Chase Freedom Unlimited benefits guide

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®* is one of the top cash back credit cards on the market today — and for a good reason. It started out as a flat-rate cash back credit card offering 1.5 percent cash back on each purchase, but today, with the addition of four rewards categories, you can earn as much as 5 percent cash back on certain purchases.

The perks don’t stop at earning cash back rewards. To really maximize the value of a Chase Freedom Unlimited card, read on to learn about all of the card’s benefits.

Chase Freedom Unlimited rewards and sign-up bonus

To start, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5 percent back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025); 3 percent back on dining and drugstore purchases; and 1.5 percent cash back on all non-category purchases.

But these rewards rates get even better when you factor in the card’s first-year welcome bonus: When you apply through Bankrate, you’ll earn an additional 1.5 percent cash back on top of each rewards category (on up to $20,000) for the first year. This increases your rewards rates to the following for the first 12 months (up to the cap):

• 6.5 percent cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 6.5 percent back on Lyft rides
• 4.5 percent back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 3 percent back on non-category purchases

Note, though the Chase Freedom Unlimited is advertised as a cash back credit card, it technically earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed at a 1:1 ratio for cash back.

Chase Freedom Unlimited zero-interest benefits

The Freedom Unlimited is an especially good choice for financing a large purchase without paying additional money in interest, or for paying off existing credit card debt, while still earning rewards.

It offers an introductory 0 percent APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR between 20.49 percent and 29.24 percent. While this isn’t the longest zero-interest offer on the market, the card’s solid rewards rates and added perks will continue to bring you value long after your debt or purchase is paid off.

Note, there is a balance transfer fee if you go the debt payoff route: $5 or 3 percent of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. This fee is valid for the first 60 days of card ownership, after which it jumps to 5 percent (or $5, whichever is greater).

Chase Freedom Unlimited travel benefits

The market is full of luxury rewards cards for travel enthusiasts, and while the Freedom Unlimited isn’t quite geared toward premium travel perks there’s still plenty to like for those who take the occasional trip.

Auto rental insurance

If you’re renting a car, you can get rental car insurance against theft or collision damage if you pay with your card. This coverage is secondary to your own car insurance, so if you need it, you’ll need to file a claim with your own car insurance first.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Another nice perk is trip cancellation and interruption insurance. With this benefit, if your trip is canceled or cut short because you got sick or caught in a snowstorm, for example, you can be reimbursed for up to $1,500 per person (max of four people) and $6,000 per trip against fares and tickets you’ve already paid.

Travel and emergency assistance services

Ever run into a problem while you’re traveling or commuting? You can call Chase’s Benefit Administrator for emergency help, as well as for medical and legal referrals. Note, you will have to pay for the costs of these services, but access to help is free.

Chase Freedom Unlimited protection benefits

It’s really frustrating to have an expensive purchase break or get stolen not too long after you bought it. Thankfully, the Freedom Unlimited offers purchase protection and extended warranty protection, both of which can help you recover from those sorts of unfortunate events. Further, you’ll stay protected against fraud with Chase’s zero liability protection.

Purchase protection

If your purchase is stolen or damaged within 120 days of buying it, you can be reimbursed for up to $500 per claim ($50,000 per account) with Chase’s purchase protection perk.

Extended warranty protection

If your purchase had a warranty with it, you might be eligible for an extended warranty through Chase. This one’s a little tricky, though, as it only applies to U.S. manufacturers’ warranties of three years or less. But if your item is eligible, Chase will give you an additional year of warranty on that item.

For example, if you used your card to buy a $300 Fitbit that originally came with a one-year warranty and it dies after 18 months, you may be able to get reimbursed with Chase’s extended warranty benefit.

Zero liability protection

If any unauthorized purchases are made with your Freedom Unlimited card or account information, Chase won’t hold you responsible.

Chase Freedom Unlimited entertainment benefits

If you’re a foodie — whether you enjoy ordering takeout or getting groceries delivered for a special dinner at home — be sure to take advantage of these Freedom Unlimited perks.

Free DashPass membership

With the Freedom Unlimited, you’ll get three complimentary months of DoorDash DashPass membership, after which you’ll be automatically enrolled for an additional nine months at 50 percent off (if you choose to keep the service). This membership gets you access to unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee on orders over $12 along with reduced service fees, but you’ll need to activate the perk by Dec. 31, 2024.

Free Instacart+ membership and statement credits

Similar to the DoorDash benefit, you’ll receive three complimentary months of Instacart+ membership, then be automatically enrolled for an annual membership (should you choose to keep it). Instacart+ membership gets you unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees. To use this benefit, you’ll need to enroll by July 31, 2024.

After enrollment, you can get up to $10 in quarterly statement credits when you make eligible purchases through Instacart with your card (through July 31, 2024).

Maximizing your Chase Freedom Unlimited benefits

There’s a lot to love when it comes to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and it can bring you even more value if you pair it with a premium Chase credit card.

One of the best ways to boost your rewards is to pair the Freedom Unlimited with another card in the Chase Ultimate Rewards product suite, because you can transfer your points between Chase cards.

For example, your points are worth 25 percent more with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when you redeem toward Ultimate Rewards travel and a whopping 50 percent more toward Ultimate Rewards travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. These cards come with annual fees, though, so you’ll need to decide if applying is worth the increased redemption value.

The boosted rewards from the welcome bonus can also be quite useful to you, especially since it lines up with the intro APR offer. Because of the card’s focus on both travel and everyday spending and the lowest rewards rate on any purchase would be 3 percent for the first year, this would be a great time to either use the card for big purchases or day-to-day expenses.

Further, pairing with more premium Chase cards gives you the option to transfer points to a Chase airline or hotel transfer partner for added value. Bankrate currently values Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents apiece toward high-value transfer partner travel, meaning a 50,000-point rewards haul could be worth as much as $1,000.

The bottom line

While it’s a solid option for cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited’s benefits may be enough to pique the interest of occasional travelers — especially if you already own (or are looking to own) a Chase Sapphire travel card. And if you’re hoping to finance a large purchase that you can pay off within a low-interest introductory period, pay off existing credit card debt or take advantage of additional travel and purchase protections, even better.

Either way, as long as you pay your bills responsibly and on time, the Chase Freedom Unlimited can help you reach your financial goals.

*The information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.