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Link: Apply now for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®
I’ve just been approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review), which I’m especially excited about, as this may end up being the best welcome offer I’ve ever had on a card. In this post I wanted to share why I applied, what the restrictions are when it comes to getting approved for the card, and then share my experience applying.
Why I applied for the Chase Freedom Unlimited
The no annual fee Chase Freedom Unlimited is a key part of a bigger Chase Ultimate Rewards strategy. The Chase Freedom Unlimited is the best personal Chase credit card for everyday spending, as it ordinarily offers the following rewards structure:
- 3x points (or 3% cash back) at drugstores
- 3x points (or 3% cash back) at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 1.5x points (or 1.5% cash back) on all other purchases
What’s great is that in conjunction with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review), Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review), or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review), points earned on the card can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points, and be transferred to the Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partners, for some amazing redemptions.
What’s even more exciting is that at the moment, the card has an incredible offer, whereby new cardmembers earn double rewards for the first 12 months. Note that there’s no instant gratification with this offer, as you’ll get a lump sum deposit of those double points after your first year of card membership.
That means this card essentially offers 6x points on dining and drugstores, and 3x points on everyday spending. That’s absolutely incredible, and if you’re eligible, this card should be getting a vast majority of your spending. For example, for those of us who pay federal income taxes directly, it’s possible to do so for a fee of under 2%. That’s like being able to acquire Chase points for around 0.6 cents each!
Chase Freedom Unlimited application rules & restrictions
Who is eligible for the welcome offer on Chase Freedom Unlimited? Let’s start with the card specific rules, and then we’ll talk about Chase’s general rules.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited isn’t available to those who currently have the card, and to those who have received a new cardmember bonus on this exact card in the past 24 months. Note that:
- Eligibility for this card is unrelated to eligibility for any other Chase card, including the “legacy” Chase Freedom Card, or the Chase Freedom Flex, so you just can’t currently have the Chase Freedom Unlimited, or have received a bonus on the Chase Freedom Unlimited in the past 24 months
- Just to be very clear, past cardmembers are eligible for this card, as long as they don’t currently have the card, and haven’t received a new cardmember bonus on the card in the past 24 months; that 24 month timeline is not based on when you applied for or were approved for the card, but rather is based on when you actually received the bonus
- There are often questions about what it takes for Chase to consider one to be a previous cardmember; it’s all based on what Chase’s system shows, and most reports suggest it takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before you’re considered a previous cardmember
- In the event that you’re not eligible for the card, you’ll automatically be declined, but that won’t prevent you from being eligible for the card in the future
In addition to the above, Chase’s general application restrictions apply:
- Chase has the 5/24 rule, whereby you may not be approved for a card if you’ve opened five or more new card accounts in the past 24 months; however, anecdotally this appears to no longer be consistently enforced
- Chase will generally approve you for at most two personal cards in any 30 day period
My experience applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited
What was my experience like applying for the Chase Freedom Unlimited? For what it’s worth, my credit score is around 820, I’ve had three card applications in the past 24 months (at least that show on my credit report), and I had this card in the past (but am obviously not a current cardmember).
I find Chase card applications to be super straightforward. The application was a single page, and asked for basic personal details, like my name, date of birth, address, SSN, type of residence, employment status, and income.
Upon confirming all those details I submitted my application. It’s always a bit nerve-racking as you wait to see if you’re approved or not. Upon submitting my application, I got a “Thanks for applying” message, and was told I’d receive a response in 7-10 business days.
That wasn’t necessarily bad news, but of course it’s always nice to get an instant approval. Fortunately within a minute, I received an email from Chase confirming that I had been approved, and the card immediately showed up in my existing Chase profile. Yay!
The application couldn’t have gone better, and I can’t wait to start spending on the card!
Bottom line
I just got approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which I’m really excited about. This no annual fee card is an important part of a Chase Ultimate Rewards strategy.
What really takes this card to the next level at the moment is that you can earn double rewards for the first 12 months with the current offer. This is an opportunity to earn 6x points on dining and drugstores and 3x points on all other purchase, which is exceptional, especially for those who spent a decent amount on credit cards.
Anyone else planning on picking up the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
