Chase Freedom Flex review

Freedom Flex rewards people who like to plan. Chase pays 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating categories each quarter you activate, plus 5% on travel through Chase Travel, 3% on dining including takeout, 3% at drugstores and 1% on all other purchases. For October to December 2026 the 5% categories are grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), dining and the American Red Cross, and January to March 2027 covers grocery stores and top streaming services, with activation opening December 15, 2026. New cardmembers can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months, and there is a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.49% to 27.99% variable. The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It ranks below the simpler cards because the 5% rate depends on activation and a quarterly cap, and everyday spending outside the categories earns only 1%.

Who it is for

People who will activate quarterly categories and want a card they can also use abroad.

Price

$0 annual fee.

You won't have to pay an annual fee
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating categories each quarter you activate
• 3% on dining, including takeout, and 3% at drugstores
• 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• $200 bonus after $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
• No foreign transaction fees

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Categories for the next quarter are published in advance
• Strength: No foreign transaction fees
• Strength: 3% dining and drugstore rates apply all year
• Weakness: 5% rate is capped at $1,500 a quarter and requires activation
• Weakness: Only 1% on all other purchases
• Weakness: More to track than any flat rate card

Key facts

• Annual fee: $0
• Quarterly categories: 5% on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate
• October to December 2026: Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), dining, American Red Cross
• Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Where it ranks

Chase Freedom Flex is No. 9 in our Best Cash Back Credit Cards verdict.