Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Capital One Quicksilver
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 2-1. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred Capital One Quicksilver is still the right call if no-fee, no-thinking 1.5% on everything..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Capital One Quicksilver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 1.5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 1.5% | = 1.5% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = $200 cashback after $500 in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 670 | = 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
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
Capital One Quicksilver
- 1.5% cashback on every purchase
- 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Capital One Quicksilver: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (2 vs 1). 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, Capital One Quicksilver 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. Capital One Quicksilver: $200 cashback after $500 in first 3 months.