5 Reasons I Love the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card

It's no secret that getting started in the world of credit card points and miles can be intimidating. Complicated reward structures, hefty annual fees, and unattainable sign-up bonuses are hard enough for professionals to grasp. But for a beginner like me, it can seem impossible.

However, when I went to apply for my first credit card, one card stood out among the others and eliminated any reservations I previously had about credit cards.

Here are five reasons why, as a credit card beginner, I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

Easy money making

Since many credit cards use rotating reward categories and complex tier structures, I was worried about choosing a card that I could take full advantage of. I have a lot on my mind and keeping track of which spending category has changed this month just isn't on my to-do list.

Fortunately, Chase Freedom Unlimited takes the guesswork out of it with its straightforward but lucrative rewards structure:

• 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
• 3% discount on food (including takeaway and eligible delivery services)
• 3% back in drugstores
• 1.5% back on all other purchases

For me, the 3% off restaurant dining was the highlight of my spending. I'm constantly on the go and meeting friends, so eating out has become a staple of my lifestyle. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, I can confidently make the most of my restaurant dining.

The 1.5% back on all other purchases shouldn't be underestimated either. Even the points and miles experts love it. Most cards on the market only offer 1% outside of the bonus categories, which puts the Chase Freedom Unlimited a step above. I can get at least 1.5% back on every purchase every day, with no restrictions. That's definitely something to write home about.

Related: The Complete Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards

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Hassle-free sign-up bonus

Another feature that attracted me to the Chase Freedom Unlimited as a credit card novice was its unique sign-up bonus.

With this card, you can make all your purchases with it and earn 1.5% cash back in the first year on top of all bonus categories. For example, you'll earn 6.5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases. The additional 1.5% cash back in the first year is capped at $20,000, so you can earn an extra $300 if you take full advantage of the offer.

Related: The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history

No annual fee

Now, points and miles experts often talk about how the benefits of their cards, like lounge access, hotel credits and flight attendant cards, make up for the annual fee. And they're right—if you travel frequently.

However, as a beginner, I don't often fly around the world to take advantage of these perks, so signing up for one of these elite cards would actually cost me money. I just want to get rewards for my visits to McDonald's and maybe a flight to Florida next year.

That's why the fact that Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee is a huge advantage for me. I don't have to worry about additional costs year after year.

Related: The Complete Guide to Credit Card Annual Fees

Personalized Chase Offers

One often overlooked feature that I absolutely love is the Chase Offers program. As a cardholder, I can simply add offers – like 5% back or $20 off – to my account and save even more. It's a no-brainer, right?

In the past, I've gotten 5% back on my fuel purchase at Kroger, my regular gas station. I've also saved on purchases at Little Caesars, OfficeMax, and Arby's. These customized offers make me feel like I'm getting exclusive deals that fit my lifestyle perfectly.

Related: How to book travel (and save points) with Chase Travel

Future pairing performance

Even though I'm a beginner now, that doesn't mean I don't have a goal of becoming a pro at the credit card game, so it was crucial for me to choose a card that would add value to my wallet in the long term. Luckily, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is the perfect choice because it combines seamlessly with several other cards in the Chase lineup.

A great candidate for a combination is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which is the next card I'll be adding to my wallet. On its own, the Freedom Unlimited maximizes earnings with 1.5% back on all non-bonus purchases. But when you combine it with the Sapphire Preferred, you can transfer those points to any of Chase's 14 travel partners for maximum value.

In my opinion, Freedom Unlimited helps you earn points while Sapphire Preferred allows you to redeem those points more favorably. It's a winning combination that will set me up for success in the long run.

Related: Better Together: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Credit Card Combinations

Conclusion

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers surprisingly good earning rates with no annual fee, making it the perfect entry-level credit card for beginners like me. As I look to the future of my points and miles game, I'd like to pair the Freedom Unlimited with a higher-end Chase card to maximize my points even further. The Chase Freedom Unlimited can really be your catalyst to becoming a points and miles pro, just like it was for me.

To learn more, read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited