My HONEST Review Of The Chase Freedom Unlimited (After 2.5 Years)

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

🎥 If you want to see how I personally started the credit card game, watch this video next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4unl2pmicZsoLc

[@jimmyjames6492]

50/50 on the Freedom/Ink Unlimited. 1.5X is about the best you're getting with Chase though for non-category spend. A 2X Chase card would be a game changer. Thanks for the info + video!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I completely get that! The bonus on the CIU is much better than the CFU theoretically. It all depends on when you apply and how you'd use each. Thanks for watching as always man!

[@fortvne9268]

Spencer, this is a great video. I've been looking into a good first Chase card and have been lost of the sea of sponsored ads and promotions to find anything solid. Thank you for this great video that helps explain everything!

[@MattClausen]

I wave on this card all the time. I think it's the "3x Dining EVERYWHERE" blinds me to it. Though I still think I'd love this card more as a flat 2x earner with UR points especially with Hyatt. Awesome breakdown as always man!

[@jwil4286]

yeah. i'd be fine with getting rid of the 3x categories if they upped it to 2x

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I know how you feel! I do wish they'd raise that base earnings a bit, but I guess they still haven't felt enough pressure to do so yet. I just always need more Chase points so this card is still one I use pretty regularly.

[@joemama69448]

I got mine in 2014ish. Roughly 10 years now and it's still my every day carry card.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

That's awesome!! It's such a straightforward card that always gives positive value, so I can see why it's still a staple for you!

[@fogrunr5075]

Oh yes it is! Sapphire Reserve makes it 2.25X 😄😄🎉🎉

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Great point!! Very true.

[@pishposh4506]

I earned almost $60,000 points my first year with the unlimited. And the bonus I had was 5% back on gas for the first year and $200 back after $500 spent in the first 3 months

[@34skyline]

I had my unlimited since 2016, it's a keeper

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Pretty easy value for sure!

[@sjg6158]

Combining it with a Sapphire Card makes sense for the redemption value. It's a decent catch-all card. I prefer the Freedom Flex.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Absolutely! I personally always forget to use rotating category cards, so I prefer the CFU, but if you utilize those 5x categories on the Flex it can return quite a bit of points for sure.

[@jwil4286]

personally, I think Chase needs to do some things to make the whole trifecta more valuable: CFU - make a flat 2x card (if this means removing categories, that's fine too) CSP - make the online grocery multiplier apply to all grocery, add a gas category (perhaps replace dining) CFF - get more creative with 5x rotating categories (some [the Amazon and PayPal for example] are already good, but leaving gas and grocery for that is rather lazy)

[@geraldalves9107]

Would love for the CFF to go the mobile wallet route for a quarter like Discover did last year

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

If I had a contact at Chase, I'd send this their way 😆 I'd love to see these changes!

[@headlibrarian1996]

Turning the CFU into a BBP would be a great change. I’d love to see that on the Ink Unlimited too. I’m not sure that I’d get rid of dining on the CSP if only because the CSP has no foreign transaction fee so it’s good for international travel and the Freedoms aren’t. In the unlikely event Chase got rid of the FTF on the Freedoms, perhaps as a bonus benefit for owning a Sapphire or Ink Preferred, then yeah, drop it since it’s redundant with the Freedom’s dining. Making grocery a real category is a good idea, though I see grocery as more of a Freedom category than a Sapphire one, since I don’t think grocery gets much use traveling.

[@rmknicks]

I'm on my second CFU but will probably sock drawer it when the 5X for groceries is over with in August since I'll still be using the VX as my catch-all. Another great video, Spencer!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Those welcome bonus periods could be HUGE for you, especially if you grab the 5% back on gas and groceries for a year. I should honestly consider doing that whole product change and reapply cycle for that alone. Thanks for watching man!

[@JakeVanderPloeg]

Such a good card for somebody trying to get decent value but that’s not trying to be a sweat. Great video Spencer

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Hahah that's a great way to put it man. Thanks for being here as always!

[@JakeVanderPloeg]

@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial Absolutely! Looking forward to the livestream coming up!

[@alberttseng8291]

I have the United Gateway, that card is getting me about 2.54 per mile from Seattle to Taipei on Eva Air

[@JLGMoney]

The freedom unlimited was my first Chase card but definetley won't be the last! Got the ink unlimited in December and looking to get the flex, ink cash, and preferred all this year!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I love to hear it!! I'm right there with you though.. I'm up to 5 UR point earning cards but still want more!

[@scalley]

A note regarding the possibility of getting multiple freedom bonuses - the two year time period applies to the date you initially completed the bonus for the card, NOT the date of your account opening.

[@carloshidalgo3298]

I had my Chase Freedom since 2017, could I cancel it and apply for another one and does it affect credit by doing that?

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Ahhh great note! I forgot to mention that here, but you're correct based on data points I've seen. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@user-wc5lw7ps6h1]

I think it's a great card to open as a first card for catch all, then product change down the road to the Freedom Flex when you have a better 2%+ catch all

[@davidhoopsfan]

the CFU is pretty solid. my wishlist for the card would be for it to behave it like the citi rewards + for all the chase cards you have (i suppose to incentivize you getting more chase cards which i think they would want). the result would be something along the lines of: 1.65x catch all 3.3x dining, non portal travel (CSR) 5.5x rotating categories 11x lyft (CSR) and tbh that doesn't look all too bad to me but yeah too bad chase doesn't seem all too incentivized to improve their personal cards at the moment

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I agree! That would be nice if they made those changes or even just raised that 1.5x misc. category to 2x. Maybe we'll live to see the day they do that 🤷🏼‍♂

[@Anthonydr]

I mainly got it to get into the chase ecosystem. Once I’m under 5/24 I plan on getting CSP to unlock the transfer partners

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

That's a great way to do it! The CFU + CSP is a solid duo.

[@nubianpwr]

This was very good Spencer👍🏾 The card only makes sense for me if I have the CSR - which I do. My current international travel patterns dictate that the Amex MR points system is more valuable. I use the UR points for domestic only.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Thanks so much! I completely get where you're coming from. I think it's a great card to have if you're in the Chase ecosystem, but less so if not.

[@elliottnixon-wq6sp]

The card’s value is bolted to chase’s eco system. If UR points are top priority, it’s a good catch all. I reckon most people get your point totals you mentioned in this vid but do it through spending on a select few cards like this one whereas you make up the difference through referral bonuses if that makes sense.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

You're definitely not wrong! I think my numbers are likely a good bit lower than the normal person using this card though, mainly because they may only have 2-3 cards and use this for a bulk of their purchases. Don't forget, we're the weird ones here with a ton of credit cards and optimizing every possible category we can 😆

[@lotto5742]

Just got approved for this card with an $8100 CL. Just got under the 5/24 rule last month.

[@aaront936]

Cfu=2.25 cpp base value with the csr. Its the ultimate catch all card

[@red2977]

I have all the freedom cards. I keep this card for the average age of accounts and to help credit util. i have the venture x for non bonus spend and on the business side I have amex business plus that gives me 2 pts per dollar. Still if I really needed chase points on unbonused spend I guess it could make it back into rotation but the no AF is why it sticks around for me.

[@CarlozN]

I love your content as always. Informative and very entertaining! Keep it up Mr. Johnson!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Thank you so much Carloz! That means a lot!

[@ramonsuarez1051]

I think CFU is overrated. My wife has the card, and I will have her keep it because she is not an optimizer like me. If you're an optimizer this card is underwhelming. I would rather get 2X on an Amex, Citi, or Capital One card. The other multipliers are meaningless to me because they are overlapped by other Chase cards.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I'd say that's a very fair assessment of it! It all just depends on the person using it of course. Most people are less involved in the credit card game than us optimizers, and for them, I think it's really solid, especially being in that Chase ecosystem. But for those of us who have tons of cards, it becomes a bit less useful for sure.

[@Jiggy609]

What Amex card gives 2x catch all with no AF lmao

[@Anthonydr]

@@Jiggy609Blue Business Plus upto $50k spend

[@ab3040]

It's $0 tho

[@ebbss4]

It’s beginner card is it not? You’re not gonna get much from a card with no annual fee

[@joshuang3919]

Will you also do a vid on the Freedom Flex? I'm somewhat new to the credit card game and am trying to see how I should prioritize which cards I should get given my spending habits and circumstance. The Freedom Flex is one of few I'm iffy about when it comes to applying now as opposed to waiting until the next time I am back under 5/24. Great vid btw!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I've covered it in detail in the past if you want to look through some of the older videos! Specifically my Chase trifecta ones. These X year review videos are only for cards I have personally, and I don't have the CFF (just the OG Chase Freedom) so the reviews I've done of the CFF during those Chase trifecta vids are probably your best bet right now.

[@kingstonsamuels]

Hey guys! I am 18 years young, and I am closing in on just 6 months of credit history with a score of about 725. My question is should I apply to this card and does applying for credit cards decrease or affect credit score at all?

[@zackpryor6063]

Could you still get the $200 bonus and 5% back on gas?

[@msftvsn9349]

What card do you recommend for someone who doesn’t travel a lot

[@nowayjose1313]

I spend my entire paycheck with having a big family. I use this card for everything and the amount of points on this video per year is what I get per month. If you use this card for everything and pay it back in time, you get hundreds of dollars in cash back per year.

[@Cody.Little]

Definitely a solid beginner card! In my case, I don’t have the CFU as I have the Venture X and can usually find a decent redemption with transfer partners. Also with my brain, just knowing I can be earning more points with a 2x forces me to. I’d feel like I’m missing out on points otherwise 😂 I do have the CFF and the 5x categories are 🔥

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I agree with you Cody! That 1.5x compared to 2x is something a lot of folks can't stomach losing out on. I just always need more Chase points, so that's my best option for the misc. category personally. I wish I was better at using those 5x categories on my OG CF though! Those points could rack up quick!

[@chadpennycuff]

IMHO - the question is 1.5x on CFU vs the simplicity of the 1.1x on a CSP (remember that annual 10% bonus). For my P2, the answer is to keep it simple. She does well in managing a CSP and OG Freedom, and I'm not going to ask her to manage a 3rd card for a .4x catch-all bump. For serious point-and-mile players like myself, managing multiple Chase cards and multiple ecosystems is inevitable. It is 1000% worth keeping a CFU when you need to pivot and earn more UR points. C1VX and CFU rotate in and out of my wallet depending on what points I need to replenish. For my personal redemption habits, 1.5x UR points are worth more than 2x C1 miles. (Unless I'm trying to pay for a Disney Cruise with a C1 travel eraser at 1 CPP cause Disney Cruises aren't available in any card portal.)

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

That's a very interesting point! I completely get where you're coming from. I generally have beginners start with this card and then add the CSP later unless they really like the rotating category cards, so that's a slightly different way to go about it. But it sounds like you and I use this card very similarly in combo with the VX which is great to see. Thanks for the insightful comment Chad!

[@JacobsPointsAndProfit]

The $0 annual fee makes it an easy keeper card, but it wouldn’t make sense for me to keep reapplying for Freedom cards every 2 years because of Chase 5/24

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

That's fair enough! That's exactly why I haven't reapplied myself haha.

[@druiz012]

Good strategy on the CFU. Right now though I'm itching for C1 miles.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Thanks man!! If I were in your shoes, I'd swap back to my VX for everything. I still use it here and there, but mainly use the CFU first cuz I'm always low on Chase points.

[@boondoggle4820]

I have this card and don’t plan on closing it unless it’s to apply for another CFU to get the better welcome offer, and I used this card as my catchall for quite a while, but at the moment I’m prioritizing cash back over travel, so I’m using the Bread 2% cash back card as my catchall card. At some point I’ll begin to prioritize travel more once again, and at that point I’ll go back to mostly using the CFU as my catchall card.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

You and I use it in a very similar way it sounds like! When I need more Chase points, I use the CFU. When I need more Cap1 miles, I use the VX. Pretty solid approach IMO!

[@CallMeLani]

Great lighting!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Thanks so much Lani!! I just bought one of these lights recently, so this comment made that all worth it haha.

[@CallMeLani]

Is it the Amaran/Apurtue tube lights?@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial

[@headlibrarian1996]

The real competition to this card isn’t a Double Cash, it’s a 5% cash back card, including the Custom Cash. You can get almost all of your miscellaneous spending at 5%, which is better than 3cpp for the 1.5x UR on a Freedom Unlimited. Especially so since 3cpp for your UR is hard to obtain with regularity. The 3x UR dining and drug stores categories at 2cpp _is_ better than a 5% cash back card but for most only the former will get significant spending.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I can see where you're coming from, but it all depends on the person getting the cards. One Citi Custom Cash alone would only cover 1 of your misc categories, and to get more than 1, you'd have to have multiple Citi cards that are over a year old before PCing. And to make that 5% back worth more, you'd need the Citi Premier which a lot of folks don't do. But I can definitely see the argument that the Citi Trifecta is better than Chase for the right person!

[@headlibrarian1996]

@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial I do have a Custom Cash, it’s certainly very nice as a gas or groceries card. If you want to pursue a 5% cash-back setup to squeeze the last penny out of misc spending you’d have to get 4-5 cards outside the Chase/Citi/Amex axis. US Bank, Elan, and obscure credit unions like Redstone. Bank of America, if you’re ok with parking $100k at Merrill Lynch. Some of the most desirable CU cash-back cards are hard geofenced, but if you live in the right area they’re gold. Sadly, I don’t live near any of them. A Freedom Unlimited is certainly a lot simpler, and not as consumptive of 5/24 space.

[@shekchhetri4907]

When you reapply do you close out your old account or what do you ?

[@Brianpeckin]

I got the freedom flex few weeks ago. Maybe a little longer over the 524 rule

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Heck yeah man, that's awesome! Congrats on the new card.

[@ugoewulonu4936]

Does the CFU still offer 5X on groceries for the first year?

[@BobI-jb4rk]

sometimes I wonder if my CFU thinks I'm worth the hype

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Hahah these are the real questions we should be asking.

[@shadana7238]

Can you do a video on you ranking your credit cards from your fave to your least fave? I know that all the. cards you have were on your roadmap but I'm wondering if there is one card that exceeded you expectations or one that is really not worth the hype. Or did I miss a video like that?

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

That's a great idea! I haven't made a video like that just yet, so I'll definitely add that to my list.

[@Anrex_Bk]

will I get 5x with freedom unlimited at Costco?

[@runforrestrun2428]

So after 2 years can you open another chase freedom card and get the welcome offer?

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Basically yes. I tried to explain the intricacies of that in this one cuz it's not exactly as simple as that. You just need to be sure you're not holding the card you're reapplying for. Also remember that the Flex and Unlimited are considered separate products so you can get the bonus on BOTH every two years.

[@runforrestrun2428]

@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial I think I’m going to do that with my flex one and product change to the og freedom and apply

[@woodzy883]

This is a card i wished i picked up a long time ago. That being said i gardening way down this year, maybing picking up a couple of businesses so if that double all point offer comes back i will quickly grab that up. Otherwise now i can just save it for when i have nothing better to pick up and want to work to a bonus next year. I have something for an interim card

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Getting it early game is definitely key! If you can get it now during one of those awesome promo periods, that would be pretty huge though. I can see myself doing the whole product change/reapply cycle for the same reasons as you listed here though. It just all depends on what my velocity is looking like.

[@scottshapiro2795]

Do you know the particulars of getting multiple welcome offers? Can I product change today and apply for a new card tomorrow? Or is there some sort of waiting period? Same thing if you cancel and then reapply. Is there a waiting period?

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I've read that it's good to wait at least a week before reapplying, but I've never done it myself so I can't personally confirm. I probably would wait at least 3 or so business days, but there's no exact number to my knowledge. Maybe someone who's done it can share their data points though!

[@Just_Stevo]

I prefer the Citi Trifecta. It has much better multipliers.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I get that for sure! I'd say it has the best combo of multipliers but in a bit of a weaker ecosystem for the everyday user.

[@fixagent81]

Is this card a good gas credit card? From what I read you can use it at Costco is this correct?

[@HeartDrivenFinance]

Yes. This is the card I always use at Costco since I can’t use my AmEx there. They only accept Visa

[@Abdurrahman-zl7pm]

I've been waiting for this one, great video!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnwick860]

hi Spence, for the Hyatt Business $50 hotel credit... can you book 2 separate rooms on same dates & claim two $50 hotel credit? any data point? thanks

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

That is a great question. Since they'd be 2 separate transactions, I don't see why not... although, I haven't tried it personally or heard of DPs in that regard.

[@walkingmiracles9706]

whats best travel catch all card?

[@shawn.credit]

It will always be a solid card with no AF!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Absolutely!

[@carloshidalgo3298]

I currently have a chase freedom card, hard it since 2017. I didn’t know I can cancel card and get bonus after every 2 years, but does that affect my credit by doing that every year and I have 15,000 pts on card, would I lose them if I cancel card ???

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I would recommend product changing it before cancelling it, that way you keep that account active including its history, credit limit, etc. If it was your only Chase card, I'd assume you'd lose those points if you cancelled it. However, if you have other Chase cards or product change this one instead, you'll keep them no problem.

[@alannmoh]

So what’s better the unlimited or flex?

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I have a video that I made at the very start of my channel discussing just that! I say why not get both though... if you HAD to pick one, I'd go with the one that gives you more positive value every year based on your top spending categories.

[@Mattmckd]

A great intro card to the chase portal!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Agreed! Getting started with it early on is a great way to do it.

[@vickiarnold7300]

Great video❤

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Thank you Vicki!

[@Tony_Laf7]

Best everyday credit card imo

[@aaronqueen55]

If you’re accumulating chase UR, get the ink business cash. Use this to get gift cards at office supply stores like Office Depot and staples when they offer no fees on the visa or Mastercard gift cards. This gives you 5X so just use those cards on everyday purchases. That makes everything 5X.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

It's definitely an easy one to use and you don't have to think much about it! That's what I enjoy about it, especially for beginners.

[@KingGreen78]

I never use this card,but i still use the flex

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Once you have a lot of cards, the CFU becomes less useful compared to the flex for sure. As long as you can utilize those rotating categories of course.

[@nahdeercd8132]

Can you do a review on your girlfriend chase credit card since being a cardholder?

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Unfortunately we are actually no longer together, but I have a lot of buddies who I got started in the Chase credit card game, so maybe I could bring one of them on!!

[@trenchbais4001]

I love my CFU.

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Same here man!

[@AhmadKhwajazada]

Wow KZbin did me dirty again 😅

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

They don't want you to win!! 🤣🥉

[@SOXGATORS]

👍🏻

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

You're awesome! 🥈

[@isao_the_2nd]

⁠@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial 8:18 i'd argue that the venture x does a better job with online shopping, thanks to Capital One offering the virtual credit card number technology

[@ReconPro]

1st ❤😊

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

Dang, look at you!! Coming in for the first place finish! 👑

[@caribdude8151]

😊

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

👊🏼