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Chase Freedom Flex® Review: Huge Value and $0 Annual Fee

Review Updated
Joel O'Leary
Author: Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Full-Time Personal Finance Writer

Joel is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, where he brings a clear, approachable voice to topics ranging from credit cards to side hustles. He’s been writing about money since 2018, covering topics like credit cards, savings hacks, and the FIRE movement. Before joining the team, he managed editorial content for the How To Money podcast. When he’s not behind the laptop, Joel is likely at the beach surfing, or out and about with his family.

See Full Bio

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

Technically, Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) is a "cash back" card. But I've always seen it as a low-key travel rewards card because one of its strongest features in my opinion is the 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. That's a pretty rare perk for a no-annual-fee card, and one of the reasons I really like this card.

I'm also a big fan of Chase in general. They've been my go-to bank for over a decade. Not just for credit cards, but for my checking, savings, and even old business accounts.

Let's dive into everything I like (and some things I don't like) about the Chase Freedom Flex® card.

Ratings Methodology

Chase Freedom Flex®

Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Chase Freedom Flex®
4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months

Regular APR

18.99% - 28.49% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

5% cash back offer

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!

$200 bonus

  • This Chase card is one of our favorites, and with good reason. You earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, alongside other standout perks (and at least 1% on all purchases). Plus, this one comes without an annual fee and with a generous welcome bonus.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Lucrative cash back program
    • Long 0% intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • Purchase and travel protections
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
    • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
    • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
    • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
    • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99%-28.49%.
    • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
    • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
    • Member FDIC

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

What I like about the Chase Freedom Flex

The Chase Freedom Flex® is an entry-level Chase card. But it's actually packed with value and a perfect everyday card for beginners, or really just anyone who doesn't want to worry about annual fees.

Here are my favorite features:

Easy sign-up bonus

New cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months from account opening.

That's a pretty low bar to clear -- a quick win to start your rewards journey off strong.

Rotating 5% bonus categories

This is really the headline feature. You can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (that's up to $75 back every three months).

The categories are chosen in advance by Chase and displayed online or in your mobile app. Here are the types of spending categories that can be featured for the 5% cash back.

  • Grocery stores
  • Gas stations
  • Restaurants
  • Select streaming services
  • Amazon and Walmart.com

Important note: Activation is required each quarter in order to unlock the 5% cash back rate. So if you get this card, make sure you're always checking in and activating the available offers.

Easy cash back

Unlike other cash back cards that have rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex® also gives you high cash back returns for everyday spending.

Here are the regular reward categories:

  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases

This is a pretty sweet deal, rivaling even some of the best travel cards with that 5% cash back on Chase Travel bookings.

Even if you don't max out the rotating bonus categories, these ongoing rates can get you wicked cash back throughout the year.

Underrated protections

Here are some often overlooked perks you'll get with the Chase Freedom Flex®:

  • Cellphone protection (when you pay your bill with the card)
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
  • Auto rental coverage
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

I tell you what… For a "starter" card that's a lot of coverage.

0% intro APR offer

Often, cards that offer the opportunity to transfer a balance or pay for a new purchase with no interest don't offer a whole lot beyond that. That's not the case with the Chase Freedom Flex®.

Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (A go-to 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR will apply at the end of the intro period.) Breathe easier while you pay down your balance without racking up interest. And continue earning rewards on all your spending as you go.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories 		Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Circle with letter I in it. INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for long 0% intro APR 		N/A N/A

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

4.70/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5-3 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Downsides you should know

No card is perfect. The Chase Freedom Flex® does come with a few limitations worth knowing before you apply.

Rotating categories require activation

You won't automatically earn 5% for the bonus categories. It's a bit of a pain, but you'll need to remember to "activate" those offers within a specific enrollment period.

If you accidentally forget to do this, you'll just get the regular earning rate. Boo.

Capped quarterly bonus

The 5% rotating category bonus only applies to the first $1,500 in spending each quarter. After that, your rewards drop back to the standard rate. So while it's a nice boost, it's also capped.

If you'd rather skip the rotating categories and earn unlimited rewards on everything, I recommend you check out the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) instead.

Foreign transaction fees

Watch out if you're headed overseas! The Chase Freedom Flex® charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. If you're looking for a better card to use internationally, here's our list of best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.

Is the Chase Freedom Flex worth it?

Heck yeah it is. The pros greatly outweigh the cons, and there's no annual fee to worry about.

If you're already a Chase customer it's another tool you can use to earn killer cash back. The bonus categories might not apply to you every time, but even if you only maximize one each quarter, the card can put meaningful cash back in your pocket.

How to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex

Here is the direct link to apply on the Chase website.

It really just takes a few minutes to fill out the online form. Chase recommends having a good to excellent credit score (typically 670+) before applying.

Also, make sure you haven't opened more than five new credit cards across all banks in the past two years. That's part of Chase's unofficial "5/24 rule."

Final thoughts

I've reviewed a lot of credit cards, and the Chase Freedom Flex® is one that pleasantly surprises me. It's packed with value for a no-annual-fee card, and works great whether you're chasing cash back or stacking travel rewards.

If you're looking for a high-earning card with no annual fee, this is a hard one to beat. Apply for the Chase Freedom Flex® now and start earning rewards on the stuff you're already spending money on.

FAQs

  • Chase announces the bonus categories a few weeks before each new quarter. You must activate them manually online or through the Chase app to start earning 5%.

  • Technically, yes you earn points worth $0.01 each. They are redeemable for cash back. So earning 5% back on every dollar spent means earning $0.05 per dollar.

    Pro tip: If you also hold a Sapphire card, you can transfer these points and combine them for travel rewards. This might boost the point value for select bookings!

  • Yes you can add the Chase Freedom Flex to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. You can also link it to most payment apps like PayPal and Venmo.