Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Discover It Miles
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 Discover It Miles is still the right call if no-fee flat travel earn — first-year doubled effectively makes it 3x..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Discover It Miles |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | = Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match) |
| 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
Discover It Miles
- 1.5x miles on every purchase
- Discover Mile Match: doubles all miles earned in year 1
- Redeem against any travel purchase
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- Free FICO score
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Discover It Miles: 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, Discover It Miles 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. Discover It Miles: Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match).