Chase Freedom Flex Benefits Update
One door is opening and another is closing for the benefits on one of our ToP cards. In September 2026, the Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card will end its cell phone protection benefit. While this is a loss for those who pay their phone bills with the card, there is a bit of a silver lining. Emails have been going out to cardholders this week notifying them of a new benefit: The card will no longer have foreign transaction fees, also starting in September. Let's look at the upcoming Chase Freedom Flex benefits update.
Chase Freedom Flex Benefits
Chase Freedom Flex benefits update aside, the biggest draw of this no-annual-fee card is its earning structure, including its rotating 5% categories on up to $1,500 in spend each quarter. (The card also earns 5% on Chase Travel portal purchases, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 1% on all other eligible purchases.) You can convert cash back into points by pairing it with a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card—which is what makes this card such a powerful points earner.
The Chase Freedom Flex® also includes benefits like DoorDash perks (including $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant DoorDash orders through Dec. 31, 2027, plus 6 months of complimentary access to DashPass) and 2% cash back on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027.
Foreign Transaction Fees Fly Away
This week, Chase sent cardholders an email about the Chase Freedom Flex benefits update, with the subject line reading: “Your exciting new benefit starts September 20th.” Beginning that day, the card will no longer have foreign transaction fees. Currently, the card charges 3% foreign transaction fees.
It joins a family of other Chase cards without foreign transaction fees, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Sapphire Reserve For Business℠, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and many eligible cobranded cards. Now, you may want to consider keeping this card in your wallet for international travel, too. You can use it take advantage of the 5% rotating categories abroad, and also earn 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. This is a great update for travelers.
Cell Phone Protections Depart
This week's cardholder notice about the Chase Freedom Flex benefits update also included a note about the impending end of another perk. Cell phone protection will no longer be offered, also effective September 20th.
Currently, cardholders who charge their monthly cell phone bill to their Chase Freedom Flex® can enjoy certain protections. Per the card's Guide to Benefits, the coverage applies to eligible phones listed on your cellular service provider’s monthly billing statement (for the billing cycle during which an incident happens). It is limited to $800 per claim after a $50 deductible has been applied to the cost of the replacement or repair. Cardholders can submit a maximum of two paid claims per 12-month period and $1,000 per 12-month period. The coverage is only supplemental to other insurance coverage you have, including homeowner’s, renter’s, automobile or insurance through your employer or cell phone provider. So if you have another policy, you'd have to file a claim with it first, and then the Chase benefit would only cover the amount the other policies do not.
You don't have to alter your phone bill charges quite yet, though. Eligible losses incurred through September 19, 2026, will continue to be covered.
Chase Freedom Flex Benefits Update: ToP Thoughts
The cell phone protection offered by the Chase Freedom Flex® has long been a generous benefit, especially for a card with no annual fee. While we are disappointed to see it disappearing soon, the silver lining is a solid new benefit taking its place. Starting September 20, the end of foreign transaction fees for this card make it worthy of taking abroad. Especially if you can take advantage of the rotating 5% categories or 3% on dining and drugstore purchases while traveling. Either way, this card remains an excellent earner, one we recommend regularly as part of the Chase trifecta. What do you think of the Chase Freedom Flex benefits update? Tell us in over in the Facebook group.
