Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. I've had the legacy Chase Freedom®* since 2017, and for years, it was one of those cards I had no reason to get rid of.
It had no annual fee , 5% rotating bonus categories (upon activation on up to $1,500 in spending each quarter) and, because I also have premium Chase cards , I could turn the cash back I earned into transferable Ultimate Rewards points .
But after nearly a decade, I called Chase and asked to product change my legacy Freedom to the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees ).
For me, the decision came down to two changes that make the Flex substantially more useful, particularly for someone who lives abroad.
*This card is no longer available to new applicants. The information for the Chase Freedom has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The original Chase Freedom hasn't been available to new applicants since late 2020, when Chase introduced the Freedom Flex . Existing cardholders could continue using their legacy cards, which is what I did.
The problem for me was that the legacy Freedom charges a 3% foreign transaction fee .
I moved to Spain last year, and that essentially put the card in my sock drawer. What's the point of earning 5% back in a rotating category if I'm immediately giving 3% back to Chase because I'm using the card outside the U.S.?
That was especially frustrating because grocery stores and gas stations have been recurring Freedom bonus categories over the years. Those are exactly the kinds of purchases you might make while traveling internationally, whether you're buying groceries in Spain or filling up a rental car on a road trip through France.
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The Freedom Flex changed that equation. Chase recently eliminated foreign transaction fees on the card , so it can now be used abroad without that 3% surcharge. That was enough to get my attention. (Note it lost its cellphone protection perk at the same time.)
Then Chase gave me another reason to make the switch.
This quarter, the Freedom Flex earns an elevated 7% back on dining (compared with 5% on the legacy Freedom; activation required). The $1,500 quarterly spending limit is shared across the bonus categories, so I'll prioritize dining and then use any remaining capacity for groceries (earning 5% this quarter).
If I spend $125 a week on dining, I'll reach the full $1,500 limit. If I don't quite reach that amount, I'll use the remaining portion for groceries, which I spend about $100 a week on.
And this isn't the first time we've seen Chase offer…