Updated
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Some credit cards charge what's known as a foreign transaction fee. This is calculated as a set percentage of the purchases you make in other countries, such as while you're traveling. You might also encounter foreign transaction fees when you buy online from an overseas merchant. Let's take a closer look at the Chase Freedom credit cards specifically, and discuss the foreign transaction fee you can expect to pay when you use one of these cards in other countries.
Chase Freedom foreign transaction fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. Its cousin card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, does as well. This means the fee charged will be 3% of the total transaction amount. Transaction fees are charged in addition to the cost of the purchase that triggers the fee. So, if you made a $100 purchase with a 3% foreign transaction fee, the fee would be $3, and the total charge would be $100 + $3 = $103.
The foreign transaction fee applies to transactions made in currencies other than U.S. dollars. This fee also can occur if your transaction passes through a foreign bank.
As of Apr. 16, 2024
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| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Chase Freedom Flex℠ |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
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 |
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Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
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)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
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)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. Up to $300 cash back |
Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! $200 bonus |
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Rewards Program: Enjoy 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 1.5% on all other purchases 1.5% - 5% cash back |
Rewards Program: 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 Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. 5% cash back offer |
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Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months |
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months |
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Regular APR: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
Regular APR: 20.49%-29.24% Variable |
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Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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How do foreign transaction fees work?
If you are physically outside of the U.S. and make a local credit card purchase, you can be assessed a foreign transaction fee. However, foreign transactions can also occur while you are within the United States. For example, an online purchase made in a foreign currency may be treated as a foreign transaction by the credit card company.
You can find out if a credit card charges a foreign transaction fee by checking the pricing and terms document in the cardholder agreement. The pricing and terms are typically provided in the same envelope as your physical card. You can also go to the credit card's website to find a link for the pricing and terms. Foreign transaction fees will be listed in the "Fees" section, usually under "Transaction Fees."
If you don't see a listing for the foreign transaction fee anywhere in the pricing and terms documentation, this typically means the card does not charge a foreign transaction fee.
Do foreign transaction fees matter?
Although 3% of any given transaction may not sound like a lot of money, it can certainly add up over the course of a trip abroad or with a few large purchases in other currencies. If you're on a tight $1,000 budget for your vacation, you don't want to waste $30 on unnecessary fees. Thankfully, it's easy to find rewards credit cards without foreign transaction fees.
Several other Chase credit cards waive foreign transaction fees. This includes many card options in its travel credit cards lineup.
Outside the Chase family, several no annual fee credit cards offer 0% foreign transaction fees.
Ultimately, foreign transaction fees have the potential to make using a given credit card more expensive when you travel or shop online. It's worth paying attention to these fees and choosing a different credit card that doesn't charge them when you travel or are buying from online retailers that deal in another currency besides U.S. dollars.
Related reading
Learn more about Chase credit cards and their rules and benefits:
FAQs
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Other excellent Chase card options without a foreign transaction fee include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
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Objectively yes, as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ both have stellar benefits including decent cash back rates and no annual fee. These cards are probably best left at home if you're traveling outside the country, however.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.
Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
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Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.