Chase Freedom Flex Drops Foreign Transaction Fees, Adds $250 Welcome Offer

Updated: September 21, 2026, 2:32pm CDT

Edited by:

Jump to Section

Table of Contents

No Foreign Transaction Fees and More Chase Travel Value
Final Thoughts

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you’ve ever left your Chase Freedom Flex^® at home before an international trip because of its foreign transaction fees, Chase is giving you a good reason to pack it next time.

The popular $0-annual-fee card is dropping foreign transaction fees and adding several other updates, including Points Boost hotel offers, new card art, and a limited-time $250 welcome offer.

Here’s what’s changing.

No Foreign Transaction Fees and More Chase Travel Value

The biggest news is that cardholders of the Freedom Flex card will no longer pay foreign transaction fees.

That fixes one of the card’s biggest weaknesses. Although the Freedom Flex card earns 3% cash-back rewards on dining, foreign transaction fees made it a poor choice at restaurants abroad. Now, cardholders can use the card internationally without paying extra fees.

Jicaro Island dining table close up — The Freedom Flex card now earns 3x points on dining abroad with no foreign transaction fees. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

This change also makes the Freedom Flex card a more well-rounded travel card. Cardholders already earn 5% cash-back rewards on purchases made through Chase Travel.

Furthermore, Chase is adding another way to get value through its travel portal. All Chase Freedom cardholders will have access to Points Boost offers on select hotel bookings through Chase Travel. Eligible offers will make points worth up to 10% more when redeemed for participating hotels. It’s not a huge increase, but it could help you stretch your rewards slightly further when Chase Travel has a competitive hotel rate.

New applicants will also receive an elevated $250 welcome offer after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of card opening. For a card with a $0 annual fee, that is a very reasonable spending requirement in exchange for a solid welcome bonus.

The card’s rotating 5% cash-back categories are sticking around as well. For the first time, grocery stores will be featured in consecutive quarters — during the fourth quarter of 2026 and again in the first quarter of 2027. Activation is required.

Finally, the Freedom Flex card is getting new card art featuring a deep blue background and an upward-sloping stardust design. It will be available to both new and existing cardholders.

Hot Tip:

If you also carry an Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card or Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card, you can combine the rewards earned with your Freedom Flex card and transfer them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.

Final Thoughts

With these new updates, the Freedom Flex card is becoming an even more useful $0-annual-fee card. No foreign transaction fees make it easier to use overseas, while the $250 welcome offer and new Points Boost deals add even more value.

However, these come at the same as the card lost its previous cell phone protection benefit.