Which do you all like better Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom unlimited

[Anonymous]

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@CatOfSpades wrote:

I also didn't find the rotating categories valuable at all, but it depends on where you use it...

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Interesting that you couldn't find use for any of the 5% categories.  Do you have other cards that already give 5%+ on those categories or something? 

[pinkandgrey]

I had the FU but not the Freedom. My weird personality liked the straightforward rewards that never change. Categories aren’t my favorite. Besides I already have my Disco for that. Another option would be to have both if you like tracking spending/categories. 

[longtimelurker]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@fritscher wrote:
Thank you all. What are some of the categories for chase freedom 5%?

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Q2 2019 is grocery stores and home improvement

From TPG (and I know the 2012/2013 section is either off or incomplete):

For reference, here are the previous Chase Freedom quarterly categories all the way back through 2012:
Year/Quarter Bonus Categories

2019 – Q1 Gas stations, drug stores, tolls
2018 – Q4 Wholesale clubs, department stores, Chase Pay
2018 – Q3 Lyft, Walgreens, gas stations
2018 – Q2 Groceries, PayPal, Chase Pay
2018 – Q1 Mobile wallets, gas stations, internet, cable and phone service merchants
2017 – Q4 Walmart, department stores
2017 – Q3 Restaurants, movie theaters
2017 – Q2 Grocery stores, drug stores
2017 – Q1 Gas stations, local commuter transportation
2016 – Q4 Wholesale clubs, drug stores, department stores
2016 – Q3 Restaurants, wholesale clubs
2016 – Q2 Grocery stores, wholesale clubs
2016 – Q1 Gas stations, local commuter transportation
2015 – Q4 Amazon.com, Zappos.com, Audible.com, Diapers,com
2015 – Q3 Gas stations, Kohl’s
2015 – Q2 Restaurants, Bed Bath & Beyond, H&M, Overstock.com
2015 – Q1 Grocery stores, movie theaters, Starbucks
2014 – Q4 Amazon.com, Zappos.com, department stores
2014 – Q3 Gas stations, Kohl’s
2014 – Q2 Restaurants, Lowe’s
2014 – Q1 Gas stations, movie theaters, Starbucks
2013 – Q4 Department stores, Amazon.com
2012 – Q3 Gas stations, theme parks, Kohl’s
2012 – Q2 Restaurants, movie theaters
2012 – Q1 Gas stations, drug stores, Starbucks

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Needs the disclaimer about past performance not..... etc!

[longtimelurker]

As others have suggested, really the first question is whether you plan to have a CSP/CSR/Ink.    If not, then the FU really is not worthwhile, just a flat 1.5% with FTF etc.   With the CSR the equation changes, as it's worth at least 2.25% when used for travel through the portal, and with any of the transfer cards, potentially worth more if you can get good award pricing.

So without the transfer cards, Freedom is better (assuming you have a 2% card) as you can probably find a way to use the 5% categories at some time.

But if you are into travel via URs, then certainly it makes sense to get both.

[Credit-hoarder]

I just closed my 5 y/o CF yesterday (see specific reasons here--https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Chase-Freedom-5-y-o-Closed-A-Data-Point/td-p/5569873) but am toying with the idea trying the FU for a year as my general non-business spend card since they raised the offer to 3% for one year so I can give my  2 Ventures, DC and Fidelity cards a rest for a while--also to build up pts in the UR system since I'll have a good head start with the 50k ($500) SUB on the CIB.  Just wish they hadn't dropped the sub for the FU in trade for the 3% offer.

[fritscher]

Wow thank you. Another question. I do have chase saphire preferred. What is the benefitvif having that with freedom?

[Credit-hoarder]

Not speaking from experience--but apparently if you transfer Freedom or FU (or INK) UR pts. over to a Sapphire card and use them for travel through Chase's portal--the value increases an extra 25%. I.E. 100K pts becomes 125K pts.

[sarge12]

BBS, I also found the catagories useless, and the FU is as well. Chase Amazon Prime card gets me 5% on amazon, American Express Blue Cash preferred gets 6% on groceries, 3% on gas. All the other saving on the chase freedom catagories is almost duplicated on discover it. Citi Double cash gives me 2% on everything. That Amazon Prime card gets lots of use.

[sarge12]

I pc'd the freedom because I was never using it, so I pc'd it to freedom unlimited, now I have a freedom unlimited card that I never use. I really can't explain why I thought that might be better with a citi doublecash card in my wallet.

[Credit-hoarder]

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@sarge12 wrote:

BBS, I also found the catagories useless, and the FU is as well. Chase Amazon Prime card gets me 5% on amazon, American Express Blue Cash preferred gets 6% on groceries, 3% on gas. All the other saving on the chase freedom catagories is almost duplicated on discover it. Citi Double cash gives me 2% on everything. That Amazon Prime card gets lots of use.

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I agree with you--I can get 3-4-and 5% gas, groceries, and restaurants on some of my other cards also even wo the Disco card in most cases.
Just out of curiosity Sarge: Would you find FU useless still--even with the recent 3% offer?