Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Freedom Unlimited: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is best for maximizing cash back in rotating quarterly bonus categories, in addition to travel booked through Chase, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is ideal for earning a high flat rate on all purchases, with additional bonus rewards on travel through Chase, dining, and at drugstores.
Chase Freedom Flex® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2883", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "No-Fee Card Seekers", "headerHint" : "No Annual Fee" } ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Chase Freedom Flex®.
- You can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating quarterly categories each quarter you activate, on top of generous fixed rates for travel, dining, and drugstore spending.
- The card includes valuable perks not always found on no-fee cards, such as cell phone protection against damage or theft.
- With no annual fee, any cash back you earn is a net gain, making it easy to get value from the card (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers a hybrid rewards structure with both rotating bonus categories and fixed-rate cash back on everyday spending like travel, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- Comes with valuable perks often found on premium cards, including cell phone protection and purchase protection, all without an annual fee.
- Provides flexible redemption options, allowing you to use rewards for cash back or pool them as Ultimate Rewards® points with other eligible Chase cards for potentially greater value.
Cons
- Rotating bonus categories require manual activation each quarter and come with spending caps.
- A foreign transaction fee makes it a less-than-ideal choice for purchases abroad.
- The card is subject to Chase’s application rules, which can make it difficult to get approved if you’ve opened several other cards recently.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "497", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Fantastic Cash Back Card"} ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of our favorite cash back cards.
- It offers a straightforward rewards structure with elevated cash back on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases, plus a high flat rate on all other spending.
- Cardholders get access to valuable protections like trip cancellation insurance, an auto rental waiver, and extended warranty on eligible purchases.
- With no annual fee, you start earning value from your very first purchase, making the break-even on this card $0 (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers a simple rewards structure with no rotating categories to track and an introductory APR period for new purchases and balance transfers.
- Provides valuable travel and purchase protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental waiver, without charging an annual fee.
Cons
- The flat cash back rate on general purchases is lower than what some competing cards offer.
- It may not be the best choice for international travel, as it likely charges a foreign transaction fee.
- To maximize the value of your points for travel, you often need to pair it with a premium Chase travel card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Chase Freedom Flex®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex® or Chase Freedom Unlimited®, comes down to your spending habits and how much effort you want to put into maximizing rewards. Both cards offer great value but excel in different areas.
- Chase Freedom Flex® is ideal for savvy spenders who enjoy maximizing their earnings by taking advantage of rotating bonus categories each quarter. This card rewards users who are willing to track and activate different spending areas throughout the year.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® is better suited for those who prefer a straightforward approach with consistent rewards on all purchases. It offers elevated rewards on common spending categories like travel, dining, and drugstore purchases without the need to track rotating categories.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards earned with this card can be redeemed in various ways, including for cash back, travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, or gift cards.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Similar to the Flex, points from this card offer flexible redemption options, allowing you to get cash back, book travel, or choose from other rewards.
Travel Perks
- Both cards provide access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® consistently offers an elevated rewards rate on travel purchased through the portal, while the Chase Freedom Flex® provides a high rewards rate when travel is an activated quarterly bonus category.
- Cardholders of both the Freedom Flex® and Freedom Unlimited® receive key travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
- For international travel, it's important to note that both cards charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside of the United States.
- Neither card includes airport lounge access, a benefit typically reserved for premium travel credit cards that have an annual fee.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can be invaluable, offering a platform to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique financial situation.
- Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can simulate the potential rewards of any card using your actual spending data. This feature provides a personalized projection of annual rewards and shows how a new card compares to your current ones, all without a hard credit pull.
- Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to better understand your chances of being approved for different cards.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
- Kudos Kickstart+ and Boost: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding eligible cards to your Kudos Wallet and earn extra rewards on top of your card’s regular earnings when shopping at participating stores.
- Personalized Recommendations: The platform matches you with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your specific spending history.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent choice for savvy spenders who enjoy strategizing to maximize their rewards on everyday purchases. It particularly suits those who frequently dine out or shop at drugstores and don't mind activating new bonus categories each quarter, all without paying an annual fee. Furthermore, as this Chase Freedom Flex® review explains, it's a cornerstone for cardholders aiming to build the "Chase trifecta" by pairing it with a premium card to enhance the value of their Ultimate Rewards® points.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a straightforward, no-annual-fee card that delivers solid cash back on everyday purchases. It particularly suits those who frequently spend on dining, at drugstores, or book travel through the Chase portal, as it offers elevated rewards in these specific categories. Furthermore, it's a valuable tool for savvy travelers who pair it with other Chase cards to maximize their Ultimate Rewards points, as detailed in this in-depth guide.
Alternatives to Consider
If this Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited® comparison shows that neither card is the right choice for you, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Let's look at a few other top-tier cash-back cards that might be a better fit for your spending style.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2894", "509"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["2% Cash Back", "Exceptional Value"]} ]]
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - you will generally need good to excellent credit for the best chance of approval.
- Review application rules - be aware of issuer-specific policies, such as the Chase 5/24 rule, which could affect your eligibility.
- Understand the rewards - know how you will earn and redeem rewards to maximize the card’s value for your spending habits.
Application Strategy
- Time your application - apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Apply strategically - consider issuer-specific rules, like Chase's 5/24, that may impact your approval odds.
- Don't get discouraged - some issuers allow you to check for offers with no impact to your credit score.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
Yes, it is possible to hold both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited® cards at the same time. Many cardholders do this to maximize their rewards by using each card for the spending categories where it earns the most.
Is there an annual fee for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
No, neither the Chase Freedom Flex℠ nor the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card charges an annual fee. This makes them excellent long-term options for earning rewards without an upfront cost.
What credit score do I need for the Chase Freedom cards?
While Chase doesn't specify a minimum credit score, both the Freedom Flex℠ and Freedom Unlimited® are generally recommended for applicants with a good to excellent credit score. This typically means a score of 670 or higher.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
.webp)
