For the month of May, Chase is offering increased rewards and redemption values for the Chase Freedom Flex℠*, Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom® Student credit card. You can unlock redemption discounts when redeeming your points for gift cards or products from the Apple Ultimate Rewards store, making your points more valuable. You can take advantage of these new offers through May 31, 2023.
In addition, cardholders will also earn more with select brands through Shop Through Chase, Chase’s shopping portal. Shop Through Chase works much like third-party cash-back portals such as Rakuten or PayPal Honey, where you’ll earn cash back (or in this case, Ultimate Rewards points) on purchases from select merchants when you use the portal’s affiliate link to reach the merchant’s website.
For a limited time, Shop Through Chase is offering up to 10% cash back on purchases from select merchants, in addition to your card’s other cash-back categories -- offering another way to rack up more Ultimate Rewards points.
If you want to take advantage of these offers to get some more bang for your bucks (and points), these are the best cards to get:
A versatile rewards card
Chase Freedom Flex℠
9.5/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Quick Look
- Intro Offer
-
$200 Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- 670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 5% 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!; 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service; Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The Freedom Flex has a lot going for it. It’s rewarding, flexible and has no annual fee. It has both quarterly rotating rewards that often include popular spending categories from Amazon to grocery stores, as well as static reward categories for dining, drugstores and travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
During the Month of More, you can save up to 15% when redeeming your Ultimate Rewards Points for select gift cards. You can also redeem points for 10% more value through Apple Ultimate Rewards. Points are typically worth 1 cent when redeemed for Apple products through the Apple Ultimate Rewards store, but in May they’re worth 1.10 cents. Additionally, this month you can earn 10% back with select retailers through Shop through Chase, so be sure to check to see if any of your favorite brands made the cut.
You can learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
5%
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5%
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3%
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
1%
Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The Freedom Flex has a lot going for it. It’s rewarding, flexible and has no annual fee. It has both quarterly rotating rewards that often include popular spending categories from Amazon to grocery stores, as well as static reward categories for dining, drugstores and travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
During the Month of More, you can save up to 15% when redeeming your Ultimate Rewards Points for select gift cards. You can also redeem points for 10% more value through Apple Ultimate Rewards. Points are typically worth 1 cent when redeemed for Apple products through the Apple Ultimate Rewards store, but in May they’re worth 1.10 cents. Additionally, this month you can earn 10% back with select retailers through Shop through Chase, so be sure to check to see if any of your favorite brands made the cut.
You can learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
5%
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5%
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3%
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
1%
Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Earn rewards for every purchase
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
8/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Apply Now
On Chase’s secure website
Quick Look
- Intro Offer
-
Earn an Additional 1.5% Cash Back Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- 670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1.5% – 5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service; 1.5% on all other purchases
The Freedom Unlimited is Chase’s premier generalist rewards card. It earns 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Reward, 3% back on drugstores and restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service) and 1.5% back on all purchases. This month, your rewards are worth even more if you redeem them for gift cards or with Apple, and you can also take advantage of the increased Shop through Chase offer.
You can learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
5%
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3%
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
1.5%
1.5% on all other purchases
The Freedom Unlimited is Chase’s premier generalist rewards card. It earns 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Reward, 3% back on drugstores and restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service) and 1.5% back on all purchases. This month, your rewards are worth even more if you redeem them for gift cards or with Apple, and you can also take advantage of the increased Shop through Chase offer.
You can learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
5%
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3%
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
1.5%
1.5% on all other purchases
For students
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
5.25/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Apply Now
On Chase’s secure website
Quick Look
- Intro Offer
-
$50 $50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.74% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- 670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
The Chase Freedom Student isn’t the most rewarding student card, but it’s a bit better this May thanks to Chase’s promotion. On its own, it earns 1% cash back for every purchase --the base rate for most credit cards so it’s not overly impressive. It does, however, come with a welcome bonus and a $20 reward (2,000 points) each card anniversary your account is in good standing for up to five years. Its credit recommendations are higher than other student credit cards, however, meaning it may be harder to qualify for than other options.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
The Chase Freedom Student isn’t the most rewarding student card, but it’s a bit better this May thanks to Chase’s promotion. On its own, it earns 1% cash back for every purchase --the base rate for most credit cards so it’s not overly impressive. It does, however, come with a welcome bonus and a $20 reward (2,000 points) each card anniversary your account is in good standing for up to five years. Its credit recommendations are higher than other student credit cards, however, meaning it may be harder to qualify for than other options.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
1%
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
How to choose the right Freedom card
Unless you’re a student, your choice will fall between the Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited. To choose between the two, first consider your spending habits. The Freedom Flex earns a higher rewards rate than the Freedom Unlimited for specific purchases, but a lower base rate on all purchases that don’t fall into one of the elevated rewards categories -- 1% compared to 1.5%.
The Freedom Flex’s bonus categories also change every quarter, meaning it takes more planning to fully maximize the card. If you’re less likely to pay attention to how you shop, the Unlimited is likely the better choice. However, while more complex, the Freedom Flex can be more rewarding.
But why choose? If you’re in the market for two new credit cards, this duo works well together.You can use the Freedom Flex for higher reward categories, like its rotating quarterly categories, use either card for restaurant and drugstore purchases, then turn to the Unlimited to earn a solid 1.5% on everything else. Just keep in mind that Chase has an unofficial 5/24 rule, which means it likely won’t approve you for more than five cards in a 24-month period.
Unlike other student cards, the Freedom Student has a pretty steep credit recommendation. If you’re a student and have a limited credit history, you’ll likely have to look elsewhere.
How to get the most from your Chase Freedom card
During the month of May, your Chase Freedom card is more lucrative if you’re able to redeem your rewards for either gift cards or Apple products through the Apple Ultimate Rewards store. Unless you’ve had your eye on a new Apple product, gift cards are the better option.
If you redeem for select gift cards, you’ll save up 15%, which essentially means you’ll be able to redeem gift cards for 15% fewer points.
As an example, from the Chase portal, if you redeem a $15 Macy’s Gift Card, instead of costing 1,500 points, it would take 1,350 points with the 10% discount. If each point is worth 1 cent, then saving 150 points would be equal to saving $1.50.
Some eligible gift cards include Applebee’s (10%), Bath & Body Works (15%), Chili’s (15%), Chipotle (10%), Domino’s (10%), Gap (15%) Happy Moments (10%), Home Chef (15%), Home Depot (10%), Macy’s (10%), PetSmart (15%), Spa Finder (15%) and Wayfair (15%).
You’ll also earn up to 10% cash back with select retailers through Shop through Chase. Some of the included retailers are Athleta (5%), HelloFresh (5%), Nike (10%), Lowes (10%), ProFlowers (5%), Samsung (5%), Sam’s Club (5%), Sephora (10%), Ulta (10%) and Walmart (5%). The extra earnings are high, but we don’t recommend overspending to rack up points -- this offer is most valuable if you can take advantage of it through normal spending.
The bottom line
For the month of May, your Chase Freedom card is a little more rewarding. If you’re already planning to shop at a particular store, redeem your rewards for the retailer’s gift cards to save up to 15%, or use your points for any Apple products you may need. You can also earn more rewards with Shop through Chase, so take a look to see if any of your favorite brands are included.
*All information about the Chase Freedom Flex card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
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