Chase Ultimate Rewards guide

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great option for all your everyday spending since you earn at least 1.5 percent cash back for each dollar you spend, plus 5 percent back on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal and on Lyft rides through March 2025. Remember, too, that it’s called “cash back,” but accumulates as Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

You’ll also get 3 percent cash back on all dining and drugstore purchases, and there’s no annual fee. Just remember that you’ll have to pair this card with a travel credit card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve) if you want to be able to transfer your points to Chase airline and hotel partners.

Welcome offer: Earn 1.5 percent extra on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year. Max out the offer for up to $300 cash back.

Earning rates:

• 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 5 percent cash back on Lyft purchases through March 2025
• 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Additional perk: Enjoy an intro 0 percent APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a 19.49% – 28.24% Variable APR.