Waiting on Chase Freedom Unlimited double cash back to post? Here's when you can expect it
Many TPG readers took advantage of the lucrative unlimited double cash-back offer (no longer available) on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® that ran from October 2023 to January 2024.
And a lot of them are still patiently — or perhaps impatiently — waiting more than a year later for their bonus cash back to post.
Some Freedom Unlimited cardholders — including myself — have been concerned about when — or even if — the one-time bonus would post. Given the terms and conditions on the offer aren't the clearest and some Chase agents don't know about the offer, it's understandable that cardholders are doubting if and when the bonus will post.
The good news is that if it hasn't posted to your account already, it should by the end of March. We have three data points — including my own — to support this timeline.
So, let's dig in so you can calculate the exact date on which those valuable points will land in your Ultimate Rewards account.
Freedom Unlimited double cash-back offer details
As a reminder, the offer stated that in addition to the regular cash back you'd receive on purchases posted after the close of each monthly statement, you'd receive a one-time bonus of the "matched" — or doubled — cash back just over a year later.
Here are the exact terms and conditions:
With this offer you will receive a one-time bonus equal to all Cash Back rewards earned during your first 12 monthly billing cycles from account opening with your Chase Freedom Unlimited card. ... Please allow 6 to 8 weeks from the end of your 12th monthly billing cycle for bonus Cash Back rewards to post to your account.
When should you expect to receive your double cash back on the Freedom Unlimited?
You should receive your one-time bonus up to 13 months after your first statement closing date on the account.
So, if you opened the card on Dec. 1, 2023, for example, with your first statement closing date of Jan. 1, 2024, you should receive your bonus by Feb. 1, 2025.
You can find your statement history in your online account or by calling Chase at the number on the back of your card.
On the later end of the scale: If you opened the card on Jan. 4, 2024, your first statement closing date is likely to be Feb. 4, 2024, which means your bonus should arrive on March 4, 2025.
If you do not receive your bonus by the 13-month mark, I'd recommend sending Chase a secure message through your online account or calling the number on the back of your card.
Data point 1
So, let's look at my real-life example:
- I applied and was approved for this card on Dec. 6, 2023.
- My first monthly statement closed on Dec. 25, 2023 (that's strange because I would've expected it to be a full month later, i.e., Jan. 6, 2023).
- My 12th monthly statement closed on Nov. 25, 2024.
- My one-time bonus posted on Jan. 25, 2024.
That means that from the closing date of my first statement (Dec. 25, 2023), it took 13 months for my bonus to post.
Looking at it a different way: My bonus posted exactly eight weeks after my 12th monthly statement (Nov. 25, 2024).
I earned 29,123 bonus points from the double cash back offer. Given that I also hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), I can convert that one-time bonus to fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.
I plan to combine these points into my Sapphire Reserve account and transfer them to World of Hyatt, as I am trying to reach 60 elite nights this year to qualify for Globalist status for the first time.
Data point 2
A Reddit user had a similar experience:
- They applied for this card on Oct. 18, 2023 (and I presume were approved on the same day).
- Their first monthly statement closed on Nov. 1, 2023 (less than a month later, like my case).
- Their 12th monthly statement closed on Oct. 1, 2023.
- Their one-time bonus posted on Dec. 1, 2024.
That makes it, again, 13 months from their first statement date (Nov. 1, 2023). Or, looking at it differently, eight weeks after their 12th statement date (Oct. 1, 2023).
Data point 3
TPG senior editorial director Nick Ewen is eagerly awaiting his bonus to post. Last week, he got an email letting him know his one-time bonus is on its way.
Let's look at Nick's dates:
- He applied and was approved for this card on Dec. 13, 2023.
- His first monthly statement closed on Jan. 13, 2024 (exactly a month after approval).
- His 12th monthly statement closed on Dec. 13, 2024.
- He received an email on Jan. 22, 2025.
- His one-time bonus is expected to post on Feb. 13, 2025.
Nick was also impressed that it appears that double cash back wasn't limited to spending on the card; it also doubled his Shop Through Chase earnings. He did some digging and found that the nearly 2,000 bonus points he'd earned for holiday shopping in late November and early December had become almost 4,000 points.
Bottom line
If you were one of the lucky ones who jumped on the unlimited double cash-back offer on the Chase Freedom Unlimited just over a year ago and haven't seen your bonus points post yet, don't fret.
Here's how to calculate when you'll receive them:
- Ignore your card application or approval date.
- Instead, find the date of your first statement (example: Dec. 28, 2023).
- Add 13 months to that date to calculate the date your bonus points should post (example: Jan. 28, 2025).
And if you missed out on the unlimited double cash-back offer, you can apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited (see rates and fees) and receive a great welcome offer. You'll earn $300 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That $300 cash back is worth 30,000 bonus points if you also have an Ultimate Rewards points-earning card.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Related: The best cards to pair with the Chase Freedom Unlimited
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.