Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Reserve
Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr
7.5/10
VS
Sapphire Reserve
$795/yr
7.0/10
Quick Answer
Freedom Unlimited charges no annual fee with 2X base rewards. Sapphire Reserve charges $795/yr with 1X base rewards. Freedom Unlimited offers better overall value for most spenders when comparing fees, rewards, and benefits side by side.
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Winner by Category
Annual Fees
Freedom Unlimited
Lower annual fee ($0 vs $795)
Rewards Earning
Sapphire Reserve
5 earning categories
Benefits & Protection
Sapphire Reserve
12 benefits vs 7
Statement Credits
Sapphire Reserve
$2348 in annual credits
Flexibility
Sapphire Reserve
Transferable points to airline/hotel partners
OUR PICK
Freedom Unlimited wins for most people
The $795 fee difference is hard to justify unless you maximize premium benefits.
Apply for Freedom UnlimitedPREMIUM PICK
Sapphire Reserve wins for heavy spenders
If you can offset the higher fee with credits and perks, this card delivers more value.
Apply for Sapphire ReserveRewards Earning: Detailed Comparison
Freedom Unlimited
| Chase Travel purchases | 5.0X |
| Dining including takeout and delivery | 3.0X |
| Drugstore purchases | 3.0X |
| Everything else | 1.5X |
Sapphire Reserve
| Chase Travel purchases including The Edit | 8.0X |
| Flights booked directly with airlines | 4.0X |
| Hotels booked directly | 4.0X |
| Dining worldwide | 3.0X |
| All other purchases | 1.0X |
Card Benefits: Detailed Comparison
Freedom Unlimited (7 benefits)
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance (up to $1,500)
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
- Auto Rental Coverage (Secondary)
- Purchase Protection (up to $500)
- Extended Warranty Protection
- Cell Phone Protection (up to $800)
- Travel Accident Insurance (up to $500,000)
Sapphire Reserve (12 benefits)
- Emergency Medical and Dental (up to $2,500)
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement (up to $3,000)
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance (up to $10,000)
- Trip Delay Reimbursement (up to $500)
- Baggage Delay Insurance (up to $100)
- Primary Auto Rental Coverage (up to $75,000)
- Purchase Protection (up to $10,000)
- Extended Warranty Protection
- Emergency Evacuation/Transportation (up to $100,000)
- Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounges (up to $469)
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS Credit (up to $120)
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status