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Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited a good first credit card?

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    The Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card has great features, benefits and perks—however, it may not be  ideal for first-time credit card users. Instead, Chase Freedom Rise® may be a more helpful option for a first-time applicant.

    Why Chase Freedom Rise is a better starter credit card

    Chase Freedom Rise is a card built for those who are just starting to build their credit. It may be the right fit for those new to credit as well as students, as it comes with a few helpful perks. With this card, you can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases and choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit when you redeem your cash back rewards. You may also receive $25 for enrolling in automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account and maintaining enrolment for at least 90 days.

    Plus, if you start with a Freedom Rise credit card, there may be a path for you to upgrade to Unlimited. Once you’ve been approved for Freedom Rise, you will be automatically evaluated each year to upgrade to your first Chase Freedom Unlimited card when:

    • Your Freedom Rise credit card account is open and you’ve made a purchase on this card in the last 12 months.
    • You’ve made all payments to all financial lenders in a timely manner during the past 12 months and none of your Chase accounts have been suspended.

    Why would you want to upgrade to Chase Freedom Unlimited?

    If you are just starting to build your credit history, you may want to consider how your lifestyle and spending habits align with what a credit card has to offer. Freedom Unlimited is a great card to have as it offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and flexible ways to earn even more on select purchases. Let’s take a look at some other reasons why you may want to upgrade to Chase Freedom Unlimited:

    • Low annual fee: Enjoy a low annual fee for enjoying the perks, benefits and features of the card—this can be especially useful for students with low incomes or recent graduates.
    • Low interest for introductory period: The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offers a low intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months after opening the card.
    • Rewards: Cash back rewards may be redeemed toward gift cards and travel, requested as a statement credit or as a direct deposit in your bank account. Additionally, cash back rewards don't expire as long as your account is open.

    Does Chase Freedom Unlimited offer cash back?

    Cash back rewards may be earned through various spending categories.

    Travel: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel™.

    Dining: Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.

    Drugstore: Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases.

    All other purchases: Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

    What are some of the benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card?

    The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers the following benefits, among others:

    Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the time period of the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from the date of purchase.*

    Purchase protection: Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.*,**

    Zero Liability Protection: You won't be responsible for unauthorized purchases with your Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card.

    In conclusion

    Chase Freedom Unlimited may be a good option for you. It comes with low annual fees and APR while offering a rewards program where you can redeem points for experiences and services important to you. If you are a first time credit card user, you may want to consider instead applying for Chase Freedom Rise.

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