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Chase Freedom Unlimited vs United Club: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for everyday spenders seeking consistent cash back on purchases like dining and drugstore buys, without having to track rotating categories.
- The United Club℠ Card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who want premium benefits such as United Club lounge access and free checked bags.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® stands out in a crowded field of cash back cards.
- It’s a great entry-level card since there is no annual fee.
- You earn a solid, unlimited 1.5% cash back on all general purchases, with an elevated 3% back on dining and at drugstores.
- To put its earning power in perspective, you would only need to spend about $1,667 on dining to earn $50 in cash back (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- It often comes with an attractive welcome offer for new cardmembers and a generous introductory APR period.
- The card includes a strong suite of consumer protections, such as purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranty coverage, and trip cancellation insurance.
- Points are earned as flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which can be pooled with premium Chase cards to unlock more valuable redemption options, especially for travel.
Cons
- According to a detailed review, the card includes a foreign transaction fee, making it less than ideal for use abroad.
- To unlock the most valuable redemption options—like transferring points to airline and hotel partners—you need to pair it with a premium Chase card.
- While the base earning rate is good, some competing cards offer a higher flat-rate for cash back on all purchases.
United Club Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the United Club℠ Card.
- The complimentary United Club membership provides access to over 45 United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide.
- Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like Premier Access® for priority services and free first and second checked bags for themselves and a companion on the same reservation.
- The United Club membership is valued at up to $650, which nearly offsets the annual fee before accounting for any other benefits (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Complimentary United Club membership provides access to United and partner lounges, while Premier Access® offers priority airport services.
- Cardholders and a companion receive their first and second checked bags free on United flights.
- Offers a variety of travel protections and purchase insurance, plus complimentary elite status with Avis car rentals.
Cons
- The card’s high annual fee can be difficult to justify for travelers who don’t fly United frequently enough to maximize its benefits.
- Its benefits and rewards are heavily skewed toward United loyalists, offering less value for spending outside of United purchases.
- Unlike many competing travel cards, it does not come with an introductory APR offer.
United Club vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or United Club, comes down to your spending habits and travel preferences. Each card caters to a distinctly different type of consumer, from the everyday spender to the frequent flyer.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® is best for cash back seekers and everyday spenders who want consistent rewards without tracking complex categories. It's a strong choice for those new to credit card rewards or existing Chase customers looking to build a rewards strategy.
- The United Club℠ Card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers and business travelers who can take full advantage of its travel-centric perks. It's ideal for those who value airport lounge access and other benefits tied to flying with a specific airline.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, and gift cards, offering a high degree of flexibility for cardholders.
United Club: This card earns miles that are primarily redeemed for flights with United Airlines and its partners, along with other travel benefits like seat upgrades.
Travel Perks
- Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card includes a complimentary United Club membership with access to its lounges and partner locations. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not offer any lounge access.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: You will not pay foreign transaction fees with the United Club Card. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does charge a fee for purchases made abroad.
- Airline-Specific Perks: The United Club Card provides significant benefits when flying United, such as free first and second checked bags for the cardholder and a companion, Premier Access® services like priority boarding, and discounts on inflight purchases. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not have airline-specific perks.
- Travel Program Credits: A statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS is available with the United Club Card. This benefit is not available with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
- Travel Protections: While both cards offer some protections, the United Club Card provides a more robust suite of travel insurance, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement, tailored for frequent flyers.
- Travel Portal: Chase Freedom Unlimited® cardholders can book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. United Club cardholders typically book directly with United to leverage their elite-style benefits.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're still on the fence, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match for your wallet.
- See how much you could earn with a new card using the Test Drive feature, which analyzes your real spending data before you apply.
- Unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards when you add certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee that matches any better public offer found within three months.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Earn extra rewards on top of your card’s rewards with Kudos Boost when shopping at partner stores.
- Manage all your cards, monitor your credit score, and track spending from a single platform.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want a simple, no-annual-fee card that earns consistent rewards on every purchase without the hassle of rotating categories. It particularly benefits those who frequently spend on dining and at drugstores, as well as existing Chase customers looking to build a powerful rewards portfolio. As detailed in this comprehensive guide, the card's true power is unlocked when paired with a premium Chase card, allowing you to transfer points for potentially higher value.
Who Should Choose the United Club?
The United Club℠ Card is primarily designed for loyal United Airlines flyers, including business travelers and those who frequently fly internationally. These travelers can fully leverage the complimentary United Club membership for airport comfort, along with practical perks like free checked bags and priority services. Additionally, the card appeals to MileagePlus members looking to earn Premier Qualifying Points through spending, helping them achieve or maintain elite status with the airline.
Alternatives to Consider
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and United Club℠ Card represent two very different ends of the credit card spectrum, from everyday rewards to premium travel perks. If neither of those options feels like the right fit for your wallet, several other excellent cards are worth considering.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score. Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history.
- Plan your spending. Make sure you can naturally meet any minimum spend for a welcome offer.
- Know your redemption goals. Research how you will use the rewards to maximize their value.
Application Strategy
- Consider card pairings. Some cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, offer greater value when combined with a premium travel card.
- Assess your brand loyalty. Co-branded cards, such as The United Club℠ Card, are most valuable if you frequently use that specific airline or hotel.
- Know the issuer's rules. Be aware of application restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule that could affect your approval odds.
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 Unlimited® and the United Club℠ Card?
Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously, which is a common strategy for maximizing rewards. This approach lets you earn valuable cash back on everyday spending with the Freedom Unlimited® while accessing premium travel perks with the Card when you fly United.
Which card is better for someone new to credit card rewards?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is generally the better choice for beginners, as it has no annual fee and offers a straightforward way to earn cash back on every purchase. It's a low-risk way to start earning credit card rewards without committing to a hefty annual fee.
Is the United Club℠ Card's annual fee worth it?
The United Club℠ Card's annual fee is typically only worthwhile for frequent United Airlines flyers who can take full advantage of its benefits, like the complimentary United Club℠ membership. Before applying, you should estimate the dollar value of the perks you'll actually use to see if it outweighs the cost.
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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.
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