FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
  • No Annual Fee
  • Fair Credit
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Indigo<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup> - $1,000 Credit Limit
  • Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
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Milestone® Mastercard®

Destiny Mastercard
  • $700 Credit Limit
  • No security deposit
  • Less than perfect credit is ok
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Understanding the Redemption Options for Your Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards



The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card's appeal lies in its straightforward cash back rewards. However, the rewards are actually earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which unlock a variety of redemption options beyond simple cash back. Knowing how to leverage these options is key to maximizing the value of the rewards you earn on your everyday spending.

For a comprehensive overview of how to maximize your card's earning potential, read our pillar page, Maximizing Your Rewards with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

The standard redemption: Cash back

For many cardholders, the most direct and simple redemption option is cash back.

  • Fixed Value: When redeemed for cash, each point is worth a fixed amount, typically one cent. So, 100 points equals $1 in cash back.

  • Flexible Access: Cash back can typically be received as a statement credit, a direct deposit into a connected bank account, or a check.

  • Simple and Convenient: This option is the most straightforward and requires no extra effort, making it a great choice for cardholders who prefer simplicity.

  • Leveraging gift card redemptions

    Gift cards are another popular redemption option and can sometimes offer an enhanced value.

  • Fixed Value: Many gift cards can be redeemed at the same standard rate as cash back (one cent per point).

  • Bonus Deals: From time to time, Chase offers special deals on gift cards, where a specific gift card costs fewer points than its face value. This can provide an opportunity to get more than one cent per point in value.

  • Redeeming for travel through the Chase Travel portal

    You can also use your points to book travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

  • Portal Access: This allows you to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel expenses using your points.

  • Fixed Value: For the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, points redeemed through the Chase Travel portal have the same fixed value as cash back.

  • Earn Airline Miles: A benefit of booking through the Chase Travel portal is that you are often able to earn airline miles on your flight, as the purchase is treated like a cash booking.

  • Unlocking premium redemptions through a combination strategy

    The true potential of your Chase Freedom Unlimited® rewards is unlocked when you pool your points with a premium Chase card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

  • The Power of Pooling: By transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to a premium card, you gain access to more valuable redemption options that are not available to Freedom Unlimited® cardholders.

  • Travel Portal Boost: Points redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel portal via a premium card receive a redemption boost, meaning they are worth more.

  • Airline and Hotel Transfer Partners: The most valuable redemption strategy is often transferring your points to one of Chase's partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. For more on this strategy, read our guide on Combining the Chase Freedom Unlimited® with Other Credit Cards.

  • Using points with retail partners

    Chase also allows you to redeem points for purchases with certain retail partners, such as Amazon.

  • Lower Value: It's important to note that these redemptions typically offer a lower value per point than cash back.

  • Not Recommended: If maximizing your rewards is your goal, it's generally not recommended to redeem through these channels.

  • The bottom line

    The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers flexible redemption options, from the simplicity of cash back to the high-value potential of premium travel redemptions when paired with another Chase card. Understanding these options is key to tailoring your rewards strategy to your personal financial and travel goals.

    Related Articles

  • Maximizing Your Rewards with the Chase Freedom Unlimited

  • Combining the Chase Freedom Unlimited® with Other Credit Cards

  • Leveraging Chase Freedom Unlimited® Benefits Beyond Cash Back

  • Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited Right for You? A Practical Guide





  • Found this guide helpful? Bookmark it for future reference as you continue your financial journey!

    Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score

    FICO® Credit Scores

    A FICO® Score is a specific, proprietary type of credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). It is the most widely used credit scoring model, with approximately 90% of top U.S. lenders using a FICO® Score to make lending decisions.

    FICO® Score Ranges:

    • Exceptional: 800–850
    • Very Good: 740–799
    • Good: 670–739
    • Fair: 580–669
    • Poor: 300–579
    While many people (and credit education websites) use "Excellent" and "Bad" as general, descriptive terms, FICO® officially categorizes its score ranges as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.

    What is a Credit Score?

    A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.

    Why is a Credit Score Important?
    A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.

    FICO® Credit Score Facts

    Key Characteristics of FICO® Scores

    • Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.

    • Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.

    • Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.

    • Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.

    Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.

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