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Side-by-side

Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Mastercard Gold Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited comes from Chase at $0/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/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.

FeatureChase Freedom UnlimitedMastercard Gold Card
Annual fee$0$1199
Sign-up bonus$200 bonusNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)$200$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$500 in 3 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerChaseBarclays (Luxury Card)
Card categorycashbacktravel
Best earning category (Travel)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.5% everywhere
  • 5% on travel via Chase
  • 3% dining + drugstores
  • Free if paired with Sapphire
  • $300 airline credit
  • $200 dining credit
  • $120 Global Entry credit
  • 2cpp cash back or airfare
Read the full review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr · $200 bonus
Read the full review
Mastercard Gold Card
$1199/yr · No public welcome offer

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.

Editorial take: Mastercard Gold Card

The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Mastercard Gold Card?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $200 bonus, worth roughly $200, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Gold Card.
Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold Card?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Mastercard Gold Card's $1199 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Mastercard Gold Card's benefits to clear $1199 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Mastercard Gold Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and Barclays (Luxury Card)) 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 Chase Freedom Unlimited or the Mastercard Gold Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Freedom Unlimited: $500 spend in 3 months. Mastercard Gold Card: $0 in 0 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.