When it comes to cash back credit cards, Chase offers two main products, the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and while based on the name Unlimited, the later may sound more compelling, names can be deceiving so we’ll take a look at which one is really the better option. To navigate to these Chase offers you can go to Other Points & Travel Credit Cards here to search cards by issuing bank.

Card Comparison: Chase Freedom vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

For comparison, the the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, whereas the Chase Freedom only offers 1% back on all purchases. However, with the Chase Freedom you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.

Off the bat, the Chase Freedom Unlimited seems like the better option, offering a 1.5% cashback on every purchase you make, whereas the Chase Freedom is only a 1% return. However the big difference is that the Chase Freedom has the 5% back each quarter which the Freedom doesn’t, and this can add up.

For instance, this quarter the Chase Freedom offers 5% back on grocery stores and drugstores. If you spend $1,500, you’d earn $75 back, where as on the Unlimited, you’d only earn $22.5o back.

With comparing both of these products, here’s what I’d recommend. You should get the Chase Freedom card, and maximize the 5% back each quarter (up to $1,500 a quarter), and you’ll be looking at an extra $300 back a year.

If you have another Chase product that earns Ultimate Rewards points such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can actually transfer the $300 you’d earn in “cash back” to 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points through your linked Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You must have a card that earns Ultimate Rewards to take advantage of this. To navigate to these Chase offers you can go to Other Points & Travel Credit Cards here to search cards by issuing bank.

Do you have the Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom Unlimited Card? Which card do you prefer and why?