Summary Snapshots
When it boils down to racking up cash back on your go-to spending categories, two contenders stand tall: the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If your wallet leans heavily toward dining out and entertainment, Savor tends to hold the upper hand for long-haul usage. Meanwhile, Freedom Unlimited flexes with a heftier welcome bonus and shines on miscellaneous purchases.
Pause and weigh the enduring benefits before pinning your hopes on either card.
Quick Look at What’s on the Table
| Rewards Breakdown |
|
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| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 cash bonus after $500 spent in 3 months | Earn up to $300 cash back in the first year via an extra 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent |
| Intro APR | 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; then variable 19.24%–29.24%. Balance transfer fees of 3% within 15 months, none beyond promotional offers. | 0% intro APR for 15 months; then variable 18.99%–28.49%. Balance transfers incur 3% fee first 60 days, then 5% thereafter. |
| Annual Fee | No annual fee | No annual fee |
How Do These Cards Stack Up?
Both cards pack solid punch in popular segments — dining notably — but your ideal pick hinges on your spending mix and personal reward preferences.
Welcome Bonus Face-Off
Champion: Chase Freedom Unlimited
While Savor hooks you up with a modest $200 bonus after spending $500 within three months — a straightforward target — Freedom Unlimited aims higher. Its sweeter $300 potential bonus unfolds as an additional 1.5% on everything you spend during your inaugural year, up to $20,000, translating to:
- 6.5% back on Chase Travel bookings
- 4.5% back on dining and drugstore buys
- 3% back on all other purchases
Bear in mind, your reward payday hits at year-end, and to max those perks, you’d need to chalk up roughly $1,667 monthly charges. With the right spending cadence, that extra $100 over Savor is within reach.
Rewards Rate Showdown
Champion: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Freedom Unlimited outperforms Savor with a 1.5% back on “everything else” — a boost over Savor’s 1%. For all-around swipers, Freedom’s edge on general purchases can sweeten the deal. However, Savor throws down a rich 3% cash back across dining, entertainment, popular streaming, and grocery shopping (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target). Freedom Unlimited backs dining and drugstore buys with 3% but notably skips out on groceries and entertainment rewards.
Entertainment aficionados who regularly rock concerts can reap a hefty 8% back on shows via Capital One’s Entertainment portal, making Savor a no-brainer if your wallet gravitates towards those categories.
Conversely, if your spending is more of a mixed bag, Freedom Unlimited’s consistent 1.5% on everyday buys and the chance to amplify rewards by pairing with other Chase cards grabbing Ultimate Rewards points could tip the scales.
Annual Fee
Result: Dead Heat
Neither card levies an annual charge, so you’re covered either way on that front.
Foreign Transaction Fee
Winner: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Capital One cards generally waive foreign transaction fees, and Savor stays true to that trend. On the flip side, Freedom Unlimited tacks on a 3% fee for overseas purchases or transactions made through foreign websites involving currency conversion.
If you’re globe-trotting or snagging items internationally often, Savor’s no-foreign-fee policy makes it the smarter pick.
Cash Back Champions: Which Card Reigns Supreme?
Both cards suit jet-setters and social butterflies, but their reward categories highlight differing strengths that may sway your choice.
Savor Cash Rewards vs. Freedom Unlimited: Spending Breakdown
The cash rewards your lifestyle nets vary. A general spender will see a different payout than someone who leans into entertainment and grocery purchases.
| Dining | $400 | $12 | $12 |
| Groceries | $250 | $7.50 | $3.75 |
| Entertainment | $300 | $9 | $4.50 |
| Streaming | $50 | $1.50 | $0.75 |
| Travel (via portal) | $200 | $10 | $10 |
| Drugstore | $70 | $0.70 | $2.10 |
| Miscellaneous | $400 | $4 | $6 |
Here, Freedom Unlimited takes the crown for the opening year thanks to its lucrative sign-up bonus, but Savor nudges ahead in the long haul with slightly superior ongoing rewards.
If your wallet favors miscellaneous purchases over dining or groceries, Freedom Unlimited may ultimately deliver stronger value over time.
Why Opt for Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?
If your spending wheel often lands at grocery aisles, eateries, entertainment hubs, or travel portals, Savor could be your best pal. Here are some extras that might sweeten the pot:
Perks in the Package
- Extended warranty coverage
- Zero liability for fraudulent charges
- Concierge services to streamline your life
- Travel perks like free flight price-drop protection, round-the-clock travel assistance, and accident insurance
- Access to exclusive experiences via Capital One’s entertainment and dining portals
Plus, an enticing introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. A 3% fee on balance transfers applies for the first 15 months — par for the course in this space.
How to Redeem Your Rewards
- Statement credits against your balance
- Direct checks
- Gift cards to your favorite brands
- PayPal transactions
- Purchases on Amazon.com
Bonus: You can also flip your cash back into Capital One travel points at a 1:1 ratio through their travel portal.
Credit Score Needed
Good to excellent credit (670–850) opens the door.
Why Consider Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Freedom Unlimited card is a household name in the points-earning game, packing strong perks and earning potential that scales up as you go.
Extra Features
- Three months of free DashPass subscription, followed by a half-price discount for nine months (activation by 1/31/2025)
- Purchase protection on eligible items
- Extended warranty coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Chase Pay Yourself Back tool for flexible redemption
This card toes the same line as Savor with its 0% intro APR and balance transfer fees (3% or $5 minimum in the first 60 days, then 5%).
Cash Back Redemption Routes
- Statement credit or direct deposit
- Gift cards
- Travel bookings through Chase’s travel portal
- Amazon.com and Apple purchases
- Donations to charity
You can also transfer points to Chase’s premium travel partners to unlock elevated reward values.
Credit Score Needed
The same good-to-excellent credit benchmark (670–850) applies.
The Final Word
Whether Capital One Savor or Chase Freedom Unlimited delivers more bang for your buck pivots on your spending style, lifestyle, and goals. Don’t rush—scrutinize the long game and factor in your habits before staking your claim. For those exploring other avenues, consulting this year’s top-ranked cash back cards can unearth other worthy contenders.
Bonus Factbite
According to recent data, average US household credit card spending hovers around $7,000 annually. Cards that offer 3%+ back on key categories like dining and groceries can effectively put hundreds of dollars back into your pocket each year, making category-specific rewards like Savor’s particularly valuable for higher spenders.