Does Chase Freedom have foreign transaction fees? It depends on which Freedom card you have. Chase Freedom Flex currently has no foreign transaction fee, while Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Rise generally charge 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
This distinction matters when you travel or shop with international merchants online. This guide explains the current Freedom fees, currency conversion, merchant charges, and what to check before using your card abroad.
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Does Chase Freedom Have Foreign Transaction Fees?
The Chase Freedom family does not have one foreign transaction fee that applies to every card. As of September 2026, Chase Freedom Flex has no foreign transaction fee, following a recent change to that card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Rise currently list a 3% foreign transaction fee. Older or discontinued Freedom cards may have different terms, so you should check your own cardmember agreement.
Chase Freedom Foreign Transaction Fees at a Glance
| Card | Foreign transaction fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex | None currently | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Rise | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | $0 |
| Legacy Chase Freedom | May vary by account | Usually $0 |
Chase officially announced the removal of the Freedom Flex foreign transaction fee in September 2026. Its current Freedom Flex product page also states that the card has no foreign transaction fees.
Some older Chase comparison pages may still display the previous 3% Flex fee. If you see conflicting information, your current card agreement and Chase’s latest product terms should generally control.
Does Chase Freedom Flex Have a Foreign Transaction Fee?
No. Chase Freedom Flex currently has no foreign transaction fee.
Chase announced the change on September 21, 2026, as part of an update to the Freedom Flex card. Existing and new eligible Freedom Flex cardholders can generally make foreign purchases without paying a Chase foreign transaction fee.
This is a significant change because the card previously charged 3% on foreign transactions. The card still has no annual fee.
Freedom Flex generally earns:
- 5% cash back on activated quarterly categories, up to the quarterly spending cap.
- 5% on eligible travel purchased through Chase Travel.
- 3% on dining.
- 3% at drugstores.
- 1% on other purchases.
Those reward rates do not mean every foreign purchase earns more than 1%. Your earning rate still depends on the merchant category and current bonus categories.
Pro Tip: If you have Freedom Flex, check that the card shown in your Chase account is actually Freedom Flex. A legacy Freedom card that looks similar may follow different foreign transaction fee rules.
Does Chase Freedom Unlimited Have Foreign Transaction Fees?
Yes. Chase Freedom Unlimited currently lists a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
For example, if a qualifying foreign purchase converts to $500, a 3% foreign transaction fee would generally equal $15. Your total cost would then be about $515 before any other merchant charges.
Freedom Unlimited earns at least 1.5% cash back on ordinary purchases. However, a 3% foreign transaction fee can generally cost more than the base rewards you earn on a foreign purchase.
You should therefore check the fee before using Freedom Unlimited extensively overseas. A different card with no foreign transaction fee may avoid that added issuer charge.
Does Chase Freedom Rise Charge Foreign Transaction Fees?
Yes. Chase Freedom Rise currently lists a 3% foreign transaction fee on transactions converted to U.S. dollars.
Freedom Rise is generally designed for consumers who are new to credit. It currently has no annual fee and generally earns 1.5% cash back on purchases.
A 3% foreign fee can outweigh the normal 1.5% cash back. You should keep that difference in mind if you plan to use Freedom Rise outside the United States.
What About the Original Chase Freedom Card?
Chase previously offered an original Chase Freedom card that is no longer generally available to new applicants. Some people still have this legacy card.
You should not assume its terms changed when Freedom Flex removed its foreign transaction fee. Recent cardholder reports suggest some legacy Freedom accounts still charge foreign transaction fees.
Your specific agreement is the best source because legacy products can have terms that differ from current cards. You can usually check your pricing information through your Chase account or contact Chase using the number on the back of your card.
What Is a Foreign Transaction Fee?
A foreign transaction fee is generally an extra charge added by your credit card issuer when a transaction involves a foreign currency or international processing.
Chase says these fees commonly range from about 1% to 3%, although exact costs vary by card. Some transactions may trigger a fee even when you are physically in the United States.
For example, you could purchase something online from an international merchant. If the transaction meets your card’s definition of a foreign transaction, the fee may apply.
Foreign Transaction Fee vs. Currency Conversion
A foreign transaction fee and a currency exchange rate are not the same thing.
If you buy an item priced in euros, pounds, yen, or another currency, the payment network generally converts that charge into U.S. dollars. The exchange rate determines the converted amount on your statement.
A card with a foreign transaction fee can then add its percentage charge to that converted amount. A card with no foreign transaction fee generally skips that additional issuer fee.
That means Freedom Flex can still show a converted U.S. dollar amount when you buy something abroad. The conversion itself does not mean Chase charged you a foreign transaction fee.
Should You Pay in U.S. Dollars or Local Currency?
An overseas merchant may ask whether you want to pay in U.S. dollars or the local currency. This service is generally called dynamic currency conversion.
If you choose U.S. dollars, the merchant or its payment processor generally sets the exchange rate. That rate may include a markup.
Chase generally notes that paying in local currency may provide a better exchange rate because your card network handles the conversion instead.
Common Mistakes: Do not assume selecting U.S. dollars avoids a foreign transaction fee. Dynamic currency conversion is separate, and a card that charges a foreign transaction fee may still apply it depending on how the purchase is processed.
Can You Be Charged Extra Even With Freedom Flex?
Yes. Having no foreign transaction fee only removes the fee charged by Chase for that type of transaction.
You may still encounter:
- Merchant credit card surcharges.
- Dynamic currency conversion costs.
- Hotel or rental car authorization holds.
- Local taxes.
- Service charges.
- Tips.
- ATM or cash advance fees.
You should review the payment screen before approving a foreign purchase. A fee charged by a merchant is generally separate from Chase’s foreign transaction fee.
What Happens With Foreign Refunds?
If you return something purchased in another currency, the refund generally needs to be converted back into U.S. dollars.
Exchange rates can change between your original purchase and the refund date. Because of that, the dollar amount credited to your account may differ slightly from what you originally paid.
That difference does not necessarily mean Chase withheld a foreign transaction fee. Check the original currency amount and refund receipt before reporting an error.
How to Check Your Chase Freedom Fee
Your current cardmember agreement is generally the most reliable place to confirm your fee. Open your Chase account and look for pricing, account documents, or your card agreement.
You can also call the number printed on the back of your card. This may be especially useful if you have an older Freedom product or recently changed cards.
Consumer discussions on Reddit show that some users were confused when Freedom Flex dropped its foreign transaction fee while other Freedom products did not. This is why you should confirm the exact product name rather than relying only on the word “Freedom.”
BBB and Trustpilot also contain complaints about Chase credit card fees, account restrictions, and customer service. These are individual reports and do not replace the terms of your specific account.
FAQs: Does Chase Freedom Have Foreign Transaction Fees
Q. Does Chase Freedom Flex charge foreign transaction fees?
A. No. Chase Freedom Flex currently has no foreign transaction fee following a September 2026 card update. Your foreign purchases may still involve currency conversion or merchant-added charges.
Q. Does Chase Freedom Unlimited charge a foreign transaction fee?
A. Yes. Chase currently lists a 3% foreign transaction fee for Freedom Unlimited. The fee is generally based on the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction.
Q. Does Chase Freedom Rise have foreign transaction fees?
A. Yes. Freedom Rise currently carries a 3% foreign transaction fee. You should generally check the fee before using the card for significant international spending.
Q. Can you avoid Chase Freedom foreign transaction fees by paying in U.S. dollars?
A. Not necessarily. Paying a foreign merchant in U.S. dollars may involve dynamic currency conversion, and the transaction may still qualify for a foreign fee depending on your card and how it is processed.
Conclusion
Does Chase Freedom have foreign transaction fees? The answer currently depends on your specific card. Chase Freedom Flex has no foreign transaction fee, while Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Rise generally charge 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
If you have an older Freedom card, check your current account terms before traveling. You should also watch for exchange-rate differences, dynamic currency conversion, and merchant surcharges because those costs are separate from Chase’s foreign transaction fee.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice. Chase, payment-network, exchange-rate, and card policies may change, so you should verify account-specific questions with Chase before making international purchases.
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