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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
IssuerBilt / CardlessChase
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Dining_or_groceries)3x1x
Transfer partnersbiltchase-ur
Headline benefits
  • $400 Bilt Travel hotel credit
  • $200 Bilt Cash bonus
  • Priority Pass + 2 guests
  • All Obsidian-tier benefits
  • 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 by Cardless. Stacks $400 hotel + $200 Bilt Cash + the Obsidian benefit set + Priority Pass with 2 guests. For Bilt loyalists who already hit the rent-day game hard, 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 (Bilt / Cardless 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.