The Freedom Unlimited isn’t flashy and often flies under the radar, but don’t judge a card by its shine. It can hold its own, even among cards with higher earning rates, and taking redemptions a step further than most cardholders can double the value of each point.
Chase Ultimate Rewards® earned on the card give it a distinct advantage over others. Ultimate Rewards are flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back if you prefer, or they can be used to cover purchases, buy gift cards or travel.
I applied for this card chasing a higher earning rate on purchases outside of bonus categories so I’d have more Ultimate Rewards to use toward traveling with my family. I can book travel with points from the Freedom Unlimited through Chase Travel℠ at a respectable rate of 1 cent per point. But there’s a way to get even more value.
Points from eligible Chase cards can be pooled, and I also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card pairing goes deeper than simply combining points for a larger balance. Points in my Sapphire Preferred account are worth 25% more booking through Chase Travel.
But I prefer to take it one step further and use the Sapphire Preferred to transfer to airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, Southwest and United. I can transfer my rewards to these travel partners and get 100% more value from my points and sometimes even more.
If traveling or getting another card is not an option, the Freedom Unlimited’s cash-back redemption rate is higher than most other cards at a flat 1 cent per point.