I want to PC my Slate because now that the balance transfer is done the card basically has no value. But, I plan to give it some spend as I try to get Chase to increase my limit as high as whatever bucket I'm in will allow.
I could go either way -- Freedom and it's rotating categories or Unlimited with its 1.5% and no cap. Total coin toss.
So other than the obvious, is there anything to know about either of these cards that might make choosing easier?
Also, for those who have seen and handled both, is one less ugly than the other? I know, I know, it's shallow. But both cards have such a cheap looking design I figured if one looked better than the other it might help break the tie.
@longtimelurker wrote:Do you think you will at some point get a transfer card (CSP/CSR/Ink)? If not, the Freedom Unlimited is no better than your existing Quicksilver, and so you may as well get the Freedom in case you can make use of the 5% categories. If you do plan to get a transfer card, it's a little less obvious (especially with rumoured changes) but it's probably easier to go for the Freedom anyway for now, and maybe add the FU if you get heavily into the UR eco system
No, I won't be getting a travel-based transfer card as I don't travel enough to justify the annual fees. I've already thought ahead to a time when I might need a balance transfer card, and when and if that happens I'll jump on the Citi Diamond Preferred and its 21 months at 0%. I'd like to get into Citi and partake of their high-limit love.
However, I won't be doing any new cards until my youngest (10 months) gets over 2 years. My AAoA is already in the drink and I don't want to make it worse.
What's the UR eco system?
Great comments, guys. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
I think I'll go with the Freedom since yeah, at least I can get something out of the 5% categories -- I am good at keeping track of such things as I maximize my It every quarter. Watch Chase be on the same category rotation as Disco...
What? No one wanted to weigh in on card aesthetics? 
@wasCB14 wrote:Ultimate Rewards "URs" are the reward currency that Freedom and Freedom Unlimited earn. On their own, the points can only be redeemed as cash back or gift cards.
If you have an annual fee card that earns URs, there are a few travel redemption methods that can potentially give greater value per point.
It's a very popular rewards program, and you can find a lot of discussion if you search through old threads.
Got it. Thanks for the explanation.
I just got off the phone with Chase and succesfully PC'd to Freedom. The CSR tried to talk me into a Sapphire Preferred. LOL Maybe they get a bonus in their paycheck for getting people to pay the AF but not get the sign-up bonus.
@Anonymous wrote:
Yeah without a Sapphire the Freedom Unlimited is no better than your Quicksilver in terms of rewards.
But FYI bro the sapphire preferred waives the annual fee the first year, the 50k sign up bonus is pretty easy to hit, and most importantly after the 12th month once the fee drops you can call and PC your Sapphire to a no annual fee card like another freedom and get the fee refunded so basically free sapphire for a year. During that year move all your cash back from the freedom to the sapphire and take all your points and either transfer them to a travel partner that makes sense for you or cash them all out: even if you don't use them for travel and end up just cashing out, you'll still get huge value with the sapphire preferred for 1 year cuz of the 50k sign up bonus - even as cash back that's $500 back on $4000 spend.
All that sounds fantastic except that you don't get the SUB when you PC. So I'd just be paying the AF for nothin'.