Chase Freedom Flex®
No-Fee Cash Back Card with Rotating Categories
Practical Recommendation
It's the "do-a-lot-for-$0" card: rotating 5% categories, 5% travel via Chase, and 3% on dining and drugstores. Activate each quarter, aim your big spend at the 5% caps, and you're winning.
If you want more than simple cash back, move points to a Sapphire card for airline and hotel transfers. Bottom line: excellent starter or companion card with no annual fee.
Perks
- Earning rates (detailed) – 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel; 5% on quarterly bonus categories up to $1,500 per quarter (activation required); 3% at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery) and at drugstores; 1% on everything else. — See card page
- Quarterly 5% categories – Categories change every quarter; you must activate by the deadline to earn 5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases, then it's 1%. Plan big purchases to hit the cap. — See calendar
- Lyft earnings – 2% total cash back on Lyft through Sep 30, 2027 (1% base + 1% additional). Handy if you ride often. — Lyft + Chase details
Protections
- Cell Phone Protection – Pay your monthly cell bill with the card to get up to $800 per claim, $1,000 per 12 months, $50 deductible, max 2 claims per 12 months. Good backup if you skip your carrier's insurance. — Guide to Benefits (PDF)
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance – Reimburses up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for covered reasons when you pay for the trip with the card. Useful when plans blow up. — Guide to Benefits (PDF)
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (secondary) – Covers theft/damage to your rental car up to $60,000; decline the rental agency's CDW. Secondary in the U.S., primary in many countries abroad. — Guide to Benefits (PDF)
- Purchase Protection – Covers theft or damage for 120 days (90 days NY), up to $500 per item and $50,000 per account. Can save you from buying extra store warranties. — Guide to Benefits (PDF)
- Extended Warranty – Adds 1 extra year to eligible U.S. manufacturer warranties of 3 years or less. Simple value on electronics and appliances. — Guide to Benefits (PDF)
Hybrid (Optional): Convert Cash to Miles
Chase Freedom Flex is an easy, guaranteed 1% back (more in 5%/3% spots). If you want extra value, pair it with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve: move your rewards into that account, then transfer to airline/hotel partners for redemptions that can beat the usual 1¢-per-point math. It's optional and a bit advanced—you'll need to learn award bookings and stay flexible. Think $500 cash vs. potentially $750–$1,000+ in flights with a good transfer to United, Southwest, or Air Canada Aeroplan. — check out our Level 2 Travel section.