Probably doesn't matter which one you open first as long as you ask them to link the two together. I have the Freedom card for a while and although it does earn some points, you are probably better off using other alternatives like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Bold. They have a higher signup bonus and points earned. For the Freedom card, you have rotating categories with a limit on the amount you can get back. The other two cards have limits also but at a much higher rate.