Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited comparison: Rotating categories or flat cash back?
Editor's Note
Chase's array of personal credit card products ranges from the ultra-premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® to the cash-back cards, which don't charge annual fees. With so many options, picking the right card can be difficult if you aren't sure what you want.
Thanks to Chase's 5/24 rule (which means that you could automatically be rejected for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more cards in the last 24 months), it's important to have a clear strategy about which Chase cards you want to add to your wallet.
Today, we're looking at two of Chase's no-annual-fee credit cards — the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
By themselves, both earn points that can only be redeemed as cash back at 1 cent per point. However, you can pair either card with a more premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to turn those points into full-fledged Ultimate Rewards points. Then, you can redeem the points through Chase Travel℠ or by transferring them to partners.
Let's review each card's details to see which makes more sense for you.
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited comparison
| Card | Chase Freedom Flex | Chase Freedom Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Sign-up bonus | Earn $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | Earn an additional 1.5% on all purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year. |
| Earning rate | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
5% cash on travel booked through Chase Travel 3% cash back on dining (including takeout & eligible delivery services) 3% cash back at drugstores 1% cash back on all non-category bonus purchases | 5% cash on travel booked through Chase Travel
3% cash back on dining (including takeout & eligible delivery services) 3% cash back at drugstores 1.5% cash back on all non-category bonus purchases |
| Benefits | Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Auto rental collision damage waiver Extended warranty protection Travel and emergency and assistance services Purchase protection Cellphone protection | Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Auto rental collision damage waiver Extended warranty protection Travel and emergency and assistance services Purchase protection |
| Redemption options | Redeem points as cash back, or transfer them to Ultimate Rewards points if you also hold a premium Chase card | Redeem points as cash back, or transfer them to Ultimate Rewards points if you also hold a premium Chase card |
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited welcome bonus
The Freedom Flex offers a sign-up bonus of $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months after account opening. At face value, this bonus is worth $200; however, according to TPG's valuations, if you also hold a premium Chase card and transfer your points, they can be worth $410.
The Freedom Unlimited offers an additional 1.5% on all purchase categories during the first year up to $20,000. At face value, this bonus can be worth up to $300; however, if you also hold a premium Chase card, it can be worth $615, according to TPG's valuations.
Winner: Freedom Unlimited. The greater value of its sign-up offer gives this card an edge over the Freedom Flex.
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited benefits
The Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited both offer trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, extended warranty protection, travel and emergency and assistance services, and purchase protection.
However, where the two cards differ is the benefit of cellphone protection with the Freedom Flex, which is a Mastercard, not a Visa. Cardmembers can get up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year (maximum of 2 claims in a 12-month period with a $50 deductible per claim).
While there aren't too many earth-shattering differences, Mastercard's cellphone protection is the big — and highly desirable — perk between the two.
Winner: Freedom Flex, for its cellphone protection benefit that helps cardholders in case of damage or theft.
Related: The best cards for trip cancellation and interruption insurance — and what it actually covers
Earning cash back with the Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
These credit cards are cash-back-earning cards. They both offer 5% cash on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% cash back at drugstores.
Where they diverge is that while the Freedom Unlimited has a flat 1.5% earning rate on all non-bonused spending (compared to just 1% with the Freedom Flex), the Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating quarterly bonus categories, which include gas stations, Amazon and PayPal.
The Freedom Unlimited is the easier option, while the Freedom Flex requires you to activate the bonus categories every quarter.
Winner: Tie. It depends on whether you want to work to keep up with quarterly rotating bonus categories with the Freedom Flex or opt for a simple flat rate with the Freedom Unlimited.
Related: The best Chase credit cards
Redeeming cash back with the Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
Redeeming your hard-earned cash back with either credit card is quite simple. The traditional options are to redeem for statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. In addition, you can redeem the value of your cash back as gift cards to over 175 brands offered by Chase.
"Shop through Chase" is another option where points can be applied directly for purchases on Chase's partner websites, such as Amazon.com. You can also book travel through the Chase Travel Portal to cover airfare, hotel stays, and rental cars by paying entirely with points or a combination of points and cash. In these instances, you redeem at one cent per point.
Winner: Tie
Related: The complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards
Transferring cash back with the Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
A better way to redeem your cash back from either Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited is to transfer it to one of Chase's premium travel cards, taking advantage of the Chase Trifecta.
These cards include the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The value of your points is increased by 25% when transferred to the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred to redeem travel through Chase Travel. Being a cardholder of the Sapphire Reserve gives you a 50% increase when transferred to that card and redeeming points for travel.
For even more value, you can transfer these combined points from one of the three cards to any one of Chase's 14 transfer partners. The value you can gain from your points when transferring to travel partners has no limits.
I recently secured a one-way business-class ticket to Paris by booking through Air France-KLM Flying Blue for 50,000 points, giving me a redemption rate of over 7 cents per point.
Winner: Tie
Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value
Should I get the Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Freedom Flex is more beneficial if your spending habits change throughout the year due to its rotating bonus categories while also offering cellphone protection as a unique perk. Conversely, the Freedom Unlimited is ideal for those who prefer simplicity and want guaranteed rewards without the need to track or activate bonus categories, making it a great choice for beginners.
How to switch from the Chase Freedom FLex to Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Both the Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited fall within the same family of Chase's cash-back cards; therefore, you can switch between the two. Switching cards is as simple as calling the customer service phone number found on the back of the card and requesting a product change to either card.
When switching from one card to another, you forgo earning the welcome bonus on the card. This is an important aspect to keep in mind, as you'll miss out on a chunk of cash back rewards.
Bottom line
Whether you opt for the Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited, these cards fit nicely into just about every type of credit card strategy. If you're new to the world of points and miles and have a more limited credit history, these cards are easier to get approved for than premium cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
They can also help you build a strong relationship with Chase while earning valuable rewards — resist the temptation to redeem them for cash back until you get a Sapphire card later. Even if you're a more advanced award traveler, you can get a lot of value from these cards.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex