Chase Freedom Cardholder Switches to Freedom Flex

A Chase Freedom cardholder, who had held the legacy card since 2017, initiated a product change to the Chase Freedom Flex in late 2023. The legacy Chase Freedom card, which is no longer available to new applicants since late 2020, offered a 5% cash back rate on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter within activated bonus categories, with no annual fee. A key benefit for existing cardholders of the legacy card was the ability to convert earned cash back into transferable Ultimate Rewards points when paired with premium Chase cards. However, the primary driver for the cardholder's switch to the Freedom Flex was the elimination of foreign transaction fees. The legacy Chase Freedom card imposed a 3% foreign transaction fee, which rendered it impractical for international use, especially for a cardholder who moved to Spain in the past year. This fee negated the value of earning 5% back on purchases, particularly in common bonus categories like grocery stores and gas stations, which are frequently utilized while traveling abroad. The Chase Freedom Flex, by contrast, now offers no foreign transaction fees, making it a viable option for international spending. This change was significant enough to prompt the cardholder to switch, despite the legacy card's historical utility. The Freedom Flex also offers 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in spending, upon activation), 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. The legacy Chase Freedom card provided 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in spending, upon activation) and 1% on all other purchases. The cardholder noted that the legacy Freedom card lost its cellphone protection perk, a feature that was not explicitly detailed in the provided text but was mentioned as a point of comparison. The decision to switch was ultimately driven by the practical implications of foreign transaction fees for someone living and spending internationally, making the Freedom Flex a more advantageous card for their current lifestyle. The legacy Chase Freedom card is no longer available for new applications, having been replaced by the Freedom Flex in late 2020.