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Side-by-side
Capital One Spark Cash vs Chase Freedom Unlimited
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/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 Capital One Spark Cash is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($800 more in estimated value) than the Chase Freedom Unlimited's. Get the Capital One Spark Cash first; revisit the Chase Freedom Unlimited after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | Chase Freedom Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | $200 bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Chase |
| Card category | business | cashback |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | chase-ur |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Capital One Spark Cash
$95/yr · $1,000 cash bonus
Read the full review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr · $200 bonus
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, Capital One Spark Cash or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
- The Capital One Spark Cash has the bigger bonus, $1,000 cash bonus, worth roughly $1,000, versus $200 bonus (~$200) on the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash 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 Capital One Spark Cash 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 Spark Cash or the Chase Freedom Unlimited first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 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.