Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
No annual fee
vs
$95
Base Rewards
1.5%
vs
1x
Sign-Up Bonus
$200
vs
$750
Editor Score
8/10
vs
9/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 2/6 | 4/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | No annual fee★ Lowest | $95✗ Highest |
| Purchase APR | 20.49% – 29.24% | 21.49% – 28.49% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Foreign Txn Fee | 3%✗ Highest | None★ Lowest |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% | 5% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Cashback | Points |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1.5%★ Highest | 1x✗ Lowest |
| Bonus Categories | 5% Travel (Chase) · 3% Dining · 3% Drugstores | 5x Travel (Chase) · 3x Dining · 3x Online Groceries |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 value✗ Lowest | $750 value★ Highest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Good (670-749) | Excellent (750+) |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Everyday spending with no annual fee | Frequent travelers who dine out often |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.6 / 5✗ Lowest | 4.7 / 5★ Highest |
| Editor Score | 8 / 10✗ Lowest | 9 / 10★ Highest |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our verdict: Too close to call
The Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee) and the Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/year) compete on different axes. The Chase Freedom Unlimited's strongest category is 5% on Travel (Chase), while the Chase Sapphire Preferred leads with 5x on Travel (Chase). The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95 more per year, so you need at least $95 in incremental rewards to justify it over the Chase Freedom Unlimited. At typical spend levels this breaks even somewhere between $2,850 and $5,700 in bonus-category purchases annually. Our model scores these cards effectively even (3-2). Pick the Chase Freedom Unlimited if you spend heavily on travel (chase); pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you spend heavily on travel (chase).
Too close to call — pick based on your primary spending category
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | no annual fee | $95/year |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.5% on everything | 1x on everything |
| Top Bonus Category | 5% on Travel (Chase) | 5x on Travel (Chase) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 after spending $500 in 3 months | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% | 0% (none) |
| Credit Score Required | good | excellent |
Green checkmark indicates the card that leans stronger on that dimension. Our scoring model evaluates these quantitatively — your specific needs may shift the answer.
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Common Questions
Which is better: Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
It depends on your spending habits. The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and earns 1.5% base rewards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee while the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Both cards are issued by Chase, so check their application rules. Some issuers limit the number of cards you can hold simultaneously or have waiting periods between applications.