Chase Freedom Flex℠: Rotating 5% Cash Back with $0 Annual Fee
Activate quarterly 5% categories, earn elevated rewards on Chase Travel℠ bookings, dining, and drugstores, and keep every dollar of value thanks to a $0 annual fee.
New cardholders collect a $200 bonus after $500 spend and enjoy 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers before the rate resets to the 18.74%–28.24% variable range (5% or $5 balance transfer fee).
Quick snapshot
- 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories (activation required, $1,500 cap)
- 5% on travel booked via Chase Travel℠; 3% on dining and drugstores
- $200 bonus after $500 spend + 0% intro APR for 15 months
- Redeem as cash back or transfer points to Sapphire cards for travel value
Master the Rotating 5% Calendar
Activate each quarter in the Chase app to earn 5% on up to $1,500 in combined spending. Categories often include gas, grocery stores, Amazon.com, PayPal, and home improvement—making it easy to align normal purchases with the cap.
Elevated Everyday Categories Year-Round
Book travel through Chase Travel℠ for 5% back, and pick up 3% on dining (including takeout and delivery) and drugstores without any activation requirements. All other purchases earn a base 1%.
Use the Intro APR Window Strategically
Finance large purchases or consolidate balances interest-free for 15 months, then pay off the balance before the variable APR kicks in. Remember the 5% (or $5) balance transfer fee when comparing savings.
Pair With Sapphire for Travel Upside
Freedom Flex cash back converts to Ultimate Rewards points. Move them to Sapphire Preferred® or Reserve® to redeem travel at 1.25x–1.5x or transfer to partners like United, Southwest, and Hyatt.
Important Disclosure
Representative Example: Spending $1,500 per quarter in 5% categories and $600 monthly on dining/drugstores yields about $480 in annual rewards. Carrying a $5,000 balance at a post-promo APR of 23.49% could cost roughly $1,175 in interest over 12 months.
Risk Warning: Missing payments or failing to activate quarterly categories can reduce rewards and trigger penalty APRs. Review current terms with Chase before applying.