SIDE A
A
American Express · American Express
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
VS.
×
SIDE B
B
Chase · Visa
Chase Freedom Unlimited
FILING
Head-to-Head · Plastic Quarterly
Both cards offer no annual fee and a $200 bonus, making them accessible entry points to rewards. The Blue Cash Everyday provides 3% cash back on supermarkets, gas, and online purchases up to $6,000 annually, then 1% thereafter, plus a valuable 15-month 0% intro APR. The Freedom Unlimited takes a simpler approach with flat 1.5% cash back on everything, no category caps, and bonus 5% on Chase travel and 3% on dining and drugstores. Your choice depends on whether you prefer category bonuses capped at $6,000 annually or unlimited flat-rate rewards with selective bonus categories.
THE VERDICT
Our ruling.
“Choose the Freedom Unlimited for most people. Its uncapped 1.5% flat rate eliminates the arithmetic of tracking category limits, and it rewards higher spending without penalties. The Blue Cash Everyday only wins if you spend more than $3,000 annually at supermarkets, gas stations, or online retail combined—scenarios where its 3% categories outpace 1.5% across the board.”
CHOOSE A
Side A is for you if…
- 01You spend over $3,000 annually at US supermarkets, gas stations, and online retailers combined—the 3% categories provide meaningful value before the $6K cap hits
- 02You prioritize American Express merchant acceptance and Amex Offers discounts at your regular retailers
- 03You want maximum purchase protection and return protection benefits bundled with rewards
CHOOSE B
Side B is for you if…
- 01You'd rather earn 1.5% on all purchases without tracking category caps or annual spending limits
- 02You dine out frequently or travel regularly and value the 5% and 3% bonus categories without restrictions
- 03You want simplicity and don't want to do mental math about whether you've hit $6,000 in category spending
THE LEDGER
Side by side.
- ISSUER
- American Express
- Chase
- NETWORK
- American Express
- Visa
- ANNUAL FEE
- $0
- $0
- APR RANGE
- 19.24% – 29.99%
- 20.49% – 29.24%
- INTRO APR (PURCHASES)
- 0% for 15 months
- 0% for 15 months
- INTRO APR (BALANCE TRANSFERS)
- 0% for 15 months
- 0% for 15 months
- REWARDS TYPE
- cashback
- cashback
- REWARDS RATE
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- SIGN-UP BONUS
- $200 statement credit
- $200 bonus
- BONUS VALUE
- $200
- $200
- MIN. CREDIT SCORE
- 670+
- 670+
- FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
- Yes (3%)
- Yes (3%)
A HIGHLIGHTS
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- —No annual fee
- —3% back at US supermarkets, online retail, and gas stations
- —0% intro APR for 15 months
- —Return protection and purchase protection
- —Access to Amex Offers for extra savings
B HIGHLIGHTS
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- —Flat 1.5% cash back with no caps or category restrictions
- —0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- —No annual fee
- —Pairs with Sapphire cards for boosted point value
- —Purchase protection and extended warranty
QUESTIONS · ANSWERS
Frequently filed.
No. You earn 3% cash back up to $6,000 in combined eligible purchases per category annually, then 1% on additional purchases in those categories. This cap effectively limits the high-rate earnings, making the card less attractive for big spenders in those categories.