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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
Bottom Line
The Chase Freedom card has excellent cashback bonus categories and numerous benefits, including 0% balance transfer rates for 15 months, an attractive signup bonus and secondary car rental insurance, without an annual fee.
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.
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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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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.
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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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.
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."
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.
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!!
I will be brief as possible because my experience with their customer service is lengthy and maddening. OK, one example: The customer service recording is useless. Once it asked me for the last four digits of my card account. I put my number in and was told that it was the incorrect zip code (keep in mind I was asked to put the last four digits of my credit card number). The next time I tried, I was asked for the last four digits of my card again, and was turned away because that was not the correct Social Security number. Being a glutton for punishment, I tried yet again and was asked for the entire account number on the card. I had time enough to enter four of the 16 numbers when I was cut short by the recording. There is no way to get a human being with Chase Freedom card. Unfortunately, Chase offers inferior customer service as too many companies today do.
CHASE FREEDOM DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR CUSTOMERS! I WOULD CHOOSE A MORE CUSTOMER ORIENTED CARD. I WOULD GIVE - 5 STAR. I have a Chase Freedom card that I use a lot. I've been a customer since 2017. My card is paid off every month. As time goes on they do not stand behind their customers. I had a dispute where a store went back on their return policy. I had the receipt so it was in writing but the store wouldn't go along with their own policy so I disputed the charge. Chase Freedom sent me a letter telling me that they had to go along with the store's decision. Not the policy that was in writing, but their decision.
Another time I booked a hotel $250 for my kids soccer tournament 3 hours away. One of the kids caught covid. As stated by the mandate everyone had to quarantine. We called the hotel they agreed to refund the $250 and sent an email. When my I received my bill the hotel refunded the the $250, but then recharged my card $250. So I disputed the charge. Chase Freedom sent me a letter telling that the charge was valid. I sent Chase Freedom the email I received from the hotel telling me they were giving me a FULL REFUND. Chase Freedom sent me a letter telling me it was a valid charge.
764 score perfect credit with a pre approved email! And still denied!!?? Ok this is not fair just to run my credit and hurt my score there is no good reason whatsoever to have denied me!!! Don’t waste your time with them! There’s much much better credit card companies out there.
I submitted a request to dispute a charge for a virtual gift card that we were NEVER able to redeem. Yesterday I received a notice from Chase Freedom Disputes Department saying the charge was valid! Today I requested the call be escalated and spoke with Supervisor "Jacob" who advised I NEED to send paperwork/emails to them showing the company admitting to the problems with the gift card. I thought that he was kidding, I have no time for this and it will take quite a while to locate all of the emails and go through ALL of them. I realized after going through so many people who disconnect you (Customer Service) and are rude (they used to be so lovely, I have no idea what happened) I did become very angry.
I asked him if I was hearing correctly, that the onus is on the customer to prove the vendor is lying. I realized then that it would be best to just go directly back to the company and let them resolve and write a letter to the CEO of that company. I told Supervisor Jacob that I want to cancel my Chase Freedom and he connected me with someone who did not answer when I kept saying hello and then I heard the phone ringing and realized I was in the automated system and it was the C/S Dept. and the csr-Vanessa- told me that she was sending me a text to verify who I was and I explained I do not have a cellular for texting could she please email and she said no but there are other options. And I asked her what they are and she told me, "If you calm down I will tell you!" Seriously?
I don't know if she was on drugs because it took her so long to speak and she was going on and on that there were different options for me to verify my information but did not say what they were. I asked her to please tell me what are these other options? She then connected me to the "Security Department." They cancelled my card and when I called back the system said that the card was cancelled for security reasons when this was NOT the case! I was cancelling because if you dispute a charge they don't care and you have to prove that you didn't get a redeemable card and why even have Chase Freedom if you are not protected?
This was a gift card with a high dollar value. I didn't even care about the hundreds of dollars of points I had because I just wanted to cancel my credit card and be done with dealing with unprofessional people. The last csr, "Paul" was humming while I was speaking and he told me that I was interrupting him and I asked him what he said and he said, "You thought that I said something? That is concerning!" I couldn't believe why this csr was so bizarre and when I said I heard him say something and then he said, "I am verbally nodding" and I said, "Oh, I did not know that you were demonstrating active listening skills, it sounded as though you were humming very loudly" and he very snidely said, "Is that so?" I really started to wonder since he said his name was Paul if maybe this was the actor Paul Lynn but this csr was not rude in a cute way like Paul Lynn.
I cannot properly articulate how unhappy I am about having to cancel the card and losing all my points but I just don't care so long as I do not need to speak with such unbelievably rude people. I don't know if they are working from home so they are getting away with this but I am so disappointed in the lack of desire to put the customer first. Do not get a Chase Freedom card if you are considering it and if you have one do not use it for any large purchases because you will not be protected.
Chase Freedom Credit Card Company Information
- Company Name:
- Chase Freedom Credit Card
- Website:
- creditcards.chase.com
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