Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: An overview
Why you might want the Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a great option for travelers who want valuable rewards and a low annual fee.
You’ll earn the same number of points for Chase Travel purchases as the Freedom Unlimited, but since those points are worth more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, this card is of better value. With 2x points for other travel purchases, you can earn more for all your hotel, rental car, flight and cruise bookings.
Although the Sapphire Preferred comes with a $95 fee, it will save you money on foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally. The included $50 annual hotel credit and high travel insurance coverage limits also help offset the cost.
▶︎ Learn more: Chase Sapphire Preferred review
Why you might want Freedom Unlimited instead
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card increases your earning potential for everyday purchases. It earns 1.5% for most purchases, which is more than the Sapphire Preferred card’s 1x earning rate. Redeeming the rewards for cash back is easy, and you can always choose from its other redemption options.
Although the Freedom Unlimited comes with more limited travel insurance, it’s adequate for occasional travelers. The lack of an annual fee is another nice perk.
▶︎ Learn more: Chase Freedom Unlimited review
Does it make sense to have both cards?
Can’t decide between Freedom Unlimited vs. Sapphire Preferred? You might not have to — you can maximize reward value by getting both Chase cards.
By pooling the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you earn from both cards and redeeming them using your Sapphire Preferred card, you can benefit from the higher redemption value in Chase Travel. It’s an effective way to maximize earnings and value for both everyday and travel purchases.
However, if you don’t anticipate making travel bookings through Chase, this strategy might not be the right fit.
▶︎ Learn more: What is the Chase Trifecta?
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Welcome bonus
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Sapphire Preferred card comes with a welcome bonus of 60,000 points if you spend at least $4,000 within three months.
Points are worth 25% when redeemed through Chase Travel, so you can get more than $750 worth of flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars or activities — a solid bonus offer if you’re currently planning a trip or you’re a frequent traveler. You can also redeem them for cash or gift cards, but they’ll be worth just $600.
If you’re not a traveler, you might prefer the (admittedly more modest) welcome bonus offered with Freedom Unlimited.
With this card, you’ll get a 1.5% bump on all earning categories for the first $20,000 spent in the first year. That means you can earn 6.5% back on Chase Travel, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% on all other purchases. This has the potential to be worth up to $300 — not bad for a card with no annual fee. You can also use them in Chase Travel, but you won’t get the 25% boost.
Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome offer: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening.
Chase Freedom Unlimited welcome offer: 1.5% bump on all earning categories for the first $20,000 spent in the first year.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Rewards
Winner: Sapphire Preferred
With its variety of elevated earnings categories, increased redemption value and anniversary bonus, the Sapphire Preferred is the better rewards card. However, these perks have the biggest benefits for travelers who are willing to spend points through Chase Travel. If that’s not you, the Freedom Unlimited card is a solid offering.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Earning rewards
If a significant percentage of your spending goes toward travel, the Sapphire Preferred is the better choice. You’ll get 5 points for every dollar you spend in Chase Travel, and every other travel purchase earns 2 points. Plus, restaurant and online grocery orders will earn 3 points per dollar.
Here’s the kicker: Each year, Chase will give you 10% of the amount you spent the previous year in points. If you spend $50,000, you’ll get 5,000 points as an anniversary bonus.
For more varied spending habits, the Freedom Unlimited brings more value. It earns 1.5% cash back for things outside of travel and restaurants, which is a better deal than the 1x points for the Sapphire Preferred. You’ll also get 3% cash back if you’re buying drugstore medications.
Chase Sapphire Preferred:
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5x points for bookings in Chase Travel
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2x points for other travel purchases
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3x points for restaurants, certain streaming services and online grocery shopping (excluding Walmart and Target)
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1x points for all other purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited:
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5% for bookings through Chase Travel
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3% on restaurants and drugstores
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1.5% on other eligible purchases
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Redeeming rewards
The Sapphire Preferred is the winner in the rewards-redemption category for one key reason: your points are worth 25% more when you spend them in Chase Travel.
That means every point is worth 1.25 cents for travel instead of the 1 cent you get with Freedom Unlimited. You also have the option to transfer some or all of your points to participating travel programs.
Not planning to book travel? Both cards enable you to redeem points for cash, gift cards or Pay With Points offers.
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Travel perks
Winner: Sapphire Preferred
If you’re researching travel credit cards and travel regularly enough to take advantage of the benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is indisputably the better choice.
The Chase Sapphire travel insurance is particularly attractive with this card. Pay for your non-refundable expenses — plane tickets, cruise fares, etc. — with the card, and you’ll be covered for rental car damage and trip cancellation, interruption and delay.
The Freedom Unlimited card offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance but has much lower coverage limits. You’ll also get rental car insurance, but it will pay out only after your primary insurance kicks in.
Sapphire Preferred travel benefits:
- $50 credit toward hotel stays each year
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $10,000 per person/$20,000 per trip
- Baggage delay insurance up to $100 per day
- Trip delay reimbursement up to $500 per ticket
- Car rental collision damage waiver (primary)
- Emergency assistance services
Freedom Unlimited travel benefits:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $1,500 per person/$6,000 per trip
- Car rental collision damage waiver (secondary)
- Emergency assistance services
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Other card benefits
Winner: Sapphire Preferred
When it comes to other card benefits, the Sapphire Preferred comes out ahead — but just by a hair. Both cards offer identical purchase protection and extended warranties, but the Sapphire Preferred offers longer free subscriptions to DashPass and Instacart+.
Sapphire Preferred benefits:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty coverage
- 5x points at Lyft
- 5x points at Peloton
- Free one-year DoorDash DashPass subscription (must be activated by Dec. 31, 2027)
- Chase Pay Over Time
Freedom Unlimited benefits:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty coverage
- 5% cash back at Lyft
- Free three-month DoorDash DashPass subscription (must be activated by Dec. 31, 2024)
- Chase Pay Over Time
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Rates and fees
Winner: Tie
When it comes to fees, the choice between the Sapphire Preferred and Freedom Unlimited will be different for every person.
If you intend to use the card while traveling internationally, the Sapphire Preferred is the clear winner as it is a no-foreign transaction fee card, a perk that more than makes up for the $95 annual fee and included travel benefits. If you spend $4,000 during an international vacation, you’ll save $120 in fees compared to the Freedom Unlimited card.
However, if you’re looking for a balance transfer card, the Freedom Unlimited comes out ahead. You won’t pay interest for 15 months, which adds up to significant savings.
Sapphire Preferred rates and fees:
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Annual fee: $95
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Foreign transaction fees: $0
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Introductory APR: N/A
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Standard APR: 21.49% to 28.49% (variable)
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Authorized user fee: $0
Freedom Unlimited rates and fees:
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Annual fee: $0
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Foreign transaction fees: 3% of the transaction total
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Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months
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Standard APR: 20.49% to 29.24%
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Authorized user fee: $0
Sapphire Preferred vs. Freedom Unlimited: Eligibility
Winner: Freedom Unlimited
Chase doesn’t publish its credit score requirements. However, because the Sapphire Preferred is a higher-tier card than the Freedom Unlimited, it may be slightly more difficult to get.
However, you’ll likely need good to excellent credit to be approved for either card. That typically means your credit score should be at least 670 to 690.
▶︎ See our picks: Best credit cards for good credit
Should I get the Sapphire Preferred card or Freedom Unlimited card?
When it comes down to which is the best credit card, the winner in the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited debate ultimately depends on your spending habits.
The Sapphire Preferred is better if you frequently travel for work or recreation. Its elevated rewards earning potential, welcome bonus, higher redemption value, travel insurance and easy points transfer are hard to beat.
If you’re averse to annual fees and your spending tends to be spread out among categories, the Freedom Unlimited may be the better option for you.
