Chase Freedom Flex
Bottom Line:
Chase Freedom Flex®
ANNUAL FEE: $0
REWARDS RATES: 1%-5% Cash Back
INTRO OFFER: $200
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE: 690-850
(Good – Excellent)
Unlike all other cards in it’s category, the Chase Freedom Flex Card is versatile in the fact that it has solidified bonus categories that are not subject to change, along with rotating bonuses per quarter.
As one of the most lucrative cards in the market, the bonuses require a bit of tracking and maintenance. If you want an attention void card, the Freedom Flex card might not be for you.
At a glance
| Chase Freedom Flex | |
Annual Fee | – $0 |
Sign-Up Bonus | – Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. |
Ongoing rewards | – 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter. Activation of bonus categories is required. – 5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards® – 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery services. – 3% back on drugstore purchases. – For all cardholders, through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app. – 1% on all other purchases. |
Foreign transaction fee | – 3% |
APR | – APR: 20.49%-29.24% Variable APR – Cash Advance APR: 29.99%, Variable – Penalty APR: 29.99%, Variable |
Value of points redeemed through chase rewards | – 0.8 – 1 cent per point (Varies on Q1-4 Bonus rewards) |
Rotating Bonuses | – Coming December ’23 |
Limited Time Offers | – None |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Bonus categories
- Cash rewards
- Intro APR period
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Complicated rewards
Introduction to the Chase Freedom Flex® Card
The Chase Freedom Flex® Card is one of the most popular cashback credit cards on the market, offering generous rewards, rotating 5% bonus categories, and flexible redemption options. As part of Chase’s Freedom lineup, the Freedom Flex® is a great option for those looking to earn cashback on everyday purchases while also benefiting from an introductory 0% APR offer and valuable perks.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about the Chase Freedom Flex®, including its rewards structure, benefits, fees, and how it compares to other popular cashback cards.
Key Features of the Chase Freedom Flex® Card
The Chase Freedom Flex® stands out due to its rotating 5% cashback categories, along with fixed rewards categoriesthat cover travel, dining, and drugstores. Here’s a detailed look at what this card offers:
1. Generous Cashback Rewards
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers an impressive rewards structure that combines both rotating bonus categories and fixed earning rates:
- 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter in rotating bonus categories (activation required).
- 5% cashback on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 3% cashback on dining, including takeout and delivery.
- 3% cashback on drugstore purchases.
- 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases.
This flexible rewards structure allows cardholders to maximize earnings on both everyday spending and special categories that change each quarter.
2. $200 Sign-Up Bonus
New cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months. This is an excellent welcome offer for a no-annual-fee cashback card.
3. 0% Intro APR Offer
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period ends, a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% applies. This makes the card a great choice for those looking to finance a large purchase or transfer existing credit card debt.
4. No Annual Fee
The Chase Freedom Flex® has no annual fee, making it a great long-term option for cashback rewards without the added cost.
5. Travel and Purchase Protections
Cardholders enjoy valuable travel and purchase protections, including:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary coverage)
- Purchase protection (covers new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per claim)
- Extended warranty protection (extends eligible warranties by an additional year)
These protections add significant value, especially for those who travel frequently or make big-ticket purchases.
6. Cell Phone Protection
When you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the Chase Freedom Flex®, you’ll get up to $800 in cell phone protection per claim (maximum of $1,000 per year, with a $50 deductible per claim). This is a great perk for anyone looking to protect their device without paying for additional insurance.
7. Chase Ultimate Rewards® Redemption Options
The Chase Freedom Flex® earns cashback in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be redeemed for:
- Statement credits or direct deposits
- Travel bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Gift cards
- Paying with points at Amazon and Apple
If you also have a premium Chase card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer your Freedom Flex® points to those accounts and redeem them for even higher value on travel.
How to Maximize Rewards with the Chase Freedom Flex®
To get the most value from your Chase Freedom Flex® Card, follow these tips:
1. Activate the 5% Cashback Categories Every Quarter
Since the 5% bonus categories change every three months, make sure you activate them in your Chase account. Activation is quick and easy, and missing it means leaving valuable cashback on the table.
2. Use Chase Ultimate Rewards® for Travel
Booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® allows you to earn 5% cashback, making it one of the best ways to maximize rewards for travel expenses.
3. Pair with Other Chase Cards
If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer your points from the Freedom Flex® to those cards. This lets you redeem them for travel at a higher rate or transfer them to airline and hotel partners.
4. Pay Your Cell Phone Bill with the Card
Using the Chase Freedom Flex® for your monthly cell phone bill can give you valuable protection against damage and theft.
5. Use It for Dining and Drugstores
Since the Freedom Flex® earns 3% cashback on dining and drugstores, use it for restaurant meals, takeout, and prescriptions to maximize rewards in these fixed categories.
Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Other Cashback Cards
How does the Chase Freedom Flex® compare to other popular cashback cards?
Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
| Feature | Chase Freedom Flex® | Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
|---|---|---|
| 5% Rotating Categories | Yes | No |
| 5% on Travel Through Chase | Yes | Yes |
| 3% on Dining & Drugstores | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited 1.5% Cashback | No | Yes |
| Best For | Maximizing rotating categories | Simple, flat-rate rewards |
Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Discover it® Cash Back
| Feature | Chase Freedom Flex® | Discover it® Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| 5% Rotating Categories | Yes | Yes |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 | Cashback Match (doubles first-year earnings) |
| 3% on Dining & Drugstores | Yes | No |
| Best For | More earning categories | First-year cashback match |
Who Should Get the Chase Freedom Flex® Card?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is best for:
✔ Maximizing cashback rewards with 5% rotating categories.
✔ Travelers who book through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
✔ Diners and grocery shoppers looking for 3% cashback on dining and drugstore purchases.
✔ People looking for a no-annual-fee card with strong perks.
✔ Chase ecosystem users who want to pair this card with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Reserve® for more valuable travel redemptions.
Bottom Line: Is the Chase Freedom Flex® Worth It?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is one of the best cashback credit cards available today. With 5% rotating categories, fixed 3% rewards on dining and drugstores, 5% on travel, and no annual fee, it offers an unbeatable combination of versatility and value.
Whether you’re looking for a strong everyday cashback card or a complement to other Chase cards, the Chase Freedom Flex® is a must-have for savvy spenders.
