Mar 31, 2016, 12:02 pm
Last edit by: mia
5x for first year at Grocery Stores. Capped at 12K in spend:
Key points:
- $200 (20K UR) sign up bonus
- Does not seem to be possible to generate referrals for this offer
It earns Ultimate Rewards points which may be redeemed for cash.
Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire, Sapphire Preferred, all versions of Ink, JPM Select, JPM Palladium all earn Ultimate Rewards points. Ultimate Rewards points earned with any of these cards may be redeemed for cash at the rate 1 point = $0.01.
Chase markets Freedom, Unlimited, and Ink Cash as cash rewards, the others as points cards. The difference is in the marketing, not the rewards.
Travel and purchase protection benefits
Visa Signature
Visa Platinum
For general info, see Applying for Chase Credit Cards, 2017 onward.
Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Mar 16, 2016, 5:51 pm
#121
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 21
Thanks guys. I guess I'll pass on that.
The automated update line now says 7-10 days
Mar 16, 2016, 8:03 pm
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
As pointed out in a recent post, 7-10 day message does not always mean denial. I'm not saying it doesn't in your case (I can't know, of course), but it's not certain any more.
Mar 17, 2016, 5:59 pm
#128
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Newcastle, WA, USA
Posts: 123
I applied and was approved for the FU this morning. I was just going to pick up the brochure, and apply when it comes online in 4/2016. But I couldn't wait 
I was approved with only a $500 CL so I asked the branch to re-allocate my CL between my regular Freedom and Sapphire Preferred so it's $15k each now. Unfortunately, the new card won't be a Visa Signature because it was initially approved with only a $500 CL. The branch said they can change it to a Signature, but I'd forfeit my sign up bonus because it'd require an account change. I sent a SM to Chase when I got home to see if there's anything they can do. Fingers crossed!
I was approved with only a $500 CL so I asked the branch to re-allocate my CL between my regular Freedom and Sapphire Preferred so it's $15k each now. Unfortunately, the new card won't be a Visa Signature because it was initially approved with only a $500 CL. The branch said they can change it to a Signature, but I'd forfeit my sign up bonus because it'd require an account change. I sent a SM to Chase when I got home to see if there's anything they can do. Fingers crossed!
Mar 17, 2016, 8:33 pm
#129
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
Then see if the multiplier is worth more than the bonus you've made in the last year with your freedom.
I know personally I cleaned up on freedoms Amazon 5x and then amazingly generous 10x bonus. This year I am going to max out the local commuter transport (tons of cabs and ubers for work) and restaurants (client dinners) and the bonus on those two categories would be more than the bonus I get on freedom unlimited for every day spend. Plus for me, everyday unbonused spend is spg Amex or diners club if a place doesn't take Amex (aka my dry cleaners). For me, the numbers say stick with my freedom and don't mess with my chase cards (which includes a Hyatt and CSP)
I also pay my rent with a credit card (appfolio), but I prefer to use that for making cc bonuses (especially since most good ms venues are gone) which is more profitable than 1.5x ur.
But, everyone's situation is different and you'll have to do the math to see if it works for you.
Mar 18, 2016, 5:35 am
#130
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 587
It becomes a calculation. How much unbonused spend do you put on your freedom today or plan to put on it (would the unlimited replace another "everyday" card?)
Then see if the multiplier is worth more than the bonus you've made in the last year with your freedom.
I know personally I cleaned up on freedoms Amazon 5x and then amazingly generous 10x bonus. This year I am going to max out the local commuter transport (tons of cabs and ubers for work) and restaurants (client dinners) and the bonus on those two categories would be more than the bonus I get on freedom unlimited for every day spend. Plus for me, everyday unbonused spend is spg Amex or diners club if a place doesn't take Amex (aka my dry cleaners). For me, the numbers say stick with my freedom and don't mess with my chase cards (which includes a Hyatt and CSP)
I also pay my rent with a credit card (appfolio), but I prefer to use that for making cc bonuses (especially since most good ms venues are gone) which is more profitable than 1.5x ur.
But, everyone's situation is different and you'll have to do the math to see if it works for you.
Then see if the multiplier is worth more than the bonus you've made in the last year with your freedom.
I know personally I cleaned up on freedoms Amazon 5x and then amazingly generous 10x bonus. This year I am going to max out the local commuter transport (tons of cabs and ubers for work) and restaurants (client dinners) and the bonus on those two categories would be more than the bonus I get on freedom unlimited for every day spend. Plus for me, everyday unbonused spend is spg Amex or diners club if a place doesn't take Amex (aka my dry cleaners). For me, the numbers say stick with my freedom and don't mess with my chase cards (which includes a Hyatt and CSP)
I also pay my rent with a credit card (appfolio), but I prefer to use that for making cc bonuses (especially since most good ms venues are gone) which is more profitable than 1.5x ur.
But, everyone's situation is different and you'll have to do the math to see if it works for you.
Mar 18, 2016, 7:51 am
#131
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 292
If you don't max out every 5% category or even close, the Freedom Unlimited may come ahead assuming you'd be putting some "everyday" spend on the Freedom anyway.
For me, I don't have a Freedom, but my experience with Discover, which is a similar card, is that I don't even come close to the cap for the 5% most of the time. Gas is basically useless to me, as I buy it maybe twice a month at the most. Restaurants will be nice but as a single guy I'm not spending $500 a month on it. Amazon, again, is nice, but I'm not going to go out of my way to buy stuff just to get 5% off, which I've seen plenty of people do.
The point is that if the categories aren't something you max out (naturally or on purpose), the FU may be better in the long term, especially since the categories aren't guaranteed and often get weaker/narrower over time (has happened to a degree with Freedom and Discover).
For me, I don't have a Freedom, but my experience with Discover, which is a similar card, is that I don't even come close to the cap for the 5% most of the time. Gas is basically useless to me, as I buy it maybe twice a month at the most. Restaurants will be nice but as a single guy I'm not spending $500 a month on it. Amazon, again, is nice, but I'm not going to go out of my way to buy stuff just to get 5% off, which I've seen plenty of people do.
The point is that if the categories aren't something you max out (naturally or on purpose), the FU may be better in the long term, especially since the categories aren't guaranteed and often get weaker/narrower over time (has happened to a degree with Freedom and Discover).
Mar 18, 2016, 8:36 am
#132
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
If you don't max out every 5% category or even close, the Freedom Unlimited may come ahead assuming you'd be putting some "everyday" spend on the Freedom anyway.
For me, I don't have a Freedom, but my experience with Discover, which is a similar card, is that I don't even come close to the cap for the 5% most of the time. Gas is basically useless to me, as I buy it maybe twice a month at the most. Restaurants will be nice but as a single guy I'm not spending $500 a month on it. Amazon, again, is nice, but I'm not going to go out of my way to buy stuff just to get 5% off, which I've seen plenty of people do.
The point is that if the categories aren't something you max out (naturally or on purpose), the FU may be better in the long term, especially since the categories aren't guaranteed and often get weaker/narrower over time (has happened to a degree with Freedom and Discover).
For me, I don't have a Freedom, but my experience with Discover, which is a similar card, is that I don't even come close to the cap for the 5% most of the time. Gas is basically useless to me, as I buy it maybe twice a month at the most. Restaurants will be nice but as a single guy I'm not spending $500 a month on it. Amazon, again, is nice, but I'm not going to go out of my way to buy stuff just to get 5% off, which I've seen plenty of people do.
The point is that if the categories aren't something you max out (naturally or on purpose), the FU may be better in the long term, especially since the categories aren't guaranteed and often get weaker/narrower over time (has happened to a degree with Freedom and Discover).
If no, then the FC in the short term gives you more and after 1 year you can switch to the FU card. Also you could get the FC now and wait and see if the FU offers a bonus after a few months months. If they don't the worse part is you have both.
Also I did max out on Amazon last year. Only because I was going to buy it anyway and getting home delivery was a plus. So I think there's room for both.
Mar 18, 2016, 9:51 am
#133
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
The only thing I haven't seen is does the FU have a sign up bonus? I may have missed it because I only come in here every 2-3 days.
If no, then the FC in the short term gives you more and after 1 year you can switch to the FU card. Also you could get the FC now and wait and see if the FU offers a bonus after a few months months. If they don't the worse part is you have both.
Also I did max out on Amazon last year. Only because I was going to buy it anyway and getting home delivery was a plus. So I think there's room for both.
If no, then the FC in the short term gives you more and after 1 year you can switch to the FU card. Also you could get the FC now and wait and see if the FU offers a bonus after a few months months. If they don't the worse part is you have both.
Also I did max out on Amazon last year. Only because I was going to buy it anyway and getting home delivery was a plus. So I think there's room for both.
Mar 18, 2016, 12:12 pm
#134
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 530
Yes, yes, of course but granted I'm past 5/24 and I got the message I did, I think it is a fair to say I got denied.
Mar 18, 2016, 3:02 pm
#135
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 172
The only thing I haven't seen is does the FU have a sign up bonus? I may have missed it because I only come in here every 2-3 days.
If no, then the FC in the short term gives you more and after 1 year you can switch to the FU card. Also you could get the FC now and wait and see if the FU offers a bonus after a few months months. If they don't the worse part is you have both.
Also I did max out on Amazon last year. Only because I was going to buy it anyway and getting home delivery was a plus. So I think there's room for both.
If no, then the FC in the short term gives you more and after 1 year you can switch to the FU card. Also you could get the FC now and wait and see if the FU offers a bonus after a few months months. If they don't the worse part is you have both.
Also I did max out on Amazon last year. Only because I was going to buy it anyway and getting home delivery was a plus. So I think there's room for both.
The only category i ever max out is the amazon one
Last edited by mia; Mar 18, 2016 at 3:19 pm Reason: Combine consecutive replies