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Chase Freedom Credit Card

Chase Freedom Credit Card Reviews

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About Chase Freedom Credit Card

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Chase Freedom is a great cashback rewards card for rotating bonus categories without an annual fee. Rotating bonus categories earn 5% cash back on combined purchases up to $1,500 each quarter, and everything else earns automatic, unlimited 1% cash back. The Chase Freedom card also gives cardholders access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program. Read more Chase credit cards reviews to learn about other Chase credit cards or submit your own.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Generous signup bonus offer
  • 5% cash back on select categories
  • No annual fee
  • Unlimited 1% cashback
Cons
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Must opt into rotating categories

Chase Freedom review

Chase Freedom gives cardholders the best of both worlds — bonus cash back for select rotating categories and a flat percentage cash back on everything else. Plus, the sign-up bonus gives new cardholders an extra $150.

chase freedomRecommended Credit:
Good
Chase Freedom
  • $150 bonus if you spend $500 within 3 months
  • 5% cash back on bonus categories
  • $0 annual fee
Learn more

You’ll get the most out of Chase Freedom when it’s combined with another points-earning Chase card (including Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred cards).


$150 sign up bonus

1%-5% cash back

$0 annual fee

Chase Freedom benefits

The combination of Chase Freedom rewards and benefits make it a great card for everyday spending. Highlights of Chase Freedom card perks include an easy-to-hit signup bonus, low-rate balance transfers and travel insurance.

  • Chase Freedom signup bonus: With your successful application, you’re eligible for a Chase Freedom bonus of $150 cash back if you spend $500 on new purchases within three months of opening the account.
  • Chase Freedom cashback: Each quarter, a new bonus category earns 5% cash back, and all other purchases receive a flat 1% back. Chase Freedom categories include pharmacies, groceries and everyday services like internet or cable.
  • Introductory 0% APR period: Get 15 months of 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers. The balance transfer fee is 3% for the first 60 days, then 5% after that.
  • Chase Freedom travel insurance: Travel insurance is a free benefit to Chase Freedom Visa Signature cardholders with a credit line above $5,000. This insurance covers eligible cardholders and their families up to $250,000 for accidental death or dismemberment while traveling. It also covers up to $5,000 for trip interruption or cancellation and up to $3,000 for lost luggage.
  • Car rental insurance: The Chase Freedom car rental insurance provides cardholders with secondary car rental insurance, which is utilized after primary personal car insurance, and can help cover the cost of theft or damage to a rental vehicle.
  • Purchase protection: Chase will reimburse, replace or repair eligible items purchased with a Chase Freedom credit card up to $500 if lost, stolen or damaged within 120 days of receipt. Chase Freedom purchase protection is limited to $50,000 per account per year.
  • Chase Credit Journey: Chase Freedom credit cardholders get access to Chase Credit Journey, which includes VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from TransUnion with weekly updates, credit alerts to prevent identity fraud, and a credit simulator tool to help find out how different financial decisions could affect your overall credit score.

What are Chase Freedom bonus categories?

Bonus categories earn
5% on first $1,500 spent
in combined purchases

Chase Freedom earns limited 5% cash back on different rotating bonus categories each quarter and unlimited 1% back on all other purchases. Cardholders can earn the 5% bonus rewards on combined purchases up to $1,500 per quarter. After $1,500, continued spending on a rotating Chase Freedom bonus category will earn unlimited 1% cash back. The cardholder is responsible for opting into new categories before the deadline closes each quarter.

The Chase Freedom calendar of rotating bonus categories starts in January and is announced at the beginning of each quarter. Chase provides a convenient notification tool that is compatible with popular calendar apps, such as Outlook and Google Calendar, to help cardholders remember to opt into new bonus categories. Chase also allows you to view bonus categories for current and past quarters. Specific merchants may be included on the bonus calendar, though there may be some merchant exclusions from general categories as well.

How to maximize Chase Freedom rewards points

You will get the most out of the Chase Freedom card if you also have another Chase card eligible for Ultimate Rewards — use the Chase Freedom card exclusively for Chase Freedom rotating categories for 5% cash back, and use another Chase card with a higher flat-rate, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, for everything else.

Chase Freedom cardholders can increase the value of rewards up to 50% by transferring cashback rewards into Ultimate Rewards points, which are especially valuable when redeemed for travel. For example, cash back rewards on a Chase Freedom card worth $150 could be converted to 15,000 Ultimate Rewards points. The Ultimate Rewards points may then be valued at up to $300.

While this can be slightly more complicated than some other points cards, the potential for greater rewards points is an excellent benefit and allows you to maximize your reward amount.

Chase Freedom credit card FAQ

What credit score is needed for a Chase Freedom card?

You are probably eligible if your credit score is at least 645 (which falls in the upper portion of the “fair” range). Those with good, very good and excellent credit scores should not have difficulty obtaining the Chase Freedom card.

Is Chase Freedom a good first credit card?

Chase Freedom is a good first card because it comes with so many benefits, has no annual fee and gets you into the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. However, some applicants may not have a high enough credit score to qualify. If you feel you won't remember to opt into new bonus categories on time every three months, then the Chase Freedom Unlimited card might be a better starter card for you as it offers a flat 1.5% back.

Does Chase Freedom have an annual fee?

No. One of the perks of the Chase Freedom card is that it does not have an annual fee. However, cardholders are responsible for a 3% balance transfer fee for each balance transferred during the introductory APR period and a 5% fee per cash advance. Additional fees are more thoroughly described in the Chase Freedom terms and conditions.

Does Chase Freedom have foreign transaction fees?

Yes. You're charged a 3% ($5 minimum) foreign transaction fee if you use the Chase Freedom credit card with retailers or merchants outside the United States. This also applies to online purchases.

Is Chase Freedom hard to get?

The Chase Freedom card should not be hard to get for those with a credit score above 645, but applicants below that number may not be eligible. If approved, your credit limits will vary depending on your financial history and credit score. The Chase Freedom application is simple to complete online or over the phone.

Is Chase Freedom worth it?

The Chase Freedom credit card is worth it because it’s easy to earn rewards through bonus categories and there’s no annual fee. Chase Freedom reward categories include many everyday places you'd use your card, such as drug stores, gas stations, home improvement stores and even tolls. Plus, the Chase Freedom credit card is eligible for Ultimate Rewards points. Cardholders can increase their cash back amount by using Chase’s shopping portal on eligible categories as well.

Chase Freedom Credit Card Reviews

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    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Customer Service

    Reviewed Nov. 6, 2024

    Beware of this card's promise of Pay Over Time. They promise and misguide every step of the way. Do not fall for it! Then when you call them out and tell them to pull the call, they say there's nothing we can do. Deceitful is what the card should be called!

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    Customer ServicePriceStaff

    Reviewed July 10, 2024

    The interest rate on this card borders on predatory practice. Basically, you will never finish paying the card. Monthly they charge 45.00 dollars interest rate. Customer service horrible. The guy I spoke to told me that the way to avoid the charge is pay it all in month.

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      Customer ServicePriceStaff

      Reviewed Dec. 15, 2023

      Interest rates are much higher on this card. The only zero interest you can get with this card is when you initially get the card. They are nasty rude people working for this company and they extort more interest a month after you have paid off the card. With an 800+ credit score, I can have a credit card from any company I want and I'm telling you to pass on this card. They are abusing people and stealing money. Don't be a victim. Put this company out of business!!!

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed Oct. 4, 2023

      I booked a hotel through the rewards travel and also had to spend a little money. It was a non-refundable rate, but suddenly, plans changed. Within 24 hours, I tried to cancel online and by phone in the evening. I received recorded messages that they were experiencing technical difficulties and to try back later. I called the next morning. I was told that they would call the property. After waiting on hold, I was told that no one at the property was available to cancel/refund the reservation and that I should call back tomorrow (Monday).

      I called back on Monday and was told that an email request was submitted to the hotel and that they have 72 hours to respond and to call after 72 hours. I called 8 days later to check on it. Was told that they still have not received a reply from the hotel and that they aren't going to refund the money. Every time I called, it was about 45 minutes. So, I am going to protest the charge and open up a new card and cancel this one. Buyer Beware!

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      Reviewed March 3, 2023

      I signed up to get 15% off my purchase. The expiration for the offer was on the 15th. The merchant did not fund the transaction until the 17th. Chase refused to give me the offer because the merchant delayed acknowledging the transaction. The coupon states...Kerastase. 15% back. Offer Details. Earn 15% back on your Kerastase purchase, with a $22.50 back maximum. Shop Now.

      Offer expires 2/15/2023. Offer valid one time only. Payment must be made directly with the merchant. Offer not valid on Kerastase products purchased through other retailers. Offer not valid on third-party services. Payment must be made on or before offer expiration date. I did just as the offer stated but Chase refuses to give me the $22.50 credit because the transaction did not clear until the 17th. It says nothing about the transaction clearing just that the purchase has to be made by the 15th which it was.

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      Customer ServiceStaff

      Reviewed Dec. 27, 2022

      Highly disappointed in their handling of their customers. I have had many experiences with credit card companies and the treatment of the customer is levels below other companies. Representatives lack any type of care for the customer when speaking over the phone or chatting online. I had an issue with foreign transaction fees. First time problem with any other card has been handled very easily. I’ve been excused from the fees with supreme kindness on the phone. Chase Freedom Card and their reps failed hard to deliver any type of care in the way they handled the situation. It is not about the $50 or so I was asking to be waived. It is the simple fact that the treatment of the situation was horrible. There are many other credit card companies out there willing to give you the best service. I hope I can save time for the next person when choosing which credit card company to go with. Choose wisely.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed Dec. 7, 2022

      I've been a Chase credit card freedom customer since 2007. Never missed a payment, until I did, because I am human, and I forgot. But I paid within the next 48 hrs. They don't only increase my minimum payment in 110%, few days later, they decreased my line of credit in 55% less. I sent an email asking, and they sent this impersonal, kind of robocall message to me letting me know that because I am "delinquent" (yes, the missing payment that I paid right away), and because they "carefully" checked my account, so they decided to do this. Funny fact: 2 other banks increased my lines of credit. I guess somebody is not doing their work or, simply don't care.

      I should never open a credit card with Chase. They were always the highest APR of my cards (I only have 4, but according to them, I have a lot of cards). Anyways,, calling them made me feel like I was begging, something that I will never do. As a business owner, we all have debt so, this is just being greedy. For all the people that said that they are great, just wait until you miss a payment.

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      Reliability

      Reviewed Oct. 1, 2022

      A Chase card is most unreliable and unsecure credit card that one could have. It is not convenient to have and use because the attempted purchases decline, even if one has credit available to complete the purchase. It is the only credit card in which the balance versus the available credit does not add up and balances out. Even after all charges are listed and settled, it says that one has a credit balance, but the available credit is, for instance, only one-quarter of the actual credit line. There is something wrong with this scenario. Also, it takes Chase Bank several days, if not longer, to post and clear debits to and from the credit card account.

      Chase Bank is the slowest financial institution to handle and resolve disputes. Like most large banks, it is hardest to get credit line increases with, even with good payment history and a good credit score. Chase Bank may be the largest bank in the country but it is the most inconvenient in terms of getting financial products and services and account assistance and the quality of the financial products and services offered are worse than comparable and smaller financial institutions. As financial experts would say, "The biggest is not always the best."

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      Customer ServicePrice

      Reviewed Aug. 6, 2022

      Since 15 years old I've been doing business with this stupid worthless pile of crap bank known as Chase Bank. Every year I've had to wave overdraft fees and I've had the worst customer service online experience. Monthly service fees below a certain amount. Now I'm 28 years old and switching to TD for good. For not paying my Chase Freedom credit card back then I had to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I've filed many CFPB complaints and the bank sucks sucks and still sucks. Not a single good experience. Costs me money every year. They still try to lend to me. No comments. I just pay the bills sucks bank Chapter 7. TD for life lol.

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      Reviewed July 13, 2022

      Have been building my credit for 7 years now, started by filing a bankruptcy. Now I'm at 700+ credit score and get preapproved offers from BofA, American Express, and Wells Fargo but still get denied by the only bank that I have had a checking account with for over 20 years. Please note: that if you have anything at all that's negative in your credit history then Chase is the last place on earth you should go!!

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      Chase Freedom Credit Card Company Information

      Company Name:
      Chase Freedom Credit Card
      Website:
      creditcards.chase.com