Credit Cards Cash-Back Credit Cards

Chase Freedom Flex Review 2023

overall rating
4.2

Several High-Earning Rewards Categories and Other Benefits

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

The Chase Freedom Flex credit card earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining including takeout and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. This card also has a one-time bonus and other worthwhile benefits.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card

Overall Rating
4.2
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
On Chase's Secured Site.
Current Offer

Earn $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Recommended Credit
Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.
350 579
580 669
670 739
740 799
800 850
Good - Excellent
Regular APR (%) 19.99% - 28.74% variable
Annual Fee $0
Rewards Earning Rate Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining including takeout and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
INTRO PURCHASE APR 0% for 15 Months
INTRO BALANCE TRANSFER APR 0% for 15 Months
Balance Transfer Fee Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee (%) 3%
how this card stacks up
When compared among all rewards cards in our database:
Rewards
Benefits
Low Fees
Security/Customer Experience
Low Interest
worst best

The Chase Freedom Flex card is not currently one of our top-rated cash-back credit cards. Please see the list of our best cash back credit cards to see what we feel are better options.

Full Review of the Chase Freedom Flex Card

Pros
  • Several high-earning rewards categories

  • Substantial one-time bonus for a no-annual-fee card

  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

  • Cell phone insurance protection

Cons
  • Charges foreign transaction fees

  • Mediocre earning rate on all other purchases

  • Must activate quarterly rotating 5% cash-back categories

  • 5% cash back in rotating categories is limited

Pros Explained

  • Several high-earning rewards categories: This card features several categories that earn more than the 1% base cash-back rate. Those include 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, and earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase. Also, 3% on dining including takeout and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • Substantial one-time bonus for a no-annual-fee card: The card offers a pretty great bonus. You can earn $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months. Compared with other no-annual-fee cards, this is very generous.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: This benefit provides reimbursement of up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable passenger fares. To qualify, you must pay for your trip with the card, and your trip must be canceled or cut short for a covered reason. Those include illness, severe weather, and more.
  • Cell phone insurance protection: You’re insured for up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year against covered theft or damage to phones listed on your monthly cell phone bill when you pay that bill with the card. There is a $50 deductible per claim and a two-claim limit per 12-month period.

Cons Explained

  • Charges foreign transaction fees: The Chase Freedom Flex credit card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. Several other no-annual-fee credit cards do not charge these fees, which can quickly add up if you travel internationally.
  • Mediocre earning rate on all other purchases: This card earns just 1% cash back on all other purchases. However, given its higher cash-back earning rates in certain categories, along with its other benefits, that isn’t a huge drawback.
  • Must activate quarterly rotating 5% cash-back categories: To earn 5% cash back in the bonus rotating quarterly categories, you need to activate this benefit each quarter. You can set a calendar reminder so you don’t forget to do this, but it does require some extra work.
  • 5% cash back on rotating categories is limited: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Also, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining including takeout and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

Who This Card Is Best For

The Chase Freedom Flex card could be a good fit for those who want to earn cash back or Ultimate Rewards points in a wide variety of categories. The one-time bonus adds even more value for a no-annual-fee credit card.

When you consider all of the ancillary benefits this card offers, such as cell phone protection and trip cancellation and interruption insurance, it stands out as one of the better options in the no-annual-fee credit card space. However, people who don’t want to be bothered with rotating bonus categories or don’t regularly spend money in the higher-earning categories may find that more straightforward cards could be a better fit.

Chase Freedom Flex One-Time Bonus

You can earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases with the Chase Freedom Flex card in the first three months from account opening. The one-time bonus is deposited into your rewards account as 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points. This bonus offer is decent for a no-annual-fee credit card, and the spending requirement is also reasonable.

Chase says the bonus should post to your Ultimate Rewards account within six to eight weeks after qualifying. Your account cannot be in default and must be open to qualify. Current cardholders—and those who previously had this card and received a bonus within the past 24 months—don't qualify for the bonus.

Rewards Earning Details

The Chase Freedom Flex earns cash back in the form of Ultimate Rewards points. The percentage of your purchases are converted and saved as a number of Ultimate Rewards points at a rate of 1 point per 1% charged. This card has 5% bonus cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R), a premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.

You can also earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate and earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase. Also, earn 3% on dining including takeout and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

Any points you've earned do not expire as long as your account remains open. You can automatically lose points if your account is closed for misuse, fraud, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or certain other reasons.

Rewards Redemption Details

You can redeem the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you earn with this card in many ways. Options include cash back in the form of a statement credit or direct deposit, gift cards, travel, and pay with points for Amazon and Apple purchases.

Points redeemed for cash back and travel through this card are worth one cent each. Points redeemed for gift cards are generally worth one cent each but can be worth more if a gift card promotion is in effect. Redeeming points through pay with points results in a value of 0.8 cents per point for Amazon purchases, which can be convenient but is a lower rate than converting for cash at 1 point = 1 cent.

Transferring Points

The Chase Freedom Flex card does not allow you to transfer points directly to other loyalty programs. However, the Ultimate Rewards points it earns can, in some instances, be combined with other Ultimate Rewards cards’ balances. For example, if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card, you can combine your Ultimate Rewards points from the Chase Freedom Flex with one of those cards, which will let you transfer points to participating loyalty programs.

How to Maximize Your Rewards

Maximizing your rewards with this card is a matter of earning as many Ultimate Rewards points as possible and then redeeming them for the most value. So you’ll want to use the card for purchases in its higher earning categories and keep an eye on the rotating quarterly categories.

As far as redeeming points, you’ll usually be best off combining your Chase Freedom Flex’s Ultimate Rewards points with the points on a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card. Those cards allow you to transfer your points to participating loyalty programs and redeem them for travel at higher rates when booked through Ultimate Rewards.

If you don’t have one of those other Chase credit cards, make sure you redeem your points for a value of at least one cent per point. You can achieve this by requesting a statement credit or cash back, shopping at Apple, or booking travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. Gift cards typically offer a value of one cent per point, but some may have higher redemption values from time to time. Avoid lower value options, such as redeeming points at Amazon for 0.8 cents per point.

Chase Freedom Flex’s Outstanding Benefits

  • Cell phone insurance protection
  • Trip cancellation or interruption insurance

Standard Benefits

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver secondary coverage
  • Extended warranty protection
  • Mastercard World Elite program benefits
  • Purchase protection

Cardholder Experience

Chase ranked fourth out of 11 national card issuers, with a score of 807 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study. The average score was 809.

While you don’t have to be a Chase Freedom Flex cardholder to use this service, Chase offers access to your VantageScore 3.0 credit score along with other useful credit information on the Chase Credit Journey web pages.

You can manage your account online, using the Chase mobile app, or by calling 800-432-3117. 

Security Features

This card’s security features fall in line with normal industry standards.

Fees to Watch Out For

The Chase Freedom Flex doesn’t charge an annual fee, but it does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee. Balance transfer fees of 3% or $5, whichever is greater, and cash advance fees of 5% or $10, whichever is greater, are higher than on some competing cards.

Final Verdict

The Chase Freedom Flex is one of the better no-annual-fee cards available today. It offers several higher-earning cash-back categories, but its 1% cash back on all other purchases isn’t anything special. The one-time bonus adds significant value to the card as well.

The card’s additional benefits, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, cell phone protection, and others, offer excellent value for a no-annual-fee credit card. On the downside, the card also charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, making it less than ideal for frequent international travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chase Freedom Flex hard to get?

The Chase Freedom Flex rewards card may be hard to get if your credit is bad or fair. If you have good to excellent credit, you may find it easier to get approved. If you've already been pre-approved for a Freedom Flex card, then you'll know you at least meet Chase's minimum requirements for this card.

What is the credit limit on Chase Freedom Flex?

If you're approved for a Freedom Flex card, your credit limit for Chase Freedom Flex will be at least $500. You may qualify for a much higher limit depending on your credit history.

Is Chase Freedom Flex good for beginners?

The Chase Freedom Flex can be a good card for beginners, especially those who want to dip their toes in the world of cash-back rewards. Just keep in mind that you'll need a strong enough credit history to qualify for the card. If you're just starting out, you might choose a secured card instead.

Does Chase Freedom Flex automatically increase your credit limit?

You shouldn't count on an automatic increase to your credit limit with the Chase Freedom Flex, but you can always call the number on the back of your card if you'd like to request one. Be prepared to provide your current income information and the amount of increase you're requesting.

Next Steps
For Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
on Chase's Secured Site.
Compare This Card
See how this card compares to similar cards
CURRENT CARD
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
overall rating
4.2
Recommended Credit
Score Our recommended ranges are based off of the FICO® Score 8 credit-scoring model. Credit score is one of the many factors lenders review in considering your application.
350 579
580 669
670 739
740 799
800 850
Good - Excellent
Regular APR (%) 19.99% - 28.74% variable
Annual Fee $0
Rewards Earning Rate Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining including takeout and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
Investopedia Credit Card Rating Methodology
Investopedia is committed to delivering the best credit card recommendations in the industry. We’ll tell you when a card is good, we’ll tell you when a card is bad, and we’ll only call a card the best if we would recommend it to our friends or family members.
Overall Star Rating Explained
To rate credit cards we objectively assess, score and weight nearly 100 individual card features which roll up into five major feature sets: fees, interest, rewards, benefits and security/customer service. Here’s how we weighted those feature sets for the overall star rating of a card:
We have applied our proprietary rating methodology to every generally-accepted credit card in the U.S. domestic market to allow consumers to make fully informed choices. It’s important to note that for our overall score that we make a number of assumptions about how you would be using your credit card:
  1. While we make no assumption as to whether balances are carried on a given card we do assign varying weights to all credit cards’ introductory APR (if present) in addition to the regular, long term purchase and balance transfer interest rates.
  2. We utilize BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) income and average category spending data to calculate annual earnings rates for rewards cards that offer cash back, points or miles rewards at a set rate on all spending or in consideration of bonus rewards for certain spending categories, like gasoline, groceries, restaurants or travel.
  3. We determine the maximum points value of rewards cards by dividing the points, cash back or miles required to exchange for the retail price of the most valuable redemption option (for example, in the case of a card that offers a domestic roundtrip airline ticket as a redemption option vs. another redemption option of lesser value that requires the same amount of points or miles to acquire, we would base the rewards value on the airline ticket).
  • Cards that are selected best overall in their respective categories generally feature most if not all of the following attributes:
  • Low or Reasonable Fees Credit card fees come in many forms but the primary ones involve those for annual card membership and balance transfer. There are a myriad of reward and non-reward card options that charge no annual fee but for the many that do assess an annual fee the cost is often justified by their lucrative ongoing rewards and initial signup bonuses. Balance transfer fees are occasionally waived during introductory periods with certain cards, a factor which is heavily and positively weighted in our scoring model for cards offering this benefit. When charged, balance transfer fees range between 3% - 5%, which we grade accordingly. Other standard fees can generally be avoided, such as those for paying late or taking cash advances but we rate those relative to other cards in the market for reference, though with less weight assigned
  • Competitive Interest Many cards offer 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for varying lengths and then revert to a permanent or regular APR (based on a variable rate tied to the prime rate) that applies to any balances not paid in full. We rate both introductory APR percentage and length (in months) along with the midpoint of the variable regular APR interest rate range.
  • Valuable Rewards Credit card reward programs can be based on cash back, points or travel rewards (which can be generic or travel partner-specific, as with airline and hotel co-brand card programs). For cards that offer rewards we determine the value per dollar spent along with average redemption values and assign more favorable ratings to cards that offer superior consumer value. We also assign value to sign-up bonus offers and their initial spending requirements, when present.
  • Excellent Benefits Credit card benefits cover a range of offerings like concierge service, TSA Pre-check, auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance, lost luggage assistance and free credit scores. We rate cards on the number and level of over a dozen standard and upscale benefits and provide extra weighting emphasis for those travel-related perks that apply to premium travel cards when present.
  • Solid Security/Customer Service Security and customer service features like lost or stolen card replacement, being able to lock one’s card from an issuer app and 24 hour customer support are becoming more standard across the card market and we provide a significant amount of weighting to features in this area.
  • You can also read the full version of our methodology for a more in-depth look at how we assess cards and award them the best in various categories.