The Chase Freedom Flex® is a $0-annual-fee credit card offering up to 5% rewards on rotating bonus categories every three months. It’s ideal for those starting out with travel rewards and looking for flexible earning potential.
Keep in mind the rotating categories and maximize rewards to get the most value. Also, be aware of the Chase 5/24 rule, which limits personal credit card approvals to five within a two-year period.
To learn how to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex®, here’s a straightforward guide tailored for worldwide applicants.
About the Chase Freedom Flex®
The Chase Freedom Flex® card offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Cardholders can also earn:
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in bonus categories each quarter (activation required).
- 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 3% on dining and delivery services.
- 3% on drugstore purchases.
- 1% on all other purchases.
This card has no annual fee, and rewards remain valid as long as the account stays open. Its flexible rewards structure makes it a great choice for those new to Chase Ultimate Rewards®, appealing to cardholders worldwide.
5% Cashback Categories for Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Flex offers 5% cashback on rotating categories each quarter. These categories allow cardholders to maximize rewards on specific purchases. Categories change quarterly, targeting popular spending areas. Here's the 2024 schedule:
- Q1 (Jan 1 - Mar 31):
- Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target)
- Fitness clubs and gym memberships
- Self-care or spa services
- Q2 (Apr 1 - Jun 30):
- Select hotel bookings
- Restaurants
- Amazon, including Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods
How to Activate Chase Freedom Flex Rewards Categories Quarterly
To activate Chase Freedom Flex rewards categories each quarter, follow these steps. Quarterly activation is necessary to earn bonus cashback. Avoid missing the deadline by using these options:
- Bonus Activation Page: Register on the Chase Bonus activation page by the deadline listed on the cashback calendar.
- Email Notifications: Sign up for email alerts. Use the link in the email to activate your categories.
- Phone: Call the number on the back of your Chase Freedom Flex card or contact Chase Customer Service at (800) 432-3117.
- Chase Locations: Visit a Chase branch, and a personal banker will assist you.
Bonus categories can be activated until the 14th of the third month of the quarter. For example, activation must occur no later than September 14 to qualify for July- September rewards.
Target this process worldwide by ensuring timely activation across eligible locations.
Chase Freedom Flex: Cash Back Rewards Breakdown
With the Chase Freedom Flex, you can earn up to $75 in cash back per quarter on rotating rewards categories, capped at $1,500 in purchases per quarter. Over a year, this totals up to $300 in cash back. Additional cash-back opportunities include:
- 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel.
- 3% on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
- 3% on drugstore purchases.
- 1% on all other purchases.
What to Know About the Chase Freedom Flex®
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers unique benefits, but it's not ideal for everyone. Consider these key points to decide if it's the right choice:
1. How to Activate Chase Freedom Flex® Bonus Categories
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers rotating bonus categories that earn up to 5% cash back each quarter.
To access this benefit, you must activate the categories manually. These categories change quarterly, and Chase publishes a cash-back calendar to help you plan spending accordingly.
For example, the 2021 bonus categories included:
- January–March: Wholesale clubs, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services.
- April–June: Gas stations and home improvement stores.
- July–September: Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) and select streaming services.
- October–December: Purchases made via PayPal at Walmart.
Steps to Activate Bonus Categories:
- Visit the Chase Ultimate Rewards® website or the Chase Freedom Flex® page.
- Use the Chase Mobile app.
- Receive an email notification and activate with one click.
- Call the number on your card or visit a Chase branch for assistance.
- If you're a Chase checking customer, use an ATM to activate during a withdrawal.
While activating may feel like an extra step, it ensures you maximize the 5% cash back.
2. Maximizing Chase Freedom Flex® Rewards
The Chase Freedom Flex® allows you to redeem rewards without a minimum balance. Rewards can be used for:
- Statement Credits or Deposits: Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed this way.
- Travel Bookings: Points can be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Pairing the Chase Freedom Flex® with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® boosts redemption value by 25% when booking travel through the portal.
- Gift Cards or Amazon Purchases: These options provide less value, with points worth about 0.8 cents each on Amazon.
3. Maximizing Rewards with the "Chase Trifecta"
The Chase Trifecta strategy combines the Chase Freedom Flex® with two other Chase cards to maximize rewards. Here's how it works:
- Cards to Include:
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Use for rotating 5% bonus categories.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Ideal for travel and dining purchases, offering higher earning potential in non-bonus categories.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Earns a flat 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- Spending Strategy:
- Use Chase Freedom Flex® for bonus categories.
- Use Chase Sapphire Preferred® for travel and dining outside the bonus categories.
- Use Chase Freedom Unlimited® for purchases that don't fit into other bonus categories.
- Redeeming Rewards:
- Transfer all points to a card offering the best redemption value. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® provides a 25% bonus when redeeming for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- For more value, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers a 50% boost for travel but comes with a $550 annual fee.
This strategic combination allows worldwide users to maximize cash back and travel rewards.
4. Understanding the Chase 5/24 Rule
The Chase 5/24 rule limits approvals to those who have fewer than five new credit card accounts within the past 24 months.
While this rule isn't explicitly published, it can impact your ability to get multiple Chase cards. To optimize approvals, space out credit card applications strategically.
By considering the 5/24 rule and applying the Trifecta strategy, you can unlock significant reward potential with Chase Freedom Flex®.
Conclusion
Strategic shoppers can maximize Chase Freedom Flex rewards by using the card for everyday purchases or larger expenses, staying within the quarterly spending cap.
This approach allows for earning significant cash back or bonus points every three months.