Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » American Express Everyday® Card vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Advertiser Disclosure

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

American Express Everyday® Card vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

While both cards offer decent cash back rewards with no annual fee, there is a clear winner between the two. And here's why we think so.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Table of Content

As the names suggest, both the American Express Everyday® Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are credit cards designed for your day to day use. Unlike many cards that offer the best rewards for travelers, these cards offer the highest bonuses on everyday items like groceries, gas, and eating out.

However, there are some important differences between the two options that we will examine in more detail, so you can determine which card is the best fit for you and your lifestyle.

General Comparison

American express everyday card review 2021

chase freedom unlimited card

American Express Everyday® Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Annual Fee
$0. See Rates and Fees.
$0
Rewards
2X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 each year), then 1x on all purchases
5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus
10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
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
0% Intro APR
15 months on purchases
15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.7%. See Rates and Fees.
3%
Purchase APR
17.49% – 28.49% variable
19.49% – 28.24% variable
Read Review
Read Review

Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?

Although we’ve looked at a variety of the card features, understanding the real cash benefits can be tricky without a direct scenario comparison. Since both of these cards are designed for everyday spending, we’ll look at typical monthly spending to see what rewards the cards offer, so you can see what rewards you could earn with similar spending.

However, keep in mind to adjust the numbers to your regular spending categories, which may be different – so the exact calculation depends on your personal habits.

American express everyday card review 2021

chase freedom unlimited card

Spend Per Category
American Express Everyday® Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
21,000 points
$225
$5,000 – Restaurants
5,000 points
$150
$1,000 – Airline
1,000 points
$50
$1,000 – Hotels
1,000 points
$50
$4,000 – Gas
4,000 points
$60
Total Points
32,000 points
/
Estimated Redemption Value
0.6 – 1.6 cent
/
Estimated Annual Value
$192 – $512
$475

Editorial Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollments may be required for select benefits. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

Compare Welcome Bonus And Fees

Both cards have a sign up bonus that takes the form of cash, rather than points you’ll need to calculate and redeem. The Amex Everyday card offers 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months.

Chase has an even more attractive introductory bonus scheme for its Freedom Unlimited Card – 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. 

This is an area where the Amex Everyday and Chase Freedom Unlimited are very similar. Neither card has an annual fee, which is a great saving compared to other cards offered Amex or by Chase. Both card issuers also offer 0% intro APR.

The foreign transaction fees for the cards are also similar. Amex charges 2.7% and Chase charges 3%, with both percentages applying after the conversion to dollars. The only key difference is that while Amex does not allow balance transfers, Chase charges $5 or 5%, but this is reduced to $5 or 3% for the first 60 days.

Compare The Perks

Amex Everyday Card

American express everyday card review 2021

  • Exclusive access to ticket presales. American Express Experiences provide card member only events in cities and exclusive ticket presale access. You can browse concert tours, sporting events and even Broadway shows for exclusive deals.
  • Car Rental Damage and Loss Insurance: When you use your card to reserve and pay for the entire rental, if you decline the rental company collision damage waiver, you’ll be covered for Damage or theft in covered territories.
  • Send and Split: This allows you to split purchases with other PayPal or Venmo users directly using the Amex App and your Everyday card.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

chase freedom unlimited card

  • Complimentary three month DoorDash DashPass. This subscription service provides unlimited $0 delivery fee deliveries on orders over $12. After this point, you’ll qualify for a DashPass at 50% off for the following nine months. However, you must activate this subscription before March 31 2022.
  • Cash Back on Lyft rides: You’ll earn 5% cash back on your Lyft rides until March 2022. This is 3.5% extra to the 1.5% you’ll already earn.
  • Up to $500 cash back per year for referring friends. You’ll earn $100 for each friend who gets a participating Freedom credit card.

Compare The Drawbacks

No financial product is without potential drawbacks and these two cards are no exception. So, here we’ll highlight some possible negatives, so you can make an informed decision.

Amex Everyday Card

American express everyday card review 2021

Although the Amex Everyday card has 0% for 15 months on purchases only, as balance transfers are not possible.

So, if you were hoping to take advantage of this low APR to consolidate your credit card balances, you’ll be disappointed.

While Amex is popular here and in numerous countries in the world, it is not widely accepted in some areas. So, if you do want to take advantage of the fairly low foreign transaction fee, check that you can use the card in your destination country before you travel.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

chase freedom unlimited card

Some of the most attractive card benefits have a strict time limit. For example, the free DoorDash membership is only for three months and you’ll only earn the higher rate cash back on Lyft rides until March 2022. So, watch the time limits!

Although Chase has reduced the balance transfer fee to 3% or $5 for the first 60 days, after this time, the fees go back up to $5 or 5%. So, if you want to take advantage of the 0% introductory offer, you’ll need to get your balance transfers organized quickly and you’ll still need to pay a fee.

Compare Redemption Options

Both Amex and Chase offers several ways to redeem your rewards. These include:

  • Statement credit or a direct deposit: There is no minimum to redeem your rewards in this way and direct deposits are acceptable for most U.S checking and savings accounts.
  • Amazon shopping: You can also use your rewards to pay for all or part of eligible Amazon.com orders when you link your card to your Amazon account.
  • Gift cards: Chase has a variety of gift card options including for dining, entertainment and shopping.
  • Travel rewards. You can use the Chase Ultimate Rewards platform to access competitive rates for travel products including hotel stays and flights.

How to Maximize Cards Benefits?

If you want to make the best use of your Amex Everyday there are some tips to help you:

  • Meet the introductory spend minimum: You’ll earn 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months . So, make sure you meet this spending requirement.
  • Reserve and pay for your rental cars with your card. This will provide additional insurance protection for damage and theft. Other Amex cards are also a great option for rental car insurance cards.
  • Check out American Express Experiences: If you like going to concerts, sporting events, and shows, be sure to check out this platform for exclusive access to ticket presales.

American express everyday card review 2021

If you want to make the best use of your Chase Freedom Unlimited , there are some tips to help you:

  • Link your card to Lyft asap: Until March 2022, you’ll earn an additional 3.5% cash back on your rides. So, make sure you link your card to your Lyft account as soon as you receive it.
  • Sign up for your DashPass: You’ll receive a complimentary three month DoorDash DashPass, so make sure you sign up and take advantage of a $0 delivery fee on orders over $12.
  • Introduce family and friends to Chase. You can earn $100 for each referral who gets a participating Chase credit card.

chase freedom unlimited card

Customer Reviews: Which Card Wins?

Amex Everyday
Chase Freedom Unlimited
App Rating (iOS)
4.9
4.8
App Rating (Android)
4.2
4.4
BBB Rating (A-F)
A+
B+
WalletHub
3.5
3.5
Contect Options
phone/social
phone/social
Availability
24/7
7 AM – 11 PM

Satisfied customers report that the Amex Everyday is a great card to negate the rising cost of groceries. While there is a cap of $6,000 per year, you can earn 3% cash back on your grocery bills. The other highlights include an easy to qualify for introductory cash bonus.

Negative reviews report frustration that there is no balance transfer option. Although there is a long 0% introductory rate, this is only for purchases, so you cannot consolidate your credit card balances on this card.

American express everyday card review 2021

Satisfied borrowers report the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers some great rewards for everyday spending. This means that you can maximize your rewards without needing to drastically change your spending habits. Cardholders also appreciate the 0% introductory rate for the first 15 months.

Negative reviews report frustration at the lack of fee free balance transfers. While the card is set up to allow you to access a 0% rate on purchases and balance transfers, there are no fee free balance transfers. Also, there are some comments about the temporary nature of some of the card benefits.

chase freedom unlimited card

When You Might Want the Everyday Card?

The Amex Everyday Card is a great option that could be good if:

  • You tend to spend $500 or more a month on groceries, as you’ll enjoy higher cash back up to a cap of $6,000 per year. After this, you’ll earn 1%.
  • You like attending concerts, sporting events, and other ticketed events and will make use of the Amex ticket presale platform.
  • You plan on making $2,000 in purchases within the first six months, so you’ll qualify for the cash back bonus

When You Might Want the Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is a solid choice if:

  • You will spend at least $20,00 during the first year in order to get the most of the sign up bonus.
  • You enjoy dining out, as you’ll get 3% on your purchases
  • Higher cash back on many purchases, especially those through Chase Ultimate rewards.

Bottom Line

Both the Amex Everyday and the Chase Freedom Unlimited offer some nice rewards, particularly since neither card has an annual fee.

However, the differences between these cards will influence which one will be better suited to you and your circumstances.

FAQ

You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%.

No transparent income requirements or proof of income requests are laid out when it comes to applying for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card.

Yes, you can get pre-approval on Chase website. This means that you can figure out if you can qualify for this card or not without having to submit to a hard credit check.

All purchases earn cashback with this card. This means that it is going to be ideal for those people who want a card that fits into a wide range of different types of purchases.

Compare The Alternatives

Both cards offer some interesting rewards, particularly for every day purchases.

However, there are some alternatives that you should know as well before making a decision of what's best choice for you.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

chase_sapphire_preffered

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95 ($0 intro for the first year)
$95
Rewards
1.5% 1.5% cash back on all purchases
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
2X – 5X 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
$250 $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
2.70%
0%
Purchase APR
19.24% – 29.24% variable
18.49% – 29.49% Variable
20.49% – 27.49% variable APR

Review Cash Back Credit Cards

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
Best Cards Per Category
Best Cards Per CS
Best Cards Per Issuer
Top Offers From Our Partners

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus: $250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
citi-custom-cash_
Rewards Plan:
1-5% 5% cash back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle up to the first $500 spent and 1% cash back thereafter
Welcome Bonus: $200 $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening (20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back)

Rewards Plan:
1% – 4% unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: $300 $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Advertiser Disclosure

The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. 

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.