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One of our favorite cash-back credit cards has a new, limited-time welcome offer for new members that can put up to $300 in your pocket. Through Jan. 15, 2026, at 9a.m. ET, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card comes with an offer to earn a $300 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. That’s 50% better than the regular offer of $200 for the same spending over three months.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is among our selection of the best cash-back credit cards available today, and it also made it onto our list of the best credit cards overall as the best card with no annual fee. Another reason it may be a compelling proposition at this point in the year is its long introductory period with no interest, which allows you to spread out payment for your spending on holiday gifts or year-end vacations.
The card has an introductory 0% APR for purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (18.49% to 27.99% variable thereafter), which is also advantageous for people who want to consolidate debt.
And, on top of that, it also earns an elevated rate of return on everyday purchases.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
I’ve had the Freedom Unlimited for years, and it’s my favorite card for spending at drugstores, where it earns a higher, more consistent return than any competing card. Here’s how it earns cash back:
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5% cash back on travel purchases made through Chase Travel℠
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3% on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services
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3% at drugstores
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2% on Lyft rides (through September 2027)
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1.5% cash back on all other purchases
That 1.5% cash-back rate on general purchases isn’t quite as good as the 2% total return you’d earn with the Citi Double Cash® Card, which offers 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay your statement. That 2% on all purchases is why we consider the Double Cash our benchmark, but the Freedom Unlimited wins if you spend frequently at restaurants and drugstores. Cash back from the Chase Freedom Unlimited comes in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed as a statement credit or deposited directly into most US checking and savings accounts. You can also redeem it for gift cards or use it to book travel through Chase Travel. All of these options value your cash-back rewards at a fixed one cent per point.
Plus, if you pair the Freedom Unlimited with a credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer points earned with the Freedom Unlimited to the more premium card and transfer them to Chase’s several travel partners, such as United Airlines and Southwest.
Add to that the elevated $300 welcome offer and the intro period with 0% interest and you have a compelling card for which you do not have to pay an annual fee.
If you’re thinking of applying, keep in mind that Chase has an unpublished “5/24” rule, which means if you’ve opened five or more credit cards across all banks in the previous 24 months, your application for a new card from Chase may be automatically denied.
No-annual-fee cards usually have fewer, if any, of the perks that come with premium cards, but the Chase Freedom Unlimited is notable for having a few very useful benefits, including the following:
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Rental car protection: You’ll get insurance covering reimbursement for theft and collision damage (secondary to your personal insurance in the US).
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Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: You’ll be covered for up to $1,500 per person and up to $6,000 per trip for eligible travel expenses if a covered situation results in the cancellation or interruption of your travel. Note that this isn’t trip delay insurance and that for it to kick in you must have bought the trip with the card.
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Extended warranty protection: You can extend the period of warranty coverage by one year on original eligible warranties of three years or less.
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Purchase protection: Your purchases are protected against theft and damage for 120 days after the date of purchase, up to $500 per item.
You can also enjoy a complimentary six-month subscription to DoorDash’s DashPass service (if activated by Dec. 31, 2027).
Its drawbacks are, besides that lower cash-back rate on general purchases than the Citi Double Cash, a 3% foreign transaction fee, which means you should not use this card outside of the US.
But aside from that, the Freedom Unlimited is a great general-use credit card. Just make sure that, if you transfer a balance or plan to defer payment on purchases, you can pay off what you owe before the intro period expires.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
According to CNN Underscored’s credit card methodology, we evaluate cards based on a variety of factors, gauging their utility for real-world users, not just card experts. We consider the following principal factors:
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Earning rate versus redemption value: A high earning rate is valuable, but only if the rewards are too. We balance both factors to assess a card’s overall value.
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Fees against benefits: We compare annual fees with the tangible value of a card’s perks. Travel benefits, such as lounge access, statement credits and insurance protections, are weighed relative to a card’s annual cost.
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Welcome offer: A sizable welcome offer may make applying for a card worthwhile in itself, but only if the spending target is reasonably attainable.
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Ease of redemption: We evaluate whether rewards can be easily redeemed and whether cards with transferable points have strong airline and hotel partners.
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Travel and purchase protections: Trip delay and interruption coverage, baggage protection and rental car insurance add significant value to travel-focused credit cards. Purchase protections like extended warranties and price protection can also make certain cards stand out.
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Interest rates and balance transfer offers: While we advise avoiding interest charges, we evaluate 0% APR introductory offers for consumers looking to manage debt strategically.
CNN Underscored’s team of expert editors and contributors carefully reviews credit cards, travel rewards and loyalty programs to help readers navigate changes and make informed financial decisions. For this story, CNN Underscored senior money editor and credit card expert Alberto Riva, who’s been using the Chase Freedom Unlimited since 2021, applied his years of industry knowledge and personal experience to ensure every detail is accurate and actionable. Our recommendations are grounded in real-world value, not hype, and backed by thorough analysis, expert insight and a commitment to clarity and transparency.
