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The Chase Freedom Flex is a versatile cash-back card designed for people who want to maximize their rewards in different spending categories throughout the year. What sets the Freedom Flex apart from other credit cards is its unique combination of rotating 5% cashback categories, fixed bonus categories, and Chase’s powerful Ultimate Rewards program.
Quick Facts:
The Chase Freedom Flex card is part of the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, meaning that you can combine your cashback with other Chase cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, for even more travel and rewards potential.
The Chase Freedom Flex is famous for its 5% cashback on rotating categories, which change every quarter. Cardholders can earn 5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter by activating the offer. While the categories are typically common household expenses, such as groceries, gas stations, or streaming services, the rotating structure adds an element of planning to ensure you maximize your rewards.
Here’s a breakdown of the Chase Freedom Flex’s rewards structure:
Chase Freedom Flex’s cashback rewards can be redeemed in several ways, including:
The ability to convert cashback into travel points makes Chase Freedom Flex highly flexible, especially when paired with other Chase cards.
The Chase Freedom Flex goes beyond simple cashback, offering a range of valuable benefits that enhance the card’s appeal. Here are the top benefits of the Chase Freedom Flex:
New cardholders can earn a $200 cashback bonus after spending just $500 within the first 3 months. This is an excellent bonus considering there’s no annual fee, and the minimum spending requirement is low compared to other cards.
The Chase Freedom Flex offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. This is perfect for cardholders looking to finance a large purchase or transfer existing credit card debt. After the introductory period, the APR will range from 20.24% to 28.99% variable, based on your creditworthiness.
Despite being a no-annual-fee card, the Freedom Flex offers an impressive array of protections, including:
Chase cardholders get access to Chase Offers, a feature that provides discounts and cashback opportunities at select retailers. This can range from local stores to major online retailers, providing cardholders with ongoing opportunities to save.
While the Chase Freedom Flex has many appealing benefits, it’s also important to consider the fees and rates associated with the card.
The 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers makes this card an excellent choice if you need to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance from a higher-interest credit card. However, the 3% foreign transaction feemeans it’s not the best choice for frequent travelers abroad.
How does the Chase Freedom Flex stack up against other popular credit cards in the market? Let’s take a look:
Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash Credit Card here.
The Citi Double Cash card offers a flat 2% cashback on all purchases—1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay. While this simplicity may appeal to those who prefer not to deal with rotating categories, the Freedom Flex provides more earning potential with its 5% rotating categories and 3% on dining and drugstores.
Chase Freedom Flex wins if:
Citi Double Cash wins if:
Read our review of the Discover it Cash Back Card here.
The Discover it Cash Back card also offers 5% cashback on rotating categories, but with a key difference: Discover will match all the cashback you’ve earned at the end of your first year, essentially doubling your rewards. However, Discover’s rotating categories may not always align with your spending habits.
Chase Freedom Flex wins if:
Discover it Cash Back wins if:
Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card here.
If you’re already in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, you might be wondering how the Freedom Flex compares to the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The Sapphire Preferred is a travel-focused card that offers 2x points on travel and dining, and 25% more value when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Chase Freedom Flex wins if:
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins if:
The Chase Freedom Flex is an ideal card for cashback enthusiasts who want to maximize their earnings in rotating categories, while also enjoying fixed rewards on dining, drugstores, and travel. It’s particularly valuable for people who are already in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem or those looking for a no-annual-fee card with robust travel and purchase protections.
However, if you prefer simplicity in your rewards structure or you frequently travel internationally, you may want to consider other options, such as flat-rate cashback cards or travel cards with no foreign transaction fees.
The Chase Freedom Flex is an outstanding card for those looking to earn high cashback on a variety of purchases, without the burden of an annual fee. With its rotating 5% cashback categories, fixed 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on travel booked through Chase, it offers diverse earning opportunities for a wide range of consumers.
Its standout benefits, such as purchase protection, cell phone insurance, and trip cancellation coverage, make it a well-rounded card even beyond its cashback potential. While the need to activate quarterly categories might be a downside for some, the overall earning potential and the card’s flexibility with Chase Ultimate Rewards make it a top contender for most shoppers.
Whether you’re new to cashback credit cards or looking to add a powerful rewards card to your lineup, the Chase Freedom Flex deserves a place in your wallet.
Affiliate and Relationship Disclosure: Credit Mileage may receive compensation from affiliate links included in this post at no extra cost to you. This helps support our mission of providing quality financial education and resources. Additionally, Credit Mileage has a direct business relationship with eCreditAdvisor, which may be mentioned or linked in our content. Our opinions and recommendations remain our own, and we only promote products or services that we believe offer value to our readers. We currently do not have any credit card affiliate links on our website.
Editorial note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card company, airline, or hotel chain. None of these organizations have reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content in any way.
Legal and Financial Advice Disclosure: Credit Mileage is not a law firm, and this article is not intended to provide legal or financial advice. This information is meant purely for educational purposes. We strive to offer accurate and up-to-date information, but it is not a substitute for professional financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or financial advisor before making any decisions regarding your financial situation.
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