Chase Removed Foreign Transaction Fees on Freedom Flex
Cardholders planning international trips will save on fees, while all users gain new hotel redemption value.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Credit Cards
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Chase has eliminated foreign transaction fees on its Freedom Flex credit card while introducing updated card artwork. The changes also include an increased value for Ultimate Rewards points when redeemed for eligible hotel bookings.
Why it matters
The removal of foreign transaction fees lowers the cost of international spending for cardholders, who previously faced additional charges on purchases made abroad. Additionally, the enhanced hotel redemption value offers more flexibility for travelers looking to maximize their rewards.
Freedom Flex cardholders now avoid foreign transaction fees that previously added costs to overseas purchases. New users can earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months, while 5 percent cash-back categories are capped at $1,500 in quarterly spending.
The players
Chase
A major financial institution that issues a wide range of credit cards and consumer banking products.
The details
The Freedom Flex card continues to offer 5 percent cash back on rotating categories, 3 percent on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1 percent on everything else. Cardholders must manually activate the rotating 5 percent categories, which can be tracked one quarter in advance through the Chase Mobile app. These categories include grocery stores for the fourth quarter of 2026, with streaming services added to the list for the first quarter of 2027.
Timeline
Q4 2026: Grocery stores are a 5 percent cash-back category.
Q1 2027: Streaming and grocery stores are 5 percent cash-back categories.
Money Landscape
This move by Chase aligns with the ongoing competition among card issuers to attract travelers by removing friction from international purchases. It sits within a broader industry trend of enhancing reward programs to capture long-term loyalty from household spenders.
Review your upcoming travel plans to determine if the Freedom Flex is now a cost-effective option for overseas purchases. If you already hold the card, ensure you log into the Chase Mobile app to activate the rotating cash-back categories for the upcoming quarter.
The takeaway
The elimination of foreign transaction fees makes this card a more practical tool for international travel budgets. Consult with a qualified financial professional to evaluate whether the card's reward structure aligns with your household's primary spending categories.
Further reading
For more information on comparing account features, visit the Credit Cards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MyChesCo.
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