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Side-by-side

Bilt Palladium vs Chase Freedom Unlimited

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bilt Palladium comes from Bilt / Cardless at $495/yr; the Chase Freedom Unlimited from Chase at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Bilt Palladium is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($925 more in estimated value) than the Chase Freedom Unlimited's. Get the Bilt Palladium first; revisit the Chase Freedom Unlimited after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt PalladiumChase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee$495$0
Sign-up bonus50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status$200 bonus
Bonus value (est.)$1,125$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo$500 in 3 mo
IssuerColumn N.A.Chase
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Other)2x1.5x
Transfer partnersbiltchase-ur
Headline benefits
  • $400 Bilt Travel hotel credit
  • $200 Bilt Cash every year
  • Priority Pass + 2 guests
  • Flat 2x on everyday spend
  • 1.5% everywhere
  • 5% on travel via Chase
  • 3% dining + drugstores
  • Free if paired with Sapphire
Read the full review
Bilt Palladium
$495/yr · 50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status
Read the full review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr · $200 bonus

Editorial take: Bilt Palladium

Bilt 2.0's top tier ($495 AF), launched February 7, 2026 with Column N.A. as issuer and Cardless as servicer. A flat 2x everyday card that stacks $400 of Bilt Travel hotel credit, $200 of Bilt Cash a year, and Priority Pass with 2 guests. It does not have Obsidian's 3x category, so it wins on credits and lounge access rather than on multipliers. For Bilt loyalists who use the hotel credit and the lounges, the math works; for everyone else, Obsidian is plenty.

Editorial take: Chase Freedom Unlimited

The best no-fee cash back card in the Chase family. Stack it with a Sapphire and your cash back converts into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, a free upgrade most people miss. Note: Cell phone protection is on Freedom Flex, not Freedom Unlimited.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bilt Palladium or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Bilt Palladium has the bigger bonus, 50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status, worth roughly $1,125, versus $200 bonus (~$200) on the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Is the Bilt Palladium's $495 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
At $495/yr, the Bilt Palladium is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Chase Freedom Unlimited's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Bilt Palladium and Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Column N.A. and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Bilt Palladium or the Chase Freedom Unlimited first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Palladium: $4,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Freedom Unlimited: $500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.