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Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Wyndham Earner Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is a strong choice for everyday spending, offering a solid flat cash back rate on all purchases plus bonus rewards on dining and at drugstores.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: This card is ideal for frequent guests of Wyndham properties who also want to earn bonus points on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
- It offers solid cash back rewards without charging an annual fee.
- You'll earn a respectable baseline of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with an elevated 3% rate on dining and at drugstores.
- With no annual fee to offset, every dollar you earn is pure value; for example, spending $5,000 on general purchases would net you $75 in cash back (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Its rewards structure is both simple and powerful, offering a solid flat rate on every purchase plus bonus cash back in everyday categories like dining and drugstores.
- For a card with no annual fee, it comes packed with valuable protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
- The points you earn are flexible and can be combined with premium Chase cards, unlocking the ability to transfer them to high-value airline and hotel partners.
Cons
- It charges a foreign transaction fee, making it a poor choice for spending abroad.
- To unlock the highest value for your points—like transferring them to travel partners—you must also hold a premium Chase card, a key limitation noted in reviews.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we like the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card.
- The card offers generous rewards on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries.
- Cardholders receive automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status and an annual bonus of 7,500 points each anniversary year.
- The 7,500 anniversary bonus points can be redeemed for up to one free night, helping to offset the card's $75 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Points can be redeemed flexibly for hotel stays, transferred to airline partners, or used for gift cards and merchandise.
- The card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel.
- Cardholders receive a discount on award night redemptions and on the best available rate for paid stays at participating hotels.
Cons
- Unlike many competing hotel cards, this card does not offer a free anniversary night certificate.
- The annual anniversary points bonus is only sufficient for a free night at lower-tier properties.
- The card's rewards are best suited for Wyndham loyalists, as redemption options outside of Wyndham hotel stays offer lower value.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Wyndham Earner Plus, comes down to your spending habits and travel preferences. One card is a versatile workhorse for everyday purchases, while the other is tailored for loyalists of a specific hotel brand.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is ideal for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent cash back on all their purchases without worrying about rotating categories. It's a straightforward choice for those new to rewards or anyone looking to build a flexible rewards strategy.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: This card is best suited for frequent guests of Wyndham hotels who can also take advantage of its bonus rewards on gas, dining, and grocery purchases. It offers the most value to travelers loyal to the Wyndham family of brands.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel through the Chase portal, or gift cards. These points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards to unlock transfers to airline and hotel partners.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Points are primarily redeemed for award nights at the wide range of properties within the Wyndham portfolio. You can also use points for tours and activities or transfer them to select travel partners.
Travel Perks
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Cardholders gain access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal to book flights, hotels, and car rentals using points or cash. This card is not ideal for international travel, as it incurs a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad. It does not offer premium travel perks like airport lounge access.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is focused on the Wyndham family of hotels. It grants automatic Wyndham Rewards Gold status, providing perks like late checkout when available. Like the Freedom Unlimited®, it also charges a foreign transaction fee. Airport lounge access is not a benefit of this card.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders and those new to rewards, offering a straightforward earning structure without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's also a strategic pick for existing Chase customers who can pair it with a premium card to transfer points and unlock greater value. Ultimately, this card appeals to anyone seeking valuable purchase protections and travel benefits without the commitment of an annual fee, as detailed in this comprehensive guide.
Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is tailor-made for loyalists of the Wyndham brand who frequently stay at its portfolio of hotels, vacation rentals, or timeshares. It’s particularly beneficial for those looking to maximize rewards on everyday spending, as it offers high earning rates on gas, dining, and grocery purchases. Travelers who value automatic Platinum elite status and the 7,500 anniversary points will find the card’s perks easily justify its moderate annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
The ongoing Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus debate highlights two very different card types, but what if neither is right for you? Fortunately, the credit card landscape is vast, and other cards might offer the specific benefits you're looking for.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement without overspending.
- Research the rewards program: Understand how you will redeem your points for maximum value before you apply.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have restrictions on how many cards you can open within a certain timeframe.
- Consider card pairings - Combining certain cards, like those in the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, can unlock greater value.
- Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to more easily meet a welcome offer's spending requirement.
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 transfer points from my Chase Freedom Unlimited to Wyndham Rewards?
Yes, you can transfer points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited to the Wyndham Rewards program. This is possible because Chase Ultimate Rewards are a flexible currency that can be moved to various travel partners, including Wyndham.
What kind of traveler benefits most from the Wyndham Earner Plus card?
The Wyndham Earner Plus card is best suited for travelers who are loyal to the Wyndham family of hotels. It's especially beneficial for those who want to achieve elite status and earn award nights faster within the Wyndham Rewards ecosystem.
Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited a good card for everyday spending?
Yes, the Chase Freedom Unlimited excels as a card for everyday spending due to its strong earning rates on a wide range of purchase categories. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for accumulating rewards on daily transactions.
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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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