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Chase; Insider
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is one of the most powerful tools in the wallet of cash-back seekers and travel enthusiasts alike. There are two reasons for this:
The current bonus categories for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom®
(no longer available to new applicants) are gas stations, rental car agencies, movie theaters, and select live entertainment. But you must activate the bonus categories by September 14, 2022, or you’ll miss out.
Find the right Chase credit card for you
Best for everyday spending
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Best overall for travel rewards
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Best for bonus categories
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
$50 Bonus after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases
Best small-business travel rewards card
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Best for small-business bonus categories
$750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Best small-business card for flat-rate rewards
$750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.
Here’s what you need to know.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Activate Chase Freedom rotating category bonuses
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
17.24% – 25.99% Variable
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
While Chase markets the Chase Freedom Flex℠ as a cash-back card, it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points which you can redeem for cash at a rate of 1 cent each. When you earn 5% back, you’re actually earning 5 Chase points per dollar.
The real value of Ultimate Rewards points can only be unlocked if you have one of the following cards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
These allow you to convert your rewards into airline miles and hotel points with Chase transfer partners, and also offer better redemption value when you book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or through Pay Yourself Back.
Currently, you’ll earn 5% cash back (5x points) for gas stations, rental car agencies, movie theaters, and select live entertainment purchases between July 1 and September 30, 2022. You must activate this bonus by September 14, 2022.
Even if you haven’t yet activated this bonus, you will retroactively earn 5% back for all previous qualifying purchases (up to $1,500 in spending) during the quarter.
Starting September 15, you won’t be able to activate the Q3 bonus anymore — instead, the Q4 (October to December) bonus categories will be revealed and activation will open.
