Chase Converting Some Old Freedom Cards to Freedom Unlimited

Chase recently launched the Freedom Flex credit card. It replaced the old Chase Freedom card, but that old card never really went away. While it’s no longer available for new applications, those who already have can continue to use it.

If you still have the old Chase Freedom card, you should be aware that Chase is automatically product changing some of these cards to Freedom Unlimited. Some people have already see this change happen in their accounts, while some others have received emails about it. Not all Chase Freedom cardholders are affected by this. (Update: More data points at FICOForums).

“We’re upgrading your Freedom card to Freedom Unlimited to bring you more ways to earn unlimited cash back”, Chase says in the email. The Freedom Unlimited card earns 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% everywhere else. But it doesn’t have the quarterly 5% categories which are a popular feature on the old Freedom and the new Freedom Flex cards.

If you are taking advantage of these 5% categories and want to continue to do so, keep an eye on your old Chase Freedom account to make sure it doesn’t get “upgraded”. Check out the earning rates on both cards, and also on the Chase Freedom Flex (which is very similar to Chase Freedom), and decide which one works best for you.