Chase Freedom Flex Card Review
The Chase Freedom Flex card was designed for the everyday buyer and offers high reward rates. If you love getting every dollar matched to a point, this card is right up your alley. This card is ideal if you are looking for maximum rewards, benefits, and bonuses.
Our Verdict
Best Suited for:
Always-on-the-road
Travel is your middle name. When you aren’t taking advantage of transit for your daily commute in the form of cabs, rideshares and trains, you are looking for a weekend escape. And if there is an opportunity to go somewhere, you take it. You are into earning miles, getting hotel upgrades, eating out and making sure your car is always fueled.
Foodie
If there is a new restaurant opening, you are there. You are all about the latest food fusion trend no one has heard of and putting it on the map. You love finding the best new restaurant but also like to go to your old standbys and earning cash back for all. And when you aren’t finding the best new restaurant, you are experimenting with recipes at home, so you also need a good card for reaping the rewards of grocery shopping.
Pros | Cons |
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No annual fee | Requires good/excellent credit |
Bonus categories | Complicated rewards |
New cardholder bonus offer | |
Cash rewards |
Comparing Chase Freedom Flex with similar cards
Chase Freedom Flex®
Citi® Custom CashSM
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Beyond the basics
Balance transfer intro APR | 20.24%-28.99% based on your creditworthiness. |
Cash advance APR | 28.99% |
Foreign transaction fees | 3% of each transaction |
Loan APR | 20.24%-28.99% |
Late payment fee | up to $40 |
Penalty APR | Up to 28.99% |
Credit score required | 670+ |
Other offers
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Zero liability protetcionMeans you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
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Purchase protectionCovers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
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Extended warranty protectionExtends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
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Trip cancellation/interruption insuranceYou can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations.
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24×7 fraud protectionSafeguard your account using real-time monitoring for possible signs of fraudulent activity.
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Fraud alertsIn the case of unusual activity, Chase can notify you by phone, text*Same page link to Offer Details or email.
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Auto rental collision damage waiverDecline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is provided for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad. In the U.S., coverage is secondary to your personal insurance.
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Travel and emergency assistance servicesIf you run into a problem away from home, call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel emergency assistance. (You will be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.)
What we like about this card
Rotating bonus categories
Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter after activation.
Introductory offers
Enjoy a $200 bonus after spending a certain amount within the first few months of account opening (check current offers for specifics) along with 5% on gas and grocery purchases on up to $12,000 in your first year.
No annual fee
This card doesn't charge an annual fee, making it cost-effective.
Travel and purchase protection
Offers various travel and purchase protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and purchase protection.
Drawbacks and considerations
Rotating categories activation
Requires quarterly activation to earn the 5% cash back in bonus categories, which might involve remembering to opt in. You can opt in at any time during the period but forgetting from the starting point means missing out on rewards.
Credit card activation requirements
To maximize rewards, one must stay updated with the changing categories and adapt spending habits accordingly.
Foreign transaction fees
Charges a 3% fee for transactions made outside the U.S., which can add to costs for international travelers.
Credit requirements
Approval may require a good to excellent credit score, which could be a consideration for some applicants.
How to decide if this card is right for you
Evaluate your spending habits
To determine if the Chase Freedom Flex card aligns with your financial goals, start by evaluating your spending habits. If you appreciate earning higher rewards in changing categories, the 5% cash back on rotating categories might appeal to you specifically if they align with your spending habits. However, keep in mind that these categories require quarterly activation, which could be a consideration if you prefer a more consistent rewards structure that doesn’t require remembering to opt in.
Assess the sign-up bonus
Assess the sign-up bonus offered and consider the absence of an annual fee, which adds to its appeal as a cost-effective option.
Determine your travel needs
If you travel abroad frequently, note that this card does has foreign transaction fees of 3% on purchases.
Compare with other similar cards
Additionally, compare this card with others in the market and read reviews from various sources to gather insights before making a decision. Ultimately, weighing these factors against your spending patterns and preferences will help determine if the Chase Freedom Flex card is the right fit for you.
Found a perfect pair
Methodology
Credello’s credit card reviews aim to provide readers with clear and unbiased information to help them choose the right credit card that aligns with their financial goals and needs. Our methodology emphasizes transparency, disclosure of any potential biases, and regular updates to ensure the information remains relevant and accurate for readers.The methodology used to review the best Wells Fargo Credit Cards relied on a number of factors, with the most prominent of those being:
- Assess the interest rates charged on outstanding balances.
- Evaluate the cost of owning the credit card, including any annual fees.
- Examine rewards programs, cashback offers, travel perks, and other cardholder benefits.
- Analyze introductory APR, balance transfer offers, and sign-up bonuses.
- Consider the card’s credit limit and its suitability for different financial needs.
- Review late fees, foreign transaction fees, and other charges.
- Determine the credit score needed to qualify for the card.
- Research the quality and accessibility of customer support.
- Assess security measures such as fraud protection and chip technology.
The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.
FAQs
Yes, the Chase Freedom Flex card does have foreign transaction fees of 3%. When using this card for purchases made outside of the United States, there is a fee imposed on each transaction, which can impact the rewards earned.
A good to excellent credit score is typically required to qualify for the Chase Freedom Flex. A credit score above 670 is generally recommended, but approval also considers other factors like income, existing debts, and overall creditworthiness.
The approval timeline for the Chase Freedom Flex card can vary. Some applicants may receive instant approval upon applying online, while others might require additional review, which could take several days to a few weeks. If instant approval isn’t provided, applicants will receive a notification either by email or mail regarding the status of their application.
The minimum credit limit for the Chase Freedom Flex card can vary widely based on individual credit profiles. Factors such as credit history, income, and other financial details influence the assigned credit limit. Typically, the credit limit may range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, with a strong credit history contributing to a higher limit.
At a Glance
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