Chase Freedom 5% Bonus Category Calendar 2024
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The Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® are known for their rotating bonus categories, which let cardholders earn 5% (on up to $1,500) on everyday purchases throughout the year. To earn the elevated rate on the cards’ Q4 bonus categories, you’ll need to activate the categories by Dec. 14. If you don’t, you’ll only earn the standard 1% on those purchases. It’s worth the effort, though, as you’ll earn $75 cash back for the quarter if you max out the spend cap.
Chase Freedom calendar for 2024
| Quarter | Chase bonus categories | Activation deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March |
| March 14 |
| Q2: April through June |
| June 14 |
| Q3: July through September |
| September 14 |
| Q4: October through December |
| December 14 |
What’s included in the McDonald’s category? This category includes purchases made at McDonald’s stores, including locations within third-party vendors, and on the McDonald’s mobile app. Gift cards and McDonald’s merchandise purchased from third parties are not included.
What’s included in the PayPal category? This category includes all PayPal purchases made with your Chase Freedom Flex℠ card. Person-to-person transactions may not be eligible, and PayPal purchases made in other current bonus categories will earn a total of 5% cash back.
What’s included in the pet shops and vet services? In addition to merchants providing products and/or services for pet care, this category includes pet shops selling domestic pets both in store and online. Vet services includes licensed practitioners who provide veterinary medicine, dentistry or surgery for pets, livestock and other animals.
What’s included in the select charities category? This category includes the following charities: 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 & Equal and Sage.
Past Chase cash back calendars
Chase announces its new bonus categories every quarter, so it’s tough to predict which categories we’ll see in 2025. However, past Chase calendars provide hints, as Chase tends to repeat categories throughout the years. For example, grocery stores, gas stations and PayPal were included in each of the past three years.
| Quarter | 2021 categories | 2022 categories | 2023 categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March | Wholesale clubs, select streaming services and internet, cable and phone services | Grocery stores and eBay | Grocery stores (excluding Walmart), Target, fitness clubs and gym memberships |
| Q2: April through June | Gas stations and home improvement stores | Amazon.com and select streaming services | Lowe’s and Amazon.com |
| Q3: July through September | Grocery stores and select streaming services | Gas stations, car rental agencies, movie theaters and select live entertainment | Gas stations, EV charging and select live entertainment |
| Q4: October through December | Walmart and PayPal | Walmart and PayPal | PayPal, wholesale clubs and select charities |
Which Chase cards offer rotating bonus categories?
The only Chase cards offering the 5% cash back bonus are the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® (no longer accepting new applicants). The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sets itself apart from other rotating bonus category cards by offering tiered rewards on other purchases instead of the standard 1% flat rate.
In addition to 5% cash back on activated bonus categories, you’ll earn:
- 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% back at restaurants (including take-out and eligible deliveries) and drugstores
- 1% back on all other purchases
You’ll also get an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, as well as the chance to earn a valuable sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Activating Chase bonus categories
Chase gives you several ways to activate its categories — the easiest ways are online or through the Chase mobile app. You can also set up email reminders in your Chase account, allowing you to activate with just one click.
Other activation methods include:
- Calling the number on the back of your card and activating by phone
- Visiting any Chase bank and activating with a personal banker
- Activating via an ATM while making a withdrawal
Making the most of Chase’s 5% Bonus
With these helpful tips, you can maximize your rewards and make the most of Chase’s 5% bonus:
Activate the bonus categories ASAP
While Chase gives you until the 14th of the last month of the quarter to activate, it’s best to opt in as soon as the new bonus categories are announced. That way, you won’t have to worry about remembering the deadline and can get a head start on planning out your purchases.
Pair your Chase card with another cash back card
Want to earn more than 1% on regular purchases? You can double your earnings by pairing your eligible Chase card with a 2% cash back card. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Plus, you’ll earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Max out the $1,500 spending cap
To make the most of the 5% bonus rate, you should try to max out the $1,500 spending cap each quarter. If you do, you’ll net $300 in bonus cash back for the year. However, you should still prioritize paying off your balance each month and keeping your credit utilization ratio at or below 30%.
Redeeming Chase cash back
While it’s marketed as a cash back card, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. In addition to being more valuable than other credit card points, Chase points are also very flexible. They can be redeemed for any of the following:
- Cash deposited into your bank account
- Statement credits
- Chase Experiences
- Amazon.com and PayPal purchases
- Merchandise
- Travel
- Gift cards
- Transfer to travel partners
According to our estimates, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back. However, when you transfer your points to one of Chase’s travel partners, they can be worth around 2 cents each.
Chase cash back calendar vs. Discover cash back calendar
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® aren’t the only cards offering 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories — some of the best Discover credit cards boast a similar rewards program. The Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back also let you earn bonus cash back (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%) on different categories each quarter (activation required).
The Discover cash back calendar for the fourth quarter of 2024 includes Amazon.com and Target.
| Quarter | 2024 Chase categories | 2024 Discover categories |
|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March | Grocery Stores, fitness club and gym memberships and self-care and spa services | Restaurants and drugstores |
| Q2: April through June | Hotels booked directly with the hotel (plus through Chase Travel), restaurants and Amazon.com | Gas stations, EV charging stations, home improvement stores and public transit |
| Q3: July through September | Select live entertainment, movie theaters and gas stations and EV charging stations | Walmart and grocery stores |
| Q4: October through December | McDonald’s, PayPal, pet shops and vet services and select charities | Amazon.com and Target |
The biggest difference between the two programs is that Chase’s activation is retroactive, while Discover’s is not. With Discover, you won’t earn a bonus on purchases made prior to activation. For example, if you don’t activate the first-quarter bonus categories until March 14, any eligible purchases made before that date will only earn the standard 1%.
However, Chase lets you earn the elevated rate retroactively — as long as you activate by the quarterly deadline. So as long as you activate the first-quarter categories by Dec. 14, you’ll still earn 5% on eligible purchases you made earlier in the quarter. Just be aware that you’ll only earn 1% on those previous purchases if you activate after Dec. 14.
Alternative to rotating bonus category cards
Apply Now A great alternative to the Chase and Discover cards, the Citi Custom Cash® Card provides cardholders with a much simpler way to earn 5% cash back. You’ll automatically earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
Eligible 5% categories include:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Select travel
- Select transit
- Select streaming services
- Drugstores
- Home improvement stores
- Fitness clubs
- Live entertainment
Like the Chase Freedom Flex℠, the Citi Custom Cash® Card also comes with an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Plus, you can earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Chase offers a diverse selection of credit cards that are good for many different types of consumers. The best Chase cards come with valuable rewards programs and excellent sign-up bonuses.
No, your Chase cash back rewards won’t expire as long as your account is open.
Choosing the best Chase card depends on your financial goals and spending habits. For example, if you’re looking to build credit, the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card is a great option. It’s designed for consumers with no or limited credit history, and offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
However, if you already have excellent credit and want a great travel credit card, we recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. You’ll earn 2x-5x points on travel and gain access to more than 12 travel transfer partners. Plus, your rewards are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase TravelSM.
The information related to the Chase Freedom Flex℠, Chase Freedom®, Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Discover it® Cash Back, Discover it® Student Cash Back and Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
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