Chase Freedom Flex Categories: 5% Cash Back Calendar
The Chase Freedom Flex® card has become a go-to option for smart spenders looking to maximize their cash back or Ultimate Rewards®. With its rotating bonus categories and the ability to earn 5% back on select purchases, the calendar is packed with opportunities for cardholders to earn and save. We’ve gathered the Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories for , how they work, and the best practices for maximizing your rewards.
Overview of Chase Freedom 5% Cashback
How the Chase Freedom Flex Card Works
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✦ 5% Rotating Categories ✦
Get $150 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening (statement credit), plus 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.
Annual Fee: $0
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Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.
About 5% Cash Back Rotating Categories
Rotating categories are the key feature of the Chase Freedom® (legacy) and Chase Freedom Flex cards, allowing cardholders to earn elevated cash back rates on specific types of purchases during designated periods.
Each quarter, you can earn 5% back (5 Ultimate Rewards) per dollar on up to $1500 combined spending within active bonus categories—such as Groceries, Gas, and Restaurants, and merchants like Amazon, Lowe’s, and Walmart. That’s up to $75 back each quarter on bonus categories. This system rewards cardholders who plan their purchases based on the current cash back opportunities, creating a dynamic way to earn a stellar multiple from your everyday spending.
How to Activate 5% Cash Back Bonus Categories Each Quarter
To take advantage of the bonus categories, you’ll need to activate them each quarter. This is a straightforward process that can be done directly online, through your Chase account, or via the Chase mobile app. Simply log in, navigate to the Freedom Flex card section, and you’ll find an option to activate the current quarter’s categories.
Make sure to do this within the activation period, which is usually 15 days before the quarter begins and 15 days before it ends. If you activate after the quarter has started, rewards will be applied to any purchases will be retroactively, but missing activation altogether means you’ll miss out on earning that valuable 5% back.
Additional Ways to Earn Cash Back
In addition to the quarterly rotating 5% categories, the Chase Freedom Flex card also comes with standard elevated cash back in the following categories:
- 5% back on Travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% back on Restaurants (including Takeout and Delivery)
- 3% back on Drugstores
- 1% back on Other purchases
Tip: Rotating categories can stack with a standard category bonus. For instance, if Restaurants or Drugstores are a quarterly category, you would earn 7% back on those purchases (5% for the quarterly category and the +2% standard category bonus).
What are the current 5% Chase Freedom Flex categories?
Q4 2024 (Oct-Dec):
✦ PayPal – McDonald’s – Pet shops and Vet services – Select charities ✦
These are the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex 5% bonus categories for Q4 2024, for eligible purchases made between October 1 and December 31, 2024, along with any fine print specifics:
Tip: If you’ve got a Chase Freedom Flex® or Chase Freedom® card, you can sign up for the Q4 bonus categories online or in your Chase account until December 14, 2024.
💳 What counts as PayPal?
Eligible at any merchant where PayPal is accepted. Your Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom Flex card must be linked to your PayPal account, and you must use this card as a payment method on PayPal to earn rewards.
🍔 What counts as McDonald’s?
Eligible at McDonald’s stores, including locations within third-party vendors, and on the McDonald’s app. However, Gift cards and McDonald’s merchandise purchased through third-party platforms are not eligible.
🐶 What counts as Pet Shops and Vet services?
Eligible merchants provide products or services for pet care, including pet shops (including online shops) that sell pet supplies, accessories, pet food and/or services for the upkeep of pets and licensed veterinary services. However, doggy daycare, pet insurance, and grooming services are not eligible.
🎗️ What counts as Select charities?
Eligible charities include American Red Cross, Equal Justice Initiatives, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Leadership Conference Education Fund, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, National Urban League, Thurgood, Marshall College Fund, United Negro College Fund, UNICEF USA, United Way, World Central Kitchen, GLSEN, Out and Equal, and Sage.
See the full terms from Chase
Q3 2024 (Jun-Sep):
✦ Gas and EV charging – Movie theaters – Live entertainment ✦
These are the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex 5% bonus categories for Q3 2024, for eligible purchases made between July 1 and September 30, 2024, along with any fine print specifics:
⛽️ What counts as Gas and EV charging?
Eligible merchants sell gas for cars, whether at the pump or inside the store. However, truck stops, boat marinas, oil and propane distributors, and home heating companies are not eligible.
Eligible merchants sell electric vehicle charging services that can be paid at the charging station, via mobile app, account/subscription, or an attendant.
🍿 What counts as Movie theaters?
Eligible merchants show motion pictures to an audience, including at drive-in theaters.
🎭 What counts as Live entertainment?
Eligible merchants in this category sell tickets for live in-person entertainment such as major professional sporting events, zoos and aquariums, concerts, theatrical productions, museums, tourist attractions and exhibits, amusement parks, circuses, carnivals, bands, and entertainers. Ticket agencies selling on behalf of the entertainment venue are included.
See the full terms from Chase
Chase Freedom Calendar: Examples of Past Card Bonus Categories
2024
- Q2: Amazon.com and Whole Foods, Restaurants, Hotels
- Q1: Groceries, Gym/fitness, Self-care and spas
2023
- Q1: Grocery stores, Target, Fitness clubs and gym memberships
- Q2: Amazon, Lowe’s
- Q3: Gas stations, EV charging, Select live entertainment
- Q4: Wholesale clubs, Select charities, PayPal
2022
- Q1: Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), eBay
- Q2: Amazon, Select streaming services
- Q3: Gas stations, Rental car agencies, Movie theaters, Select live entertainment
- Q4: Walmart, PayPal
2021
- Q1: Cable, internet, and phone services, Wholesale clubs, Select streaming services
- Q2: Gas stations, Home improvement stores
- Q3: Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), Select streaming services
- Q4: Walmart, PayPal
Using the Chase Freedom Flex Card for Maximum Benefits
How to Maximize Cash Back with Rotating Categories
Start by always using your card for purchases that fall within the activated bonus categories, unless you have a card that earns a higher rate. You should always align your spending with the quarterly categories.
For example, if the category for a specific quarter includes Restaurants, consider doing your dining on the card during that period. It will actually net 7% back because of the 5% quarterly bonus that stacks with the standard +2% on restaurants.
Additionally, consider setting up alerts and emails for when new categories are announced, so you can activate them promptly and plan your spending accordingly.
Redeeming Ultimate Rewards for Cash Back
Redeeming your earnings as cash back is a simple way to cash in on your rewards if you don’t travel. You can choose to apply your cash back at 1¢ per point towards your statement balance or redeem for gift cards.
Using Chase Ultimate Rewards for Travel
One of the best strategies for maximizing your cash back is to combine your Chase Freedom Flex card with other Chase cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® card. When you have multiple Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards, you can combine those rewards.
By doing so, you can take advantage of point transfer partners available to Sapphire cardholders. This will give you potentially outsized value for your accumulated points, as we often see transferred points resulting in 2x or more value on airfare and hotels.
Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back FAQ
What is the Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back program?
The Chase Freedom 5% cash back program allows you to earn a whopping 5% cash back on purchases made in specific categories that change every quarter. It’s a fantastic way to maximize your rewards on everyday spending, as long as you activate the bonus categories each quarter. It’s as easy as that.
How do I activate the bonus categories for the Chase Freedom card?
To get your 5% cash back, you need to activate the bonus categories that are available each quarter. You can do this by logging into your Chase account online or through the mobile app. Just find the section for Freedom Flex cardholders, and follow the prompts to activate. Remember, you have to do this each quarter, or you’ll miss out on those extra rewards.
Is there a quarterly limit on the cash back that can be earned?
Yes, you can earn elevated cash back on up to $1500 of combined spending on activated categories each quarter. That’s up to $75 back each quarter. After that, any spending will earn the baseline 1% cash back.
Can I still earn cash back on other purchases?
You can still earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, and any standard elevated cash back such as 3% on Restaurants and Drugstores. So, even if you’re not shopping in the current Freedom Flex categories, your everyday purchases will still earn you rewards.
What happens if I don’t activate the bonus categories?
If you forget to activate the bonus categories, you’ll miss out on the 5% cash back for that quarter. Instead, all your purchases will only earn you the standard 1% cash back. So, it’s super important to set a reminder for yourself each quarter to activate those categories and make the most of your Chase Freedom Flex® card.
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