Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 4-2. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred Capital One Spark Cash Plus is still the right call if high-spend small business — 2% flat with $1,200 welcome..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| 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
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase
- 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- No preset spending limit
- Annual fee refund of $150 if you spend $150K/year
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus: 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, Capital One Spark Cash Plus 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 Spark Cash Plus: $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months.