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.
Current Quarterly Categories
Chase has announced an exciting lineup of 5% cash back categories for Q3 2025. You’ll earn 5% cash back (or 5x points) on purchases in these categories until June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in combined spending.
The Q3 bonus categories include:
- Gas Stations
- EV Charging
- Instacart
- Select Live Entertainment (Live in-person entertainment such as major sporting events, zoos and aquariums, concerts, theatrical productions, museums, tourist attractions and exhibits, amusement parks, circuses, carnivals, bands, and entertainers.)
Don’t forget to activate your bonus categories through your Chase account. Registration is open now, and you’ll need to activate to start earning the bonus rewards.
Remember that the 5% rate applies to your first $1,500 in combined spending across all bonus categories. After reaching this threshold, purchases in these categories will earn the standard 1% back.
History of the 5x Categories
Below is the history of the 5x point categories since 2020:
- 2025 – Gas Stations, EV Charging, Instacart, and Select Live Entertainment
- 2025 – Q2: Amazon and Select Streaming (Special category for June of Internet, Cable, and Phone Services)
- 2025 – March: Tax Preparation and Insurance (Special Category for Chase Freedom’s 15th Birthday)
- 2025 – Q1: Select Grocery stores, Fitness Club and Gym Memberships, Self-care and Spa Services, and Norwegian Cruise Line purchases
- 2024 – Q4: McDonald’s, PayPal, Pet Shops, Vet Services, and Select Charities
- 2024 – Q3: Gas Stations, EV Charging, Select Live Entertainment, and Movie Theaters
- 2024 – Q2: Amazon, Whole Foods, Hotels, and Restaurants
- 2024 – Q1: Grocery Stores, Fitness Clubs and Gym Membership, and Self-Care and Spa Services
- 2023 – Q4: PayPal, Wholesale Clubs, and Select Charities
- 2023 – Q3: Gas Stations, Electric Vehicle Charging, and Select Live Entertainment
- 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
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 a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases 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
