Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

Easily compare up to three credit cards side by side with our intuitive comparison tool. Assess features, offers, and more to find the best fit for your financial needs.

Chase Freedom Unlimited<sup>®</sup> Card Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card
8.7MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.7

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
7
Regular APR
9
Rewards
9.1
Benefits
8.1
Welcome Bonus
8.7
Recommended Credit Score: 9.3
Foreign Transaction Fee: 7.7
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 9.3
8.5MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.5

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
9.1
Intro APR
7
Regular APR
8.4
Rewards
9.2
Benefits
8.5
Welcome Bonus
8.4
Recommended Credit Score: 9.1
Foreign Transaction Fee: 8.8
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 7.8
ANNUAL FEE
$0 $69
INTRO APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for first 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for first 15 months on qualifying balance transfers No intro offer available
REGULAR APR
Intro time end, 20.49% - 29.24% (V) APR after that 21.49% - 28.49% Variable APR
PROS
  • 1.5 - 5% cash back
  • 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • No minimum redemption amount
  • Earn a $200 bonus
  • No reward caps
  • No booking fees
  • Unlimited rewards seats
  • 3,000 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary
CONS
  • Assesses a balance transfer fee.
  • Ongoing balance transfer fee is high
  • 3% Foreign transaction fee
  • Very high balance transfer fee
  • 3% Foreign transaction fee
  • Annual fee
  • No introductory APR
  • Membership fees
WELCOME BONUS
Get an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back! 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
REWARDS
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card Rewards program provides exceptional flexibility in credit currency. Redeem your earnings across a wide range of options, including:
  • Through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.
  • 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 3% cash back on dining at restaurants
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Rewards program provides exceptional flexibility in credit currency. Redeem your earnings across a wide range of options, including:
  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Member FDIC
BENEFITS
Unique cash back rate boost - The Freedom Unlimited card's latest welcome offer is better than its normal one. It gives you a chance at up to $300 in cash back (1.5% on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). This is a $100 boost to the card's usual $200 offer. Travel - Travel and emergency assistance services can help if you have issues away from home. They provide legal and medical referrals and other help. Roadside Dispatch can help in a roadside emergency. It covers tows, jump starts, tyre changes, and lockout service. 0% intro rate for purchases and balance transfers - Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 0% APRs for new purchases. They also offer 0% APRs for balance transfers. This is for the first 15 months. The purchase part is fine. Just make sure to pay off your full balance before the high regular rates start.  The only downsides are Chase Freedom Unlimited’s higher regular APR and its 3% balance transfer fee. The fee is for transfers in the first 60 days (5% after that). Purchase protection - If you buy an item with your Freedom Unlimited and it is stolen or damaged in the first 120 days, you can be reimbursed. You can get up to $500 per claim, with a max of $50,000 per account. Credit score & identity restoration services - Cardholders can use Chase Credit Journey to access their credit score at any time. They can also get no-cost identity restoration services.  Various protections and perks - There are enough perks to justify keeping the card year after year. The lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance can reimburse you. They give you peace of mind when traveling. So can the extended warranty and purchase protection. The anniversary point bonus and EarlyBird check-ins also make it worthwhile. Redemption flexibility - There aren’t any blackout dates, so you can use your rewards points whenever you choose. 25% back on inflight purchases - You’ll get a nice discount on any inflight purchases. This includes drinks, meals, and internet access. Extended warranty protection - Southwest Plus cardholders can add a year to the original warranty on eligible purchases made with the card. They can do this up to $10,000 per claim. Baggage delay insurance - This benefit provides reimbursement for emergency purchases of essential items. It applies when your baggage is delayed for over six hours. It covers up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days. 2 EarlyBird check-ins each year - You’ll get a pair of credits you can use for early check-ins twice per year. This lets you check in automatically before the typical 24-hour check-in. It lets you get an earlier boarding position and a better chance to pick your seat and store your bags. EarlyBird check-in typically costs between $15 and $20.
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. 29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
BALANCE TRANSFER FEE
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after) 21.49%–28.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional) 690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
3% in U.S. dollars 3%
BEST FOR
  • Travelers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Everyday Spending
  • Restaurant
  • Health and Wellness
  • Travelers
  • Frequent Flyers
  • Hotel Stays
  • Foreign Travel
  • Rewards Points Enthusiasts
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