The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) hands you a long 0% intro APR runway, plus pays you cash back the whole time you own it. That combo is rare, and it’s the reason this card stands out.
Most 0% intro APR cards are one-trick ponies that get shoved in a drawer the day the intro period ends.
This one’s different. I’ve carried my Chase Freedom Unlimited® for years, and since there’s a $0 annual fee, it’ll probably stay in my wallet forever.
What the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns in cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® took home our award for the Best Cash Back Credit Card for 2026. It beat every other cash back card that we cover — a huge feat.
The rewards program is pretty simple. You earn:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% cash back on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
The unlimited 1.5% flat rate is better than what you find on most basic rewards cards. You don’t need to track or activate any categories — you just swipe and earn. Your cash back doesn’t ever expire as long as the account stays open, so there’s no rush to cash out.
How the 0% intro APR works
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® runs 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then shifts to a 18.24% – 27.74% Variable rate.
That gives you more than a year to pay down a big purchase without interest stacking up. Or, transfer an existing balance from an old high-interest credit card. The average American carries about $6,715 in credit card debt, according to Motley Fool Money research, so that window can save you real money.
Here’s my honest take about 0% intro APR cards. I usually tell people not to finance a purchase or transfer a balance and then keep piling everyday spending on top. It muddies the payoff plan, and you can easily lose track of what you really owe.
For a smaller amount you can clear fairly quickly — think $2,000 to $3,000 — I don’t see a big problem. Just be aware that 0% intro APRs are temporary, so you’ve got to make a solid plan to pay off the balance before the offer window ends.
Grab an easy $200 welcome offer, too
New cardholders can earn a welcome offer on top of the regular cash back, which gives your first year a nice head start.
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
That’s a super low spending threshold, which most people can manage. And since there’s no annual fee, it’s all yours to keep.
Why it’s worth keeping long term
Most 0% intro APR cards are built for debt payoff, not rewards. So the minute your debt is cleared, there’s little reason to keep using the card.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a long-term keeper because of its reward program and no annual fee. It keeps paying cash back on every purchase, better than most cards do.
Keeping no-annual-fee cards open helps your credit too, since a longer account history and more available credit both work in your favor. That’s one of the reasons I’ve kept mine for so long.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earned our top cash back spot for 2026, but it’s smart to see how it stacks up against the best cash back credit cards before you apply.