Chase Freedom Flex card review: Incredible earning with no annual fee
The (see rates and fees) was my first proper rewards card and one I still regularly use today. With strong rotating quarterly categories (activation required), no annual fee and the option to transfer your rewards to Chase’s transfer partners with the right card, the Freedom Flex is a strong contender for one of the best no-annual-fee cards available.
That’s especially true following the removal of foreign transaction fees and the addition of access to select Chase Points Boost offers.
That said, the trade-off of no annual fee is that you won’t get the extensive benefits of a premium rewards card. Instead, the Freedom Flex functions best as an entry point into credit card rewards or as a complement to a broader travel rewards strategy.
Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Chase Freedom Flex: The basics
The is a relatively simple card, making it useful for beginners and those juggling over a dozen credit cards alike.
This card’s standout benefits include:
- Bonus rewards on rotating quarterly categories after activation (subject to a spending cap)
- 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening (then a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.74%)
- Cash-back rewards that can be converted into transferable Ultimate Rewards points when paired with an eligible Chase card
- No foreign transaction fees
Related: 4 reasons why I recommend the Chase Freedom Flex to beginners
Chase Freedom Flex pros and cons
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Chase Freedom Flex benefits
The isn’t a card you should expect substantial benefits from. It’s a no-annual-fee card aimed at entry-level rewards cardholders and anyone looking to boost an existing earning strategy.
The card used to offer cellphone protection, but this perk was removed as part of the recent refresh. While this may be disappointing for some, many other cards offer cellphone protection. Common carriers also often offer cellphone protection as an add-on for your monthly plan, although this may come with additional costs.
On the upside, the Freedom Flex dropping foreign transaction fees is a big plus. I’ve always left my Freedom Flex at home when traveling internationally, since foreign transaction fees can stack up quickly. Now that this is no longer a concern, I plan on bringing my Freedom Flex with me when I travel abroad to take advantage of its quarterly categories (activation required).
Freedom Flex cardholders can now access Chase Points Boost. These offers can make your points worth up to 10% more when redeemed for select hotel bookings through Chase Travel℠, giving cardholders another way to potentially get more value from their rewards without holding a premium Chase card.
This card offers six months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027, a nice offer for anyone who uses this service and doesn’t have DashPass already. After six months, you’ll be automatically enrolled at the current price ($9.99 per month), so make sure to cancel in time if you aren’t interested.
If you have an active DashPass membership, you can get $10 off non-restaurant DoorDash orders each quarter through Dec. 31, 2027.
How to earn and use your rewards
Earning rewards
The is a cash-back card by default, earning rewards at the following rates:
- 5% cash back on Chase Travel bookings
- 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories when you activate (on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter, then 1% back)
- 3% cash back on dining and at drugstores
- 2% cash back on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
The perk you’ll hear me talk about the most on this card is its rotating quarterly bonus categories. These categories are the main reason I still pull this card out multiple times a quarter, despite having seven other unique cards in my wallet.
These categories cover common spending categories. For Q4, grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), dining and American Red Cross donations are the 5% bonus categories. Groceries and dining are high spending categories for most, so there’s a lot of value to be had here.
Since the Freedom Flex already earns bonus rewards on dining, Chase confirmed cardholders will earn 7% cash back on dining for Q4. That’s among the highest rates available for dining purchases.
Chase recently changed their announcement schedule for this card’s quarterly categories. Cardholders will now learn about future categories roughly a quarter in advance rather than only a couple of weeks prior. That’s great for anyone who likes to plan their expenses far in advance.
For Q1 2027, grocery stores will remain a 5% bonus category, marking the first time Chase has offered grocery stores in consecutive quarters. Select streaming services will also return as a quarterly category.
Just remember to activate the quarter’s categories by the 14th of the final month in the quarter. For example, to earn bonus rewards in Q4, you must activate by Dec. 14.
Redeeming rewards
With just the Freedom Flex in your wallet, your rewards can be redeemed for cash back, travel through Chase Travel, statement credits and at Amazon.com or PayPal checkout. Cash back and most Chase Travel redemptions provide a value of 1 cent per point.
You can also use your points toward select hotel bookings through Chase Travel with Points Boost, which can increase their value by up to 10%, to as much as 1.1 cents per point.
However, you can potentially get significantly more value from your rewards if you have an eligible Ultimate Rewards card, such as the (see rates and fees) or (see rates and fees). This is because you can combine your Freedom Flex rewards with that account and then transfer them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
TPG’s September 2026 valuations peg transferable Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece, largely because of the potential value available through these transfer partners.
These partners include my personal favorite, World of Hyatt, and other standout options like Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus. I always combine my Freedom Flex’s rewards with my Sapphire Reserve account. I did this recently to help fund a 28,000-point redemption for a three-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix this fall.
If you don’t have an eligible Ultimate Rewards card, I recommend using your rewards for cash back or statement credits and depositing the money you save into a high-yield savings account.
Potential drawbacks to the Chase Freedom Flex
While the Freedom Flex has a lot to offer in its earning categories and lack of foreign transaction fees, they’re generally the only perks most will be interested in. If you already have a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, this card’s value proposition narrows to just its bonus categories.
This card is best for beginners and those looking to boost their rewards strategy with its earning categories. It won’t offer anything substantial in the way of elite status, lounge access, merchant statement credits or airline perks.
Maximizing the card also requires some effort. You’ll need to activate the rotating categories each quarter and keep track of the $1,500 quarterly spending cap.
If you prefer earning transferable rewards over cash back, you may dislike this card’s redemption limitations. While I’m a big fan of both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve, I also recognize that it’s a downside that a card with an annual fee is required to get the most value from the Freedom Flex’s rewards.
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
If you’re considering a no-annual-fee Chase card, your decision may come down to the and (see rates and fees).
I carry both cards and have found that they complement each other well because they offer different earning structures.
I encourage everyone to open both at some point, since you’ll be able to earn two welcome bonuses and enjoy the unique earning rates across the two cards.
That said, if you’re only considering one at this time, your choice will come down to which card’s earning rates will benefit your wallet more. The Freedom Flex’s claim to fame is its quarterly bonus categories (activation required), while the Freedom Unlimited stands out for its 1.5% cash back earning rate on purchases outside its bonus categories.
Choose the Freedom Flex if you commonly spend in its quarterly bonus categories. Choose the Freedom Unlimited if your wallet lacks a card that earns more than 1% cash back (or 1 point per dollar spent) on nonbonus spending.
To learn more, check out our showdown between the Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited.
Is the Chase Freedom Flex worth it?
Yes, if you see value in the ‘s rotating quarterly categories.
This card is an important part of a wider Ultimate Rewards strategy, since it can earn a lot of extra transferable points on your purchases. Even for someone who prefers cash back, there’s a great opportunity to earn well with this card. If you don’t expect to swipe the Freedom Flex often, there’s likely a better no-annual-fee card out there for you.
When to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex
Right now, new cardholders can earn $250 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This is the best welcome offer we’ve seen on this card in a few years, and the highest cash back bonus ever on this card. That means now is a fantastic time to apply for the Freedom Flex, especially if you have the ability to transfer this bonus’s rewards to Chase’s partners.
Just remember that you aren’t eligible for this offer if you’re a current Freedom Flex cardholder or you’ve earned a bonus on the Freedom Flex in the past 24 months. You’ll also be subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, meaning you more than likely won’t be approved for this card if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months.
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Chase Freedom Flex
If the Freedom Flex isn’t for you, consider one of these cards instead:
- If you want easy-to-use travel and lifestyle perks: The charges a $95 annual fee, but offers perks like an annual $100 credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel and one year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by Dec. 31. To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
- If you want a no-annual-fee card with transferable rewards: The Citi ThankYou points you earn on the (see rates and fees) can be transferred to Citi’s 22 transfer partners, without the need for a higher-tier Citi card. Just keep in mind that your rewards will transfer at a lower ratio without an annual fee Citi card. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Strata.
- If you want a no-annual-fee card that always earns bonus rewards on groceries: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3% cash back on groceries (excluding Walmart and Target), making it a solid choice for those who spend a lot on groceries. To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Savor.
For additional options, check out our picks for the best no-annual-fee cards.
Bottom line
I plan on keeping the Freedom Flex for a long time. Its rotating 5% cash-back categories continue to complement the other cards I carry, and with no annual fee, I don’t have to work hard to justify keeping it.
It’s also an important part of my Chase strategy and one of the reasons I’m able to consistently make great redemptions with Ultimate Rewards points. The recent refresh makes the card even more versatile, thanks to no foreign transaction fees and access to select Points Boost hotel offers through Chase Travel.
The current $250 welcome bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening is the highest fixed cash-back bonus we’ve seen on the card, making the Freedom Flex particularly compelling for those who can take advantage of its rotating categories.
