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Side-by-side

Capital One Savor vs Chase Freedom Unlimited

Both are cashback travel cards. The Capital One Savor comes from Capital One at $0/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

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureCapital One SavorChase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus$250 cash back$200 bonus
Bonus value (est.)$250$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$500 in 3 mo$500 in 3 mo
IssuerCapital OneChase
Card categorycashbackcashback
Best earning category (Dining)3x3x
Transfer partnersNonechase-ur
Headline benefits
  • 3% dining + entertainment
  • 3% grocery + streaming
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 1.5% everywhere
  • 5% on travel via Chase
  • 3% dining + drugstores
  • Free if paired with Sapphire
Read the full review
Capital One Savor
$0/yr · $250 cash back
Read the full review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr · $200 bonus

Editorial take: Capital One Savor

If you care about dining and groceries, this is one of the best no-fee cards available. 3% on four of your biggest categories with zero annual cost is hard to beat.

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.

The real-world take

TL;DR. Two $0 cards aimed at different spend profiles. Savor earns 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries (uncapped). Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% everywhere, 3% dining, 3% drugstores, 5% Chase Travel. Savor wins on category breadth at 3%. Freedom Unlimited wins when paired with a Sapphire because cash back becomes transferable Ultimate Rewards.

The three dimensions that actually decide it. First, category breadth. Savor's 3% on four categories (dining, entertainment, streaming, groceries) is broader than Freedom Unlimited's 3% on two (dining, drugstores). Second, transfer potential. Freedom Unlimited points combine with a Sapphire for transfer access (Hyatt, United). Savor's cash back is cash. Third, catch-all. Freedom Unlimited's 1.5x on everything beats Savor's 1x on non-bonus spend.

Real customer scenario for each. If you spend $600 a month on dining and groceries combined and do not have a Sapphire, Savor earns roughly $216 a year on those categories alone in cash. If instead you already hold a Sapphire and want to maximize transferable points across all spend, Freedom Unlimited's 1.5% on non-bonus spend converts to UR points at meaningful redemption value.

The trap to avoid. Choosing one as your "everywhere" card without checking which other cards you hold. Savor is stronger standalone; Freedom Unlimited is stronger as a Chase trifecta companion. Context matters more than the cards in isolation.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Savor or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Capital One Savor has the bigger bonus, $250 cash back, worth roughly $250, versus $200 bonus (~$200) on the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Is the Capital One Savor's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Capital One Savor has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Chase Freedom Unlimited's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Chase Freedom Unlimited's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Capital One Savor.
Can I have both the Capital One Savor and Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One 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 Capital One Savor or the Chase Freedom Unlimited first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Savor: $500 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.