Chase Freedom Unlimited: The Everyday Card That Fuels Travel
When people ask me how I afford to travel so much each year without draining my wallet, my answer often includes the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. It’s not flashy, but it’s a powerhouse for everyday spending. In fact, it is currently the card I have my Junior in college carrying for his expenses. He loves to eat out at restaurants where he gets 3% back on all the food he buys. He then earns 1.5% back on all his other purchases. Pair it with the Chase Sapphire and Chase Freedom Card, and voila, you have the Chase Trifecta.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through a link and make a purchase, I may get a small commission at no cost to you. (PS: I only recommend things I really use)
Check out my Chase Credit Card Guide -> best Chase cards travel hacking
Why This Card Belongs in Your Wallet
Flat-rate earning: 1.5% cash back (or 1.5x points) on every purchase. No categories to track, no mental gymnastics.
Bonus categories: 3% on dining and drugstores.
Welcome bonus: New cardmembers often snag a generous cash-back/points bonus after hitting a low spend threshold. I would appreciate you using my referral link for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.
No annual fee: Perfect for beginners or families who want rewards without extra costs.
Check out my real adventures using points and miles -> Real Points & Miles Adventures
Turning Cash Back Into Travel
Pair the Freedom Unlimited® with a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and suddenly your “cash back” becomes transferable points. That means:
Moving points into airline partners like United, Southwest, or Air France. Learn more about Chase Transfer Partners -> Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners
Stretching everyday expenses into Caribbean sunsets or Mediterranean sailings.
Real-Life Example: From Groceries to Cruises
I used Freedom Unlimited® for everyday expenses — trips to Costco and Target. I pay bills with it, such as power and water. These points really add up! When paired with my Sapphire Preferred®, I transferred them into Southwest flights and Hyatt stays. Suddenly, my errands became the backbone of a Mediterranean cruise with my husband and our family trip to France.
That’s the essence of No Point Left Behind: every purchase has potential.
Who Should Get This Card?
Beginners: If you’re new to points and miles, this is a low-risk, high-reward starter card.
Families: Easy to use, no categories to track, and rewards stack quickly.
Travel hackers: Perfect companion to Sapphire cards for maximum transfer value.
Want to earn more Chase points? Check out this post on the Shop Through Chase -> What is Shop Through Chase
My Takeaway
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® isn’t a flashy card — it’s about everyday spending. Especially if you love Ultimate Rewards as I do. It’s the card that helps build your travel fund while you .put your everyday expenses on it. If you’re serious about making travel more affordable, this card is a must-have in your wallet.
Let’s Travel Hack Together!
If you enjoy learning how we travel as a family using points, miles, and smart credit card strategies, I’d love for you to follow along:
