Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Credit cards
$0/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Credit cards
$95/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
- Leads 3 of 4 rankable overall specs; Chase Freedom Unlimited takes 1.
- Rewards rate: 6% cash back at US supermarkets vs 5% travel via Chase, 3% dining & drugstores,…
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.99% Variable APR vs 20.49% – 29.24% Variable APR
Chase Freedom Unlimited charges $95 less a year. Pay the higher fee only if rewards rate matters to you.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has annual fee. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express |
|---|---|---|
| Annual feeFees & Rates | $0 (No annual fee) | $95 |
| Regular APRFees & Rates | 20.49% – 29.24% Variable APR | 19.24% – 29.99% Variable APR |
| Foreign transaction feeFees & Rates | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars |
| Rewards rateRewards & Perks | 5% travel via Chase, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% unlimited on all other purchases | 6% cash back at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% on select US streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and US gas stations, 1% on other purchases |
| Sign-up bonusRewards & Perks | $150 bonus (or extra 1.5% on all spend up to $20k in first year) after $500 spend | $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months |
Showing 5 of 10 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Reasons to choose it
- No annual fee with 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
- 15 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Pairs seamlessly with Sapphire cards to pool Ultimate Rewards points
Worth considering
- 3% foreign transaction fee on foreign purchases
- Requires Sapphire card to transfer points to airline partners
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Reasons to choose it
- Market-leading 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6k/year)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations
Worth considering
- $95 annual fee ($0 intro fee in first year for select offers)
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
What three years could cost
Chase Freedom Unlimited
3-Year Estimated Total$0
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
3-Year Estimated Total$285
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which card has the lower annual fee, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express?
Chase Freedom Unlimited charges $95 a year less.
What is the biggest catch with the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express?
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has this deal-breaker: annual fee. You pay before a single reward is earned.
Which is better for travel, the Chase Freedom Unlimited or the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express?
For travel, buy the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. Leads 2 of 3 rankable travel specs; Chase Freedom Unlimited takes 1. Rewards rate: 6% cash back at US supermarkets vs 5% travel via Chase, 3% dining & drugstores,…
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 10 specs tracked here, 6 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.
A few other possibilities.
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