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Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Prime Visa: For Prime Members, There's No Contest

Updated
Steven Porrello
By: Steven Porrello
Steven Porrello
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Steven is a personal finance writer covering topics from mortgages to credit cards to market news. He has written for The Motley Fool Canada, Ramsey Solutions, Nerdwallet, Clever Real Estate, and other major outlets. Steven launched his writing career at the age of four with his first book, "Revenge of the Bad Guys." He currently lives in Portland, Oregon.

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Among the credit cards in Chase's suite, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Prime Visa stand out for their capacity to earn rewards. The winner in a Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Prime Visa matchup, however, will depend heavily on whether you're a Prime member and how much you spend at Amazon. With that in mind, let's compare these cards and see which might be better for you.

Author's experience

The Prime Visa has been a staple in our household, especially after having our first daughter. As Prime members, we get 5% back on all purchases, including baby toys, purees, teething rings, books, clothes, and other expenses. It's a great way to earn 5% on purchases that might not have a bonus category on other credit cards, thus earning at most 2% back. While I recognize the earning potential of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the Prime Visa is simply a must-have for Prime members.

Why Prime Visa might be the ideal choice

The Prime Visa is the best credit card for Prime members -- and a compelling reason to become one. With an unlimited 5% back on Amazon and World Foods purchases, this card can earn more on spending where other cash back credit cards would earn much less. Workout equipment, toys, books, video games, clothes -- all are candidates for the 5% cash back rate. Better yet, you can redeem your cash back through Chase for statement credits, credit cards, or travel, as well as on Amazon.com.

When Chase Freedom Unlimited could be the better option

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes in at a close second. The card offers a rare combination of bonus categories and a high flat cash back rate. Cardholders will earn 3% back on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery, plus 1.5% back everywhere else. In comparison to the Prime Visa, it offers a bigger welcome bonus, a long 0% APR period, and no annual fee. If you're not a Prime member or frequent Amazon shopper, this card would be the ideal choice.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending 		$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories 		Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Circle with letter I in it. N/A 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Prime Visa comparison

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. the Prime Visa debate isn't an easy one to settle. Here's how these two strong cash back credit cards compare on annual fees, welcome offers, intro APRs, and rewards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Prime Visa annual fee

Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee, while the Prime Visa requires a Prime membership ($139 annually). If you don't have an Amazon Prime membership, you can qualify for the Amazon Visa, which has lower cash back rates and a small welcome offer. Since the Prime Visa card requires an annual membership, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® takes the cake for being free.

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Prime Visa welcome offer

Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a bigger welcome offer than the Prime Visa. Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. Meanwhile, the Prime Visa offers a $200 Amazon Gift Card upon approval -- a third of the bonus less than the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

That said, if you'd rather earn a quick bonus, the Prime Visa would give you one instantly, whereas the Chase Freedom Unlimited® makes you earn it slowly over your first year. At any rate, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has the bigger bonus.

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Prime Visa intro APR

Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a better intro 0% APR offer. You'll get 0% intro APR for 15 months on new purchases and balance transfers.

This trumps the Prime Visa card, which doesn't have an intro 0% APR period. Instead, Amazon offers 0% APR financing on individual purchases. You can split purchases of $50 or more into six equal payments, or $250 or more into 12. Unfortunately, you won't earn rewards on purchases financed in this way. If you're looking for a traditional 0% intro APR period, then the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is your card.

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Prime Visa rewards

Winner: Prime Visa

This is where the Prime Visa card really shines. Earning 5% back in any category makes a card well worth the effort, yet the Prime Visa can earn that much in several categories at once. You'll also earn 5% back at Whole Foods, which gives you an avenue to earn 5% back on groceries. The card also earns 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including ridesharing). In short, the card can cover all your big spending with bonus earnings.

This isn't to make the Chase Freedom Unlimited® seem small, however. This card packs a hefty kick, especially for a no fee Chase credit card. With this card in your wallet, you'll earn 3% back on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery, plus 1.5% everywhere else. For drugstores and restaurants, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® will earn slightly more, even if the Prime Visa has more potential for general spending on Amazon.

Final take

For Amazon Prime members, the Prime Visa is the best credit card to have. Prime members get an impressive 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, while also enjoying 2% back at drugstores, restaurants, local transit, and commuting. If you're not a Prime Visa member, with no desire to become one, this debate is a piece of cake: Go for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. You'll get an excellent food and gas credit card, a chance to earn a $300 bonus over your card's first year, and 0% intro APR for 15 months.