The Chase Freedom Unlimited (see rates and fees) is a good newbie bank card. It earns at the very least 1.5% money again on all purchases, that means it could nonetheless present worth to your pockets even after you have opened numerous other cards.
Because of its flexibility, it could work nicely in tandem with many bank cards, even these not issued by Chase. Listed below are a few of my favourite selections for playing cards to pair with the Freedom Limitless.
Unlock the Freedom Limitless’s full potential
By itself, the Freedom Unlimited is a robust card, however if you wish to really maximize it, you will must accomplice it with one in all Chase’s higher-tier choices:
By combining the rewards you earn on the Freedom Limitless with these you earn on one of many playing cards I simply talked about, you can transfer them to Chase’s 13 partners for optimum worth.
The Sapphire Most well-liked and Sapphire Reserve are seemingly the very best selections for most individuals, since they provide compelling advantages that justify their annual charges with out the necessity for a separate side hustle or business.
This is a fast breakdown of what these playing cards supply.
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked
The Sapphire Preferred simply makes up for its $95 annual price with its easy record of advantages, offered you should utilize them organically.
This is the card I use to energy up my very own Freedom Limitless. I spend on my Sapphire Most well-liked to earn bonus rewards on eating, choose journey and on-line groceries (excluding Walmart and Goal), whereas my Freedom Limitless is useful for normal purchases that are not lined by bonus classes.
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I additionally reap the benefits of my Sapphire Most well-liked’s complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2027) to make up for greater than my card’s annual price. A DashPass membership prices $9.99 per thirty days, or $96 for the annual plan, that means I come out within the inexperienced every year.
Then, once I’m able to redeem my factors for journey, I mix all the rewards I’ve earned and ship them off.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Reserve
In the event you really feel prepared for a premium journey card, the Sapphire Reserve might make extra sense for you than the Sapphire Most well-liked.
In case your present spending habits are a superb match for the Sapphire Reserve’s advantages, I like to recommend pairing it with the Freedom Limitless. Use your Sapphire Reserve for purchases that earn inside its bonus classes or set off an announcement credit score, and your Freedom Limitless for different purchases.
Whereas it boasts a hefty $795 annual fee, it options an appealing array of benefits to assist cardholders justify that, together with:
- Entry to Chase’s Sapphire lounges
- Priority Pass lounge membership
- As much as $500 every year in assertion credit for luxurious resort bookings made with The Edit
- Extremely versatile $300 travel credit
- As much as $300 in assertion credit every year for eating purchases made by way of Sapphire Unique Tables on OpenTable
- As much as $300 in assertion credit for StubHub and Viagogo purchases (by way of Dec. 31, 2027; activation required)
To be taught extra, take a look at our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Complement the Freedom Limitless with the Freedom Flex
The very first duo I took benefit of in my pockets was the Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees).
In the event you do not feel able to pay an annual price with a purpose to give your Freedom Limitless a lift, this can be a nice possibility. The Freedom Flex’s declare to fame is its rotating quarterly categories. Cardholders can earn 5% money again on these classes every quarter they activate (on as much as $1,500 in mixed spending, then 1% again).
Chase typically options well-liked spending classes on the Freedom Flex, together with at gasoline stations and gymnasiums and with PayPal. This profit expands your means to earn important rewards past the Freedom Limitless’s classes for eating and drugstores.
Simply remember the fact that you will nonetheless want the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or one other eligible Chase Final Rewards points-earning card to switch your rewards to journey companions.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full review of the Freedom Flex.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex
Open your pockets to different issuers
The Freedom Unlimited is a good gateway into Chase, however I all the time advocate diversifying your pockets with playing cards from different issuers as nicely. Fortunately, the Freedom Limitless is straightforward to pair with most playing cards from different banks. Listed below are two of my favourite suggestions.
American Categorical Gold
My first foray after opening Chase playing cards was into American Express with the American Express® Gold Card. Whereas the Freedom Limitless earns 3% money again on eating, the Amex Gold affords a stronger 4 factors per greenback spent charge (on as much as $50,000 of eating purchases worldwide every calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback spent).
The Freedom Limitless does not supply a bonus class for groceries, so the Amex Gold can lend a serving to hand. The Amex Gold earns 4 factors per greenback spent on U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 of spending every calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback spent).
Understand that the Amex Gold carries a $325 annual price (see rates and fees), but it surely affords assertion credit to more than make up for that. Among the best of those affords as much as $50 biannually for purchases made at Resy-affiliated U.S. restaurants. (Enrollment is required.)
To be taught extra, take a look at our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards
Whereas the opposite playing cards I’ve really helpful lean on the Freedom Limitless’s 1.5% money again charge to complement their bonus classes, the script is flipped with this pairing.
The Venture Rewards earns at the very least 2 miles per greenback spent on purchases, which is best than what the Freedom Limitless affords. Because the Enterprise Rewards lacks bonus classes for eating and drugstores, the Freedom Limitless can complement with its 3% money again charges in each classes.
The Enterprise Rewards has a $95 annual price, the identical because the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Deciding between the Sapphire Most well-liked and the Enterprise Rewards comes right down to which issuer’s transfer partners you prefer.
Bear in mind: With out the Sapphire Most well-liked (or one other eligible Chase card), you will not be capable of switch your Freedom Limitless’s rewards to Chase’s journey companions.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full review of the Venture Rewards.
Be taught extra: Capital One Venture Rewards
Backside line
I usually use my very own Freedom Unlimited with my Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold to get essentially the most factors from my spending. This manner, I will transfer extra rapidly towards my private journey targets.
The Freedom Limitless is at its finest when paired with the suitable card. Whether or not you determine to open one or a number of of the playing cards talked about on this information, you will be nicely in your strategy to getting essentially the most out of your Freedom Limitless.
Associated: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Maximize your earnings with 3 cards
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold, please click on here.
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