Trek Guide

Chase Freedom Flex drops its foreign transaction fee, what it means abroad

From 21 September 2026 the Chase Freedom Flex charges no foreign transaction fee. The Freedom Unlimited still charges 3%. Here is what else changed.

By Bishnu Adhikari · Sep 27, 2026

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Chase removed foreign transaction fees from the Chase Freedom Flex on 21 September 2026, so the no-annual-fee card can now be used abroad and with overseas online shops without the usual surcharge. Chase's announcement says the change applies to Freedom Flex…

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What Chase changed on 21 September

Chase made four changes to the Freedom Flex: no foreign transaction fees, Points Boost on select Chase Travel hotels, a one-quarter preview of the 5% categories, and a new card design. In the release's words, "Starting today, Freedom Flex cardmembers can make…

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What it means if you travel

A $0 card with no foreign transaction fee is exactly what most people need on a trip: a backup that costs nothing to hold and nothing to swipe abroad. On a card that still charges one, such as Chase's own Freedom Unlimited at 3%, every purchase abroad costs…

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The 5% categories, and the new preview

Chase has named the Q1 2027 categories early: top streaming services and grocery stores, excluding Walmart and Target. For the first time, Chase says, grocery stores are a 5% category in two consecutive quarters, Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, with a spend cap applied…

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Points Boost and the $250 bonus

Points Boost makes Chase Freedom points worth up to 10% more on select hotels booked through Chase Travel. Chase states that points are worth $0.01 each when redeemed through Chase Travel, so a boosted offer lifts that on the hotels included; the offers…

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Our verdict

If you wanted a no-annual-fee card to take abroad, the Freedom Flex is now a sound choice; if you already hold one, you can simply start using it on your next trip. It still earns 1% on most purchases, so frequent travellers will get more from a travel card…

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Keep reading

The four decisions that choose a card, with every comparison in one place. The four charges on a trip abroad, and how to dodge them. The card-machine question that costs travellers most. When to pay which way on a trip. Two $95 travel cards with no foreign…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

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