Most no-annual-fee cards are merely an on-ramp for points-and-miles enthusiasts. But the *Freedom Flex* isn’t one of those cards.
Yes, it costs $0 a year – and yes, it is a popular option for beginners – but it’s also one of the most rewarding everyday spending cards on the market.
The main draw is 5% cash back on a set of bonus categories that rotate every quarter, up to $1,500 in combined spending. For example, through the end of the year, Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 5% back on dining, groceries (excluding Target and Walmart), and donations to the American Red Cross. Dining is especially useful this quarter as it stacks on top of the card’s everyday 3% bonus, meaning you’re really earning 7% back (1% base earnings, 2% dining bonus, and 4% quarterly bonus) every time you eat out.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: While Chase markets the Freedom Flex as a cash back card, it actually earns more valuable Ultimate Rewards points. If you pair it with a Chase Sapphire Card or *chase ink preferred*, you can send your points to partners like United, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and Hyatt for even greater value.
Add in a respectable, limited-time offer of $250 (25,000 points) after spending $500 in the first three months, and it’s easy to see why this card is so popular with beginners and experts alike.
If you’ve been curious about all the Chase Freedom Flex has to offer and whether it deserves a spot in your wallet, read on for our full review.
A Quick Overview of the Chase Freedom Flex®
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- Earn 5% cashback on rotating categories each quarter (up to $1,500 in spending).
- Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.
- Earn 3% cashback on dining (including takeout and delivery services).
- Earn 3% cashback at drugstores.
- Earn 1% cashback on all other spending
- World Elite Mastercard Benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual Fee: $0
Learn More about the *Freedom Flex*
Full Breakdown of Benefits
For college students, or anyone who isn’t ready to go all in on travel rewards, the Freedom Flex is a low-risk, high-reward first credit card. For points and miles enthusiasts, it’s the best sidekick a Sapphire card can have.
Here’s everything it has going for it.
Welcome Offer
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That’s a $50 increase over the standard welcome offer bonus for the same spending requirement. And if you hold a Freedom Flex alongside a Chase Sapphire or Ink Preferred Card, that $250 can instantly become 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Read More: How to Transfer Cash Back & Points Between Your Chase Cards
Fees
The Chase Freedom Flex Card comes with a $0 annual fee. Adding this card to your wallet won’t cost you any extra money, making it the perfect complement to a Sapphire Card.
What’s more, the Freedom Flex no longer charges foreign transaction fees, which is rare for a no-annual-fee card. That means you can finally take it abroad without paying extra every time you swipe it.
Earning Points
Earning points is an area where the Freedom Flex really shines. The card comes with a handful of lucrative bonus categories that will provide extra cash back (or points) for every dollar you spend, plus an added sweetener.
With 5% cash back on a list of rotating categories of up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, it’s easy to rack up points in a hurry. In addition to the 5% quarterly earnings, cardholders can earn additional points in select bonus categories and get 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Here’s exactly what you can expect in terms of earning points.
- Earn 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories on up to $1,500 of spending.
- Currently: Dining, groceries (excluding Target and Walmart), and donations to the American Red Cross
- Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3% cashback on dining (including takeout and delivery services)
- Earn 3% cashback at drugstores
- Earn 1% cashback on all other purchases
Learn More about the *Freedom Flex*
Redeeming Points
You can use the points earned on your Freedom Flex for a statement credit or even redeem them directly to a Chase bank account. When cashing out your points with either of these methods, your points are worth one cent each. You can also use your points for gift cards or to book travel through Chase Travel℠ at the same rate.
But if you also carry a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, you can get even greater value out of your points by transferring them to Chase’s slew of travel partners for an award booking.
Finally, you can also use your points to pay for purchases at Amazon … but please don’t. When you do this, you’re getting less than one cent per point in value, and you’d be better off just using them as a statement credit to offset the purchase after it posts to your account.
Perks & Benefits
Unlike most Chase cards, the Freedom Flex is a World Elite Mastercard. While the average person probably doesn’t care whether their card is issued by Visa or Mastercard, it actually matters … a little.
Since the Freedom Flex is a World Elite Mastercard it opens up even more benefits like Lyft credits, discounts on Postmates deliveries, and gets a complimentary ShopRunner membership.
But perhaps the best World Elite Mastercard benefit is the complimentary cell phone insurance. You’ll get $1,000 in yearly coverage ($600 max per claim, 2 claims per year) if your cell phone is stolen or needs certain repairs. All you need to do to take advantage is simply pay for your cell phone bill with your Chase Freedom Flex to activate the coverage.
Additionally, this card provides limited trip cancellation and interruption protections, secondary car rental insurance, and roadside dispatch benefits.
Read more: Car Broke Down? Your Travel Credit Card Might Have Roadside Assistance
Why You Should Pair the Freedom Flex with a Sapphire Card
The one-two punch of holding the Freedom Flex with a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve credit card is undeniable.
When you’ve got a Chase Sapphire card, the cashback your Freedom Flex earns can be turned into Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Every cent you earn equals one Ultimate Rewards point. That means earning 5% cashback is also like earning 5x Chase points.
Let’s say you already hold the *csp* and decide to add the Freedom Flex to your wallet. Just for spending $500 in the first three months of card membership, you’ll earn a $250 bonus. Since you also have the Sapphire Preferred, that $250 can be turned into 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to use towards travel.
Is that the biggest bonus ever? No, but it’s pretty impressive for a no-annual-fee card, and holding the Freedom Flex is a great way to make sure you get the most value from your everyday spending.
Bottom Line
With no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and 5% back on rotating bonus categories (7% on dining through the end of the year!), the *Freedom Flex* is one of the best everyday spending cards you can get. It’s an easy, low-risk first card for beginners, and it’s an even better sidekick for anyone with a Sapphire or Ink Preferred card, turning that cash back into valuable Ultimate Rewards points.
Add in the current, limited-time $250 welcome bonus, and there may never be a better time to pick one up.
Learn More about the *Freedom Flex*
