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WiseIQ Editorial Team
Reviewed by certified financial experts  ·  Updated April 2026
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The Chase Freedom Flex® is the best no-annual-fee credit card for people who are willing to track and activate rotating 5% cash back categories. Each quarter, Chase announces new bonus categories — historically including grocery stores, gas stations, Amazon, PayPal, and streaming services — and you earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in those categories after activation.

On top of the rotating 5%, the card earns a permanent 3% on dining and drugstores and 1% on everything else. Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, it pairs with Chase Sapphire cards to unlock airline and hotel transfer partners.

Chase Freedom Flex®

$0 annual fee · 5% on rotating categories · 3% dining & drugstores · $200 bonus after $500 spend

Apply Now →

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Rates, Fees & Key Terms

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PERSONAL LOANS
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Best for fair & thin credit · AI-powered approval
APR RANGE
7.80%–35.99%
LOAN AMOUNT
$1K–$50K
MIN. CREDIT
300
✓ No prepayment penalty ✓ Funds in 1 business day ✓ Soft pull pre-qualification ✓ Considers education & job history
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FeatureDetails
Annual Fee$0
Sign-Up Bonus$200 after $500 spend in first 3 months
Cash Back — Rotating Categories (activated)5% (up to $1,500/quarter)
Cash Back — Chase Travel5%
Cash Back — Dining & Drugstores3%
Cash Back — Everything Else1%
Intro APR0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Ongoing APR20.49%–29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee3%

✓ Pros

  • 5% on rotating quarterly categories — highest rate available
  • 3% on dining and drugstores permanently
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months
  • Pairs with Sapphire for travel point transfers
  • $200 sign-up bonus

✗ Cons

  • 5% categories require quarterly activation
  • 5% capped at $1,500/quarter ($75 max bonus)
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit (670+)
  • Less simple than Freedom Unlimited for everyday use

Chase Freedom Flex® — Apply Today

0% intro APR · $200 bonus · 5% rotating categories · $0 annual fee

See If You're Pre-Approved →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Chase Freedom Flex 5% categories for 2026?

Chase announces the 5% categories each quarter. Historically they've included grocery stores, gas stations, Amazon, PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select streaming services. You must activate the bonus each quarter to earn 5%.

Does Chase Freedom Flex have an annual fee?

No. The Chase Freedom Flex has a $0 annual fee.

What is the difference between Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited?

Freedom Flex earns 5% on rotating quarterly categories (requires activation) plus 3% on dining and drugstores. Freedom Unlimited earns a flat 1.5% on everything. Freedom Flex is better if you're willing to track and activate categories; Freedom Unlimited is better for simplicity.

Can Chase Freedom Flex points be transferred to airlines?

Not directly. However, if you pair it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, you can combine points and transfer them to Chase's airline and hotel partners at 1:1 ratios.

What credit score do you need for Chase Freedom Flex?

Chase typically requires a good to excellent credit score — generally 670 or higher.

Sources & Methodology

WiseIQ's editorial team researches and fact-checks all content using primary sources. Our recommendations are based on independent analysis and are not influenced by advertiser relationships.

Last reviewed: April 3, 2026  |  How we rank products