The default cashback card for anyone who does not want to think about which card to use. One-and-a-half percent on everything is the floor, three on dining and drugstores is the floor that quietly compounds, and zero annual fee makes it impossible to lose money on. If you graduate to a Sapphire Preferred later, the points combine. Few cards survive that test.
What you actually earn
Who this card is for
Wants one card to cover everything, doesn't travel internationally (the 3% foreign-transaction fee disqualifies it abroad), values simplicity over optimization.
The compliance footnote
The Freedom Unlimited carries a $0 annual fee with an APR range of 19.49–28.24% Variable. Foreign-transaction fee is 3%. The current signup offer is $200 cash back after $500 in 3 months. These terms are accurate as of 2026-05-03 and may change at the issuer's discretion. The Apply link goes directly to the issuer; picksbycard is independent and does not earn a commission on card approvals.