Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers 3 percent cash back

Editor’s Note: The offer below on the Chase Freedom Unlimited is no longer available as of Oct. 10, 2019. 

Chase has launched a new sign-up bonus offer for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. Now, instead of earning $150 after $500 spend in the first three months, new cardholders will earn 3 percent cash back during their first year of card membership, on up to $20,000 in purchases.

	Updated offer	Previous offer
Sign-up bonus	Earn 3 percent cash back on all purchases in your first year, on up to $20,000	Earn $150 cash back when you spend $500 in the first 3 months

Once the $20,000 spend cap has been met, cardholders will earn unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases.

Which offer is better?

Although the Freedom Unlimited card no longer features a $150 sign-up bonus, we think the updated offer is more valuable. By our estimates, the average consumer who spends $15,900 annually on food, gas, clothing and general purchases can squeeze $477 in rewards value from the Freedom Unlimited card in the first year of card membership. The past offer, by contrast, was worth approximately $389 in rewards value.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Why use it? If you want a straightforward approach to earning rewards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option. In addition to offering a very generous 3-percent cash back rate, the card does not charge an annual fee – allowing you to try it out without much commitment. Read more	Card details at a glance: Earn 3% cash back on up to $20,000 in purchases in the first year Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases No annual fee Estimated first year rewards value ($15,900 spend): $477

In fact, if you max out the $20,000 spend cap, you’ll earn $600 in cash back in the first year alone.

Keep in mind, though, that the 3-percent rate is only available during the first year of card membership. After that, the average consumer who spends $15,900 each year will earn approximately $239 in rewards annually.

Still, the opportunity to earn unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase is a very generous offer.

When can you apply?

The 3 percent offer, which first launched in Chase branches on March 18, 2019, became available to online applicants on April 5. Chase has not specified when the offer is scheduled to end.

To locate a Chase branch near you, click here.