Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 4-2. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred Amex Blue Cash Preferred is still the right call if suburban families with kids — best us-supermarket card..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Amex Blue Cash Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (travel) | 6% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | 2.7% |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (4 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Freedom Unlimited for its best categories, Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K. Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months.