Still have the original Chase Freedom? Here’s why I switched to the Freedom Flex

I've had the legacy Chase Freedom®* since 2017, and for years, it was one of those cards I had no reason to get rid of.It had no annual fee, 5% rotating bonus categories (upon activation on up to $1,500 in spending each quarter) and, because I also have premium Chase cards, I could turn the cash back I earned into transferable Ultimate Rewards points.But after nearly a decade, I called Chase and asked to product change my legacy Freedom to the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees).For me, the decision came down to two changes that make the Flex substantially more useful, particularly for someone who lives abroad.*This card is no longer available to new applicants. The information for the Chase Freedom has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.Why I finally made the switchThe original Chase Freedom hasn't been available to new applicants since late 2020, when Chase introduced the Freedom Flex. Existing cardholders could continue using their legacy cards, which is what I did.The problem for me was that the legacy Freedom charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.I moved to Spain last year, and...