The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a popular cashback credit card that offers a range of rewards and benefits to its users. One of the most attractive features of this card is its quarterly categories, which allow cardholders to earn bonus cashback on specific purchases for a limited time.
Every quarter, Chase Freedom Flex announces new categories that are eligible for bonus cashback. These categories typically include popular merchants and retailers, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and online marketplaces. Cardholders can earn up to 5% cashback on eligible purchases, subject to a quarterly spending cap.
Understanding these quarterly categories and how to maximize rewards can be a valuable tool for savvy credit card users. By taking advantage of these bonus categories, cardholders can earn significant cashback on everyday purchases and save money in the long run.
Current Quarterly Categories
The current quarterly categories for 5% back (or 5 points per dollar) between April 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023, are:
- Amazon
- Lowes
It’s important to note that the 5% cashback is only applicable on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter. Any purchases beyond that will earn 1% cashback.
You must also activate your card to unlock the extra points in these categories.
History of the 5x Categories
Below is the history of the 5x point categories since 2020:
| Year & Quarter | Bonus Categories |
|---|---|
| 2023 – Q2 | Amazon and Lowe’s. |
| 2023 – Q1 | Grocery stores, gym memberships, fitness clubs, Target. |
| 2022 – Q4 | Walmart and PayPal. |
| 2022 – Q3 | Gas stations, rental cars, movie theaters and select live entertainment. |
| 2022 – Q2 | Amazon.com and select streaming services. |
| 2022 – Q1 | eBay and grocery stores. |
| 2021 – Q4 | Walmart and PayPal. |
| 2021 – Q3 | Grocery stores and select streaming services. |
| 2021 – Q2 | Gas stations and home improvement stores. |
| 2021 – Q1 | Wholesale clubs, internet, cable and phone services, and select streaming services. |
| 2020 – Q4 | Walmart and PayPal. |
| 2020 – Q3 | Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. |
| 2020 – Q2 | Grocery stores, gym memberships and fitness clubs, and select streaming services. |
| 2020 – Q1 | Gas stations; internet, cable and phone services; and select streaming services. |
As you can see, the categories have included a variety of popular spending areas, such as grocery stores, gas stations, Walmart, and select streaming.
Some categories have been repeated from year to year, while others have been unique to a specific year.
The Verdict
Chase Freedom Flex’s quarterly categories provide a great opportunity for cardholders to earn cashback on their purchases.
The categories change every quarter, so it’s important to keep track of them and activate them in time.
The card offers 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards on everyday purchases.
- Earn $200 Bonus Cash Back After Spending $500 in the First 3 Months
- 5% Cash Back in Quarterly Bonus Categories (up to $1,500 in combined spending after activation)
- 5% Cash Back on Travel Purchased Via Chase
- 3% Cash Back at Restaurants, Eligible Food Delivery, and Drug Stores
- Cell Phone Insurance and Purchase Protection
- No Annual Fee
