About a week ago, Chase quietly took down the application page for its Freedom Flex card. If you’d been interested in getting the card, you’re not out of luck. That’s because it’s still available via referral links and product change.
It’s not clear why Chase has taken down public application links. While it could mean they’re planning on discontinuing the card, that would be surprising seeing as it’s been less than five years since Chase launched the card as a replacement for the old Freedom card. A more likely explanation is that they’re planning on refreshing the card and/or changing its payment network from Mastercard to Visa. Could they eliminate 5% categories in favor of some other kind of earning structure? Will 3% on dining and drugstore spend be capped? That remains to be seen.
If Chase did end up retiring the card for new applications permanently, existing cardholders would likely still be grandfathered in to the old earning structure. Despite retiring the original Freedom card five years ago, existing cardholders have had that card’s earning structure maintained.
In the meantime, it is still possible to get the Freedom Flex card. You can apply for a new Freedom Flex by using a referral link; we have one on our Freedom Flex card page. There are also data points that you can product change to a Freedom Flex from other eligible Chase cards like the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred.
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Hopefully just a pause for a new marketing effort or welcome offer. Don’t discontinue the 5X cards!
FWIW, I tried to product change from CSP to Freedom Flex on 7/1 and could not. But I could product change to the OG Freedom Card, so I did that.
Same -Was also told no product change from CSP to Freedom Flex!
Currently, three Amex non-travel cards are offline. A post on Reddit noted new card name trademarks that suggest replacement products for them and the Blue Business Plus/Cash.
It’s probably time for the banks to rethink basic spending cards. A flat 2x seems to work for many. I’d take that over the CFU’s 3/1.5x setup. Hope Chase is listening. As for 5/1 cards, don’t know.