5 reasons I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited as a credit card beginner
Editor's Note
It's no secret that stepping into the world of credit card points and miles can be intimidating. Intricate rewards structures, hefty annual fees and unattainable sign-up bonuses are hard enough for the pros to grasp. But for a beginner like myself, it can feel impossible.
That said, when it came time to sign up for my first credit card, one stood out among the rest, alleviating every reservation I previously held about credit cards.
Here are five reasons why I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) as a credit card beginner.
Straightforward earning
With many credit cards using rotating bonus categories and complex tier structures, I worried about choosing a card I could fully maximize. I have a lot on my mind, and keeping track of which spending category switched this month is simply not on my to-do list.
Thankfully, the Chase Freedom Unlimited eliminates the guesswork with its straightforward yet lucrative rewards structure:
- 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3% back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 3% back at drugstores
- 1.5% back on all other purchases
For me, the 3% back on dining has been the MVP in terms of my spending. I'm always on the go, meeting up with friends, so eating out has become a regular part of my lifestyle. I can confidently make the most of my restaurant excursions with the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
The 1.5% back on all other purchases should also not be understated. Even the points and miles experts get excited about it. Most cards in the market only offer 1% outside of bonus categories, putting the Chase Freedom Unlimited a step above. I can earn at least 1.5% back on every purchase, every day, without any limitations. Now, that's definitely something to write home about.
Related: The complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards
Hassle-free sign-up bonus
Another feature that attracted me to the Chase Freedom Unlimited as a credit card beginner was its unique sign-up bonus.
With this card, you can earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Earning back 40% of an initial spending requirement is ultra valuable, and potentially even more significant if you can pair it with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
No annual fee
Now, points and miles experts often talk about how the benefits of their cards, such as lounge access, hotel statement credits and airline companion passes, make up for the annual fee. And they're right — if you're a frequent traveler.
As a beginner, though, I'm not jetting across the globe frequently to take advantage of these perks. So, signing up for one of those elite cards would actually cost me money. I simply want to earn rewards on my trips to McDonald's and maybe a flight to Florida next year.
That's why the fact that the Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee is a game changer for me. I don't have to worry about any extra costs year after year.
Related: The complete guide to credit card annual fees
Personalized Chase Offers
One often overlooked feature that I absolutely love is the Chase Offers program. As a cardholder, I can simply add offers — like 5% back or $20 off — to my account and save even more. It's a no-brainer, right?
In the past, I've earned 5% back on my fuel purchase at Kroger, my go-to gas station. I've also saved on purchases at Little Caesars, OfficeMax and Arby's. These tailored offers make me feel like I'm getting exclusive deals that fit my lifestyle perfectly.
Related: How to book travel (and save points) with Chase Travel
Future pairing power
While I may be a beginner now, that doesn't mean I'm not aiming to become a pro in the credit card game. Therefore, it was crucial for me to choose a card that would have long-term value in my wallet. Fortunately, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is the perfect fit, as it pairs seamlessly with several other cards in the Chase lineup.
One excellent candidate for pairing is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), which happens to be the card I plan to add to my wallet next. On its own, the Freedom Unlimited maximizes earnings with its 1.5% back on all non-bonus purchases. However, when you pair it with the Sapphire Preferred, you can transfer these points to any of Chase's 14 travel partners for maximum value.
In my view, the Freedom Unlimited helps you accumulate points, while the Sapphire Preferred allows you to redeem those points more advantageously. It's a winning combination that will set me up for success in the long run.
Related: Better together: The ultimate guide to the best credit card pairings
Bottom line
The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers surprisingly great earning rates with no annual fee, making it the perfect starter credit card for a beginner like me. As I look toward the future of my points and miles game, I'm eager to pair the Freedom Unlimited with a higher-tier Chase card to maximize my points even more. The Chase Freedom Unlimited can truly be your catalyst to becoming a points and miles pro, just like it has for me.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees