

Key Features

1.5% everywhere with no cap — best flat-rate no-fee card

3% at restaurants and drugstores

Travel protections included (trip interruption, lost luggage)

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Simple high flat-rate on all purchases
  • Combines perfectly with Sapphire or Ink cards to boost value

Tradeoffs

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No 5% rotating category bonus like Freedom Flex

How to Apply

Check whether your credit profile is a reasonable fit — Chase generally looks for applicants around 670+ FICO for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, alongside income and existing debt.

Gather your Social Security number, annual income, housing payment, and employer details before starting the application.

Apply directly through Chase's official site or app to make sure you're getting current, accurate offer terms.

Most issuers give an instant decision online; some applications are sent to manual review, which can take 7–10 business days.

If approved, activate the card and set up autopay before your first statement is due to avoid a late payment.

How It Compares

Current product highlighted
ProductAnnual FeePurchase APRRewards Rate
Chase Freedom Unlimited®$018.24%–29.99%5% on Chase Travel, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% on everything else
Citi Double Cash® Card$017.49%–27.49%2% on everything (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay)
American Express® Gold Card$32519.49%–28.49%4x restaurants (up to $50k/yr) & US supermarkets (up to $25k/yr), 5x prepaid hotels, 3x flights
Discover it® Cash Back$017.49%–26.49%5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr), 1% everything else

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

Chase generally looks for applicants with a credit score around 670+ for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, though approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and overall credit profile — not credit score alone.

What's the annual fee on the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee, so there's no ongoing cost to keep the card open.

Does the Chase Freedom Unlimited® have a sign-up bonus?

Yes — new cardholders can currently earn $200 cash back after $500 spend in 3 months. Bonus terms and required spend change over time, so confirm the current offer on Chase's site before applying.

What fees should I watch for on the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

Beyond the annual fee, check the foreign transaction fee (3%), balance transfer fee (5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum), cash advance fee (5% or $10 minimum, whichever is greater), and late payment fee (Up to $41). These matter most if you carry a balance, transfer debt, or use the card internationally.

How does the Chase Freedom Unlimited® compare to similar cards?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of several cashback cards worth comparing side by side — see the "How It Compares" table on this page for a few close alternatives, or browse the full list of cashback cards for more options.

Other Credit Cards

Citi Double Cash® Card

2% on everything (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay)

American Express® Gold Card

4x restaurants (up to $50k/yr) & US supermarkets (up to $25k/yr), 5x prepaid hotels, 3x flights

Discover it® Cash Back

5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr), 1% everything else

Rates, fees, and rewards shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying.

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