Chase Freedom Flex Is Eliminating Foreign Transaction Fees, but Dropping Cell Phone Protection

Freedom Flex removes foreign transaction fees but ends cell phone protection on September 20, 2026. Here's what cardholders should know.

By Olena | Jul 27, 2026 at 11:18 AM EST — 5 min read

Chase Freedom Flex Is Eliminating Foreign Transaction Fees, but Dropping Cell Phone Protection

Photo: big4credit.com

Beginning September 20, 2026, the Chase Freedom Flex® will undergo two significant changes that may affect how cardholders use the card.

On the positive side, Chase is eliminating foreign transaction fees, making the Freedom Flex a more practical option for international travel.

However, the card is also discontinuing its Cell Phone Protection benefit, removing a perk that many cardholders relied on for protection against theft or damage when paying their monthly wireless bill with the card.

For some consumers, the changes may represent an upgrade. For others, they may be a reason to move their monthly phone bill to a different credit card.

What’s Changing?

New Benefit: No Foreign Transaction Fees

Starting September 20, 2026, Freedom Flex purchases made outside the United States will no longer incur foreign transaction fees.

This makes the card considerably more attractive for:

International travel
Purchases from foreign merchants
Online shopping from international retailers

Previously, many travelers paired Freedom Flex with another card to avoid foreign transaction fees. That will no longer be necessary.

Benefit Being Removed: Cell Phone Protection

At the same time, Chase is removing the card’s Cell Phone Protection benefit.

Previously, eligible cardholders could receive coverage for theft or damage by paying their monthly wireless bill with the Freedom Flex.

Once the benefit ends, cardholders who value this protection may want to consider switching their phone bill to another credit card that continues to offer cell phone insurance.

Best Credit Cards That Still Offer Cell Phone Protection

Several excellent credit cards continue to include cell phone protection as a complimentary benefit:

Wells Fargo Active Cash®: best for people who want a simple, no-hassle everyday cashback card. Its biggest strength is that it earns 2% cash rewards on every purchase with no categories to track and no annual fee.
Wells Fargo Autograph®: best for people who spend heavily in everyday lifestyle and travel categories. It earns 3X points in multiple high-value categories and offers no annual and foreign transaction fees.
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa®: best for financing a large purchase over time and balance transfer. It offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles and no annual fee.
One Key™ Card: it is a niche travel card designed for people who frequently book through Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo. It earns 3% in OneKeyCash on eligible bookings, has no annual fee, and charges no foreign transaction fees.
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®: it is a niche hotel rewards card designed for travelers who frequently stay at Choice Hotels properties. It helps cardholders earn Choice Privileges points faster, provides hotel loyalty benefits, and charges no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Looking for a Card Without Foreign Transaction Fees?

While Freedom Flex is joining the growing list of cards that waive foreign transaction fees, there are already several excellent alternatives.

Popular options include:

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: it is no-annual-fee travel card that earns 4X points on travel, gas, and EV charging while offering valuable travel protections, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees. It is a strong choice for travelers who want flexible rewards without being tied to a specific airline or hotel program.
Capital One Savor Rewards: it is a top choice for foodies and entertainment enthusiasts, offering 3% cashback on dining, groceries, entertainment, and streaming services. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it is a versatile lifestyle rewards card that pairs well with travel-focused cards.
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards: it is a straightforward cashback card that earns 1.5% cashback on every purchase with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It is a solid choice for beginners and anyone who wants simple rewards without tracking spending categories.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards: it is a simple no-annual-fee travel card that earns unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase and offers no foreign transaction fees. It is a good choice for occasional travelers who want travel rewards without paying an annual fee or committing to a specific airline or hotel program.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards: it is a straightforward no-annual-fee travel card that earns unlimited 1.5X points on every purchase and offers no foreign transaction fees. It is especially valuable for BofA Rewards™ members who can boost their rewards rate while enjoying a simple travel rewards experience.

These cards already allow cardholders to make purchases abroad without paying foreign transaction fees, making them strong choices for international travelers.

» MORE: See Big4credit’s best no foreign transaction fee credit cards

Should Freedom Flex Cardholders Do Anything?

Not necessarily.

If you primarily use the Freedom Flex for its rotating 5% cashback categories and everyday rewards, the addition of no foreign transaction fees is a welcome improvement.

However, if you’ve been using the card specifically to insure your smartphone, you’ll likely want to move your monthly wireless bill to another card that still offers cell phone protection before the benefit ends.

For travelers, the changes make the Freedom Flex more versatile.

For consumers who value built-in phone insurance, they may make the card slightly less compelling than before.

Bottom Line

The Chase Freedom Flex® is gaining an important travel-friendly feature by eliminating foreign transaction fees beginning September 20, 2026. At the same time, it’s losing one of its more valuable purchase protections — cell phone insurance.

Whether these changes are positive depends largely on how you use the card. Frequent travelers will likely welcome the removal of foreign transaction fees, while anyone relying on the card for phone protection should consider switching that recurring payment to another eligible credit card before the benefit disappears.

» MORE: See Big4credit’s best travel credit cards

The information about the credit cards has been collected independently by big4credit.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.