An incredible newbie card is cheap to carry, simple to make use of and able to incomes rewards that assist additional your travels. The Chase Freedom Limitless® (see charges and costs) suits the invoice on all three.
It is a card I’ve had in my pockets for nearly three years now, and I nonetheless use it recurrently.
Let’s dive deeper into the explanations it is one of many finest playing cards for newbies.
Balanced incomes charges for newbies
As a newbie, you may need to begin with a card that may cowl a couple of key classes by itself.
That provides you with the biggest rewards-earning alternative when you work towards a multi-card pockets that may cowl a variety of purchases.
The Freedom Limitless earns money again on the following charges:
- 5% again on Chase Journey℠
- 3% again on eating and drugstores
- 2% again on Lyft (via Sept. 30, 2027)
- 1.5% again on every part else
The place this card actually shines — and what continues to earn it a spot as one in all my go-to playing cards — is its 1.5% money again charge on all nonbonus spending. I all the time encourage folks to earn greater than 1% money again or 1 level per greenback spent on no matter they’ll, to reap as many rewards as doable.
Protecting journey, choose ride-hailing and eating is a strong providing for a newbie. Whilst you’ll need to guide via Chase’s journey portal to get 5% again, it is a great way to get acquainted with how issuer journey portals work.
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Whereas the Freedom Limitless’s nonbonus rewards charge is decrease than another widespread playing cards, just like the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card, it supplies cheap worth when mixed with the cardboard’s bonus classes.
For example of how this card can enhance your rewards steadiness, I’ve spent slightly below $2,700 on my Freedom Limitless this yr on nonbonus spending, which suggests I’ve earned round $40 in money again because of the 1.5% money again charge.
Associated: Why transferable factors and miles are value greater than different rewards
A welcome bonus with unimaginable return in your spending
At present, new Freedom Limitless cardholders can earn a $250 money again bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
If you wish to preserve issues easy when you study the ropes, you possibly can redeem the money again from this provide (and any extra rewards you earn) for an announcement credit score, deposit right into a Chase account, present playing cards, bookings made via Chase Journey and at Amazon.com checkout.
A pathway to higher worth out of your rewards
Once you’re able to take the subsequent step in your bank card journey, there is a neat approach to get much more worth out of your rewards.
In case you maintain a qualifying Final Rewards card, just like the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs) or Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs), your rewards will flip into transferable Final Rewards factors.
Meaning they are often despatched to Chase’s 14 switch companions. By doing that, it is best to have the ability to web TPG’s April 2026 valuation of Final Rewards factors of two.05 cents per level. That may make this card’s welcome bonus value roughly $513, in the event you’re prepared to carry on to it till you get a higher-tier Final Rewards card.
It is uncommon to see a welcome bonus provide extra worth than it’s a must to spend to earn it. Plus, even low spenders ought to have the ability to simply hit this card’s $500 spending requirement.
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Offers a strong basis for a future Chase Trifecta
In case you spend sufficient time studying about Chase, you may finally hear quite a bit concerning the Chase Trifecta. Primarily, this entails utilizing three Chase playing cards in tandem for max earnings.
There are lots of methods to craft this trifecta, however the Freedom Limitless is a standard member. Whereas different Chase playing cards, just like the Sapphire Most well-liked, play a task within the trifecta by providing sturdy bonus classes, the Freedom Limitless shines for its 1.5% rewards charge on nonbonus spending.
Something that does not match right into a bonus class on one in all your different Chase Trifecta playing cards can go on the Freedom Limitless. By opening the Freedom Limitless now, as a newbie, you are setting your self as much as set up a robust trifecta sooner or later.
Associated: The last word information to the perfect bank card mixtures
Nice for DoorDash followers
Freedom Limitless cardholders can obtain a complimentary six-month DoorDash DashPass subscription in the event that they activate by Dec. 31, 2027. Whether or not you are already a DoorDash person otherwise you’re taken with attempting out the service, this can be a good perk for a no-annual-fee card.
I began utilizing DoorDash recurrently in faculty and have ever since. After I first opened my Freedom Limitless account, I loved utilizing its DoorDash perks. DoorDash DashPass price $9.99 per thirty days again then (and nonetheless does), so this profit saved me some huge cash.
In case you’re a DashPass member and have this card, you may obtain as much as $10 every quarter for non-restaurant orders (via Dec. 31, 2027), reminiscent of from grocery shops and comfort shops. Simply observe that some knowledge factors counsel alcohol orders will not qualify for this perk.
Lastly, you may earn 3% again in your DoorDash restaurant orders with this card because of its eating class.
Associated: Your full information to Chase and DoorDash
It does not price something to carry this card
I am within the camp that believes most individuals are finest off opening a no-annual-fee card for his or her first bank card. This manner, there is no stress to maximise advantages when you study the ins and outs of factors and miles.
Plus, it means you possibly can simply preserve that card open long-term. The age of your credit score accounts performs a task in your credit score rating, so it is essential to preserve your first bank card open in the event you can.
As soon as you’re feeling comfy with journey rewards, you possibly can take the subsequent step and open a card with an annual charge, such because the $95-per-year Sapphire Most well-liked.
Associated: Are premium bank cards definitely worth the annual charge?
Backside line
The Chase Freedom Limitless is a implausible alternative for anybody trying to get into journey rewards. It could maintain its personal for some time in your pockets when you work towards opening extra playing cards.
Then, when you’re able to take the subsequent step, it might probably proceed to help your spending with its earnings on nonbonus purchases. Because it does not have an annual charge, it is simple to maintain this card long-term even in the event you do not use it too typically.
I might strongly contemplate this card for a primary rewards card. Simply preserve Chase’s utility guidelines in thoughts, and do not forget that Chase prefers both a longtime credit score historical past or a preexisting relationship with them.
To study extra, try our full evaluate of the Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
