Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Chase Freedom Unlimited: Which Is Better In 2025?

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® stands out in a crowded field of cash back cards.

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• It offers strong cash back rates on everyday categories like dining and drugstore purchases without charging an annual fee.
• The card includes valuable protections like trip cancellation insurance and an extended warranty on eligible purchases.
• If at least one-third of your spending is on dining and at drugstores, this card can provide more value than many flat-rate 2% cash back cards (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The rewards structure is simple to manage, with no rotating categories to activate, and cash back can be converted to versatile Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
• It includes a strong set of travel and purchase protections, like trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
• New cardholders benefit from an introductory interest-free period on purchases and balance transfers, plus a complimentary DashPass membership.

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Cons

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• The rewards program has some limitations; the base cash back rate is lower than some competitors, and the top travel rate requires booking through Chase's portal.
• It's not the best choice for international travel due to potential foreign transaction fees, and it lacks premium perks like airport lounge access.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Freedom Unlimited, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals. Each card excels in different areas, catering to distinct types of users.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card is best for entry-level travel, designed for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards and get travel protections without a premium annual fee.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This is a versatile rewards card ideal for maximizing cash back on everyday spending with a simple, straightforward earning structure.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Points are geared towards travel, offering enhanced value when redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel through the Chase portal or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards can be redeemed for straightforward cash back, but also offer the flexibility to be used for travel, gift cards, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card is built for travel. You get more value for your points when booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, and you can transfer points 1:1 to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs. It also includes an annual hotel credit, comprehensive travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver, and has no foreign transaction fees.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: While not a dedicated travel card, it offers a high rewards rate on travel booked through the Chase portal and provides some travel insurance benefits. However, it does charge a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international trips.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Instead of relying on generic 'best of' lists, Kudos offers a data-driven way to compare thousands of credit cards based on your personal spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: See exactly how much a new card could earn you based on your actual spending history before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
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• Compare nearly 3,000 cards: Explore a massive library of credit cards—95% of which are not tied to commissions—for unbiased recommendations.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers looking to maximize rewards on their travel and dining expenses. This cardholder values robust travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and flexible redemption options, including point transfers to airline and hotel partners. As a top-tier travel card with a modest annual fee, it's best suited for individuals with good to excellent credit, as detailed in this Chase Sapphire Preferred® review.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a versatile, no-annual-fee card that rewards everyday spending without the hassle of rotating categories. It's particularly well-suited for those who want to maximize their earnings by pairing it with a premium Chase travel card, as well as those who appreciate strong cash back rates on dining and drugstore purchases. As a comprehensive review of the card notes, it's ideal for users with good to excellent credit who value both simplicity and the potential for high-value travel redemptions.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Chase Sapphire Preferred® vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited® comparison didn't turn up the right card for you, don't sweat it. There are several other excellent rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most successful applicants have good to excellent credit.
• Review Chase's application rules – Be aware of restrictions like the 5/24 rule before submitting your application.
• Consider your card strategy – This card pairs well with other Chase cards to maximize rewards.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application wisely – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any welcome offer spending requirements.
• Be accurate and honest – Double-check all personal and financial information on your application before submitting it.
• Don't panic if you're not instantly approved – Sometimes applications require further review by the issuer.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Freedom Unlimited?

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Yes, you can hold both cards at the same time, and it's a popular strategy for maximizing rewards. This pairing lets you use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for its bonus categories and general spending, then transfer those points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to redeem for travel.

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How do points from both cards work together?

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Points earned on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be transferred to a Chase Sapphire Preferred® account. This move is key, as it allows you to take advantage of the Sapphire Preferred's higher redemption value when booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

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Is one card better for beginners?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is often considered a better starting point for beginners, thanks to its straightforward rewards and lack of an annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent next step for those who travel enough to justify its fee and want to maximize their point redemptions.

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