4 reasons why I recommend the Chase Freedom Flex to beginners
Opening your first credit card is generally straightforward. Your best options are student cards and secured cards. But when it comes time to pick out your next card, the choice can feel more challenging. Do you opt for a travel or dining card? Or, is a flexible option with several spending categories the way to go?
Whenever I'm asked about the best credit cards for beginners, the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) always comes to mind before virtually any other card. It was the second card that I opened, and it still holds a meaningful spot in my wallet to this day.
If you're looking for the perfect card to add to your fledgling wallet, let me introduce you to everything the Freedom Flex has to offer.
Easy welcome bonus
Depending on your financial situation, you may not have a high enough income or expenses to make earning a lucrative welcome bonus realistic. Welcome bonuses are one of the most important factors to consider when opening a new credit card; they're the key to unlocking the amazing travel opportunities we always rave about at TPG.
I found myself in this situation when I applied for the Freedom Flex. At the time, I didn't have enough expenses to meet a high spending requirement of $3,000 or more, which made the Freedom Flex's welcome bonus very appealing.
New Freedom Flex cardholders can earn $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening. That's an easy spending requirement to hit and a valuable welcome bonus to receive.
This was my first opportunity to earn a welcome bonus, so I made sure to learn about mistakes I needed to avoid. The last thing anyone wants to do is leave value on the table because of a simple mistake.
Start spending toward your welcome bonus as soon as you can. I like to plan my card applications around when I intend to make large purchases to help me make big strides toward my goal as quickly as possible.
By learning good practices for earning welcome bonuses now, you'll set yourself up for success when you apply for more premium cards with higher welcome offers, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
High earnings
When you're new to the credit card world, you need a card that can effectively cover several types of expenses.
The Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back with Lyft (through Sept. 2027) and Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining (including takeout and delivery) and drugstore purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The final earning category on the Freedom Flex makes it not only a powerhouse for beginners but a necessity in any frequent traveler's wallet. When you activate each calendar quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on a selection of rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in spending each quarter).
Across the year, we tend to see enticing categories like grocery stores, gas stations/electric vehicle charging stations, gyms and Amazon pop up. The Freedom Flex's quarterly categories cover a wide range of purchases; if a given quarter's categories don't fit your spending habits, the next quarter's offerings just might.
I earned over $50 in cash back from the card's Q4 2024 rotating categories, which included pet shops, McDonald's, and PayPal.
With these earning categories, the Freedom Flex can empower your wallet to start earning valuable rewards on a variety of purchases.
Strong travel and purchase protections
It isn't common for no-annual-fee cards to offer solid protections for travel and purchases. However, the Freedom Flex offers an appreciable arsenal of safeguards.
For starters, you'll receive trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance and secondary auto rental collision protection. These benefits are commonly seen on premium travel cards, so receiving them on a beginner-friendly card is a reason to take note.
The Freedom Flex offers purchase and extended warranty protection, so you can feel better about charging expensive or fragile items to your card. Retailers aren't always cooperative about replacing or refunding broken items, so it's important to have a credit card that can act as a safety net.
Finally, by paying for your cellphone bill with your Freedom Flex, you'll receive up to $800 per claim for cellphone insurance. I remember loathing the extra charge on my monthly phone bill for my carrier's insurance. So, as soon as I had a card that offered cellphone insurance, I dropped my carrier's insurance plan and saved a nice chunk of change each month.
While travel and purchase protections aren't the most exciting benefits in the world, they're important to have. Even now with six credit cards to my name, I still appreciate my Freedom Flex's purchase and extended warranty protection whenever I make an expensive purchase to take advantage of a rotating category.
A good building block
Chase's 5/24 rule is definitely one of the crucial parts of building a long-term credit card strategy. It is an unofficial application rule whereby the issuer will deny your application for one of its cards if you've opened five or more personal cards in the past 24 months.
That's why I (and many other experts at TPG) advise that beginners focus on Chase cards before other issuers. Trust me when I say that wanting a Chase card while at or over 5/24 is a painful experience.
By choosing the Freedom Flex early on in your credit card journey, you'll use one of your coveted 5/24 slots for a great Chase card. Using the Freedom Flex frequently but responsibly over several months will build a healthy relationship with Chase. That can then open the door to higher-tier cards like the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve.
Bottom line
There are so many credit cards to choose from that picking the right ones as a beginner can feel overwhelming. From a valuable welcome bonus to impressive earning categories, there are many reasons to pick up the Freedom Flex.
That said, if you're still searching for your first credit card, I recommend considering one of our picks for the best secured cards instead and moving on to the Freedom Flex when you're ready. I don't regret choosing the Freedom Flex as my second credit card, and I know you won't regret applying for it either.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.