Chase is a top financial company with a great rewards program. It lets cardholders get bonus cash back in certain categories that change every quarter. These categories are on the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom cards. Cardholders can get up to 5% cash back on $1,500 spent in these categories, if they activate the bonus.
The categories include things like groceries, restaurants, gas stations, and streaming services. Knowing and using these categories can help cardholders earn more. This way, they can get the most out of their credit card rewards.
Key Takeaways
- Chase offers a rewards program with rotating quarterly bonus categories, providing up to 5% cash back on $1,500 in combined purchases.
- The bonus categories cover a variety of common spending areas, including groceries, restaurants, gas stations, and streaming services.
- Cardholders must activate the quarterly bonuses to earn the elevated rewards rate on eligible purchases.
- By aligning spending with the bonus categories, Chase cardholders can maximize their rewards earnings.
- The Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom cards are the primary cards that offer this quarterly rewards program.
Chase Freedom Cash-Back Calendar for 2024
The Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex cards give 5% cash-back in special categories each quarter. For 2024, Chase has announced the bonus categories. Cardholders can use these to get more rewards.
Quarterly Bonus Categories
In the first quarter (January to March), get 5% cash-back at grocery stores, gyms, and spas. From April to June, earn 5% back at hotels, restaurants, and Amazon.
The third quarter (July to September) has 5% back at gas stations, EV charging, live shows, and movies. For the last quarter (October to December), get 5% back at PayPal, McDonald’s, pet stores, and some charities.
Earn 5% Cash Back on Rotating Categories
To get 5% cash-back, activate the bonus categories each quarter. You can do this online, through the app, by email, or by calling Chase. The deadline for the fourth quarter is December 14, 2024.
Cardholders can earn up to $75 extra cash back per quarter. Spend $1,500 in the bonus categories. Rewards can be used for statement credits, bank deposits, Amazon purchases, or travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
How 5% Cash-Back Credit Cards Work
The Chase Freedom Flex card offers a great deal with its 5% cash-back program. To get the most out of it, you need to activate the bonus categories each quarter. Just visit Chase’s website and enter your last name, card number’s last four digits, and zip code.
Activating Bonus Categories
The Chase Freedom Flex card changes its bonus categories every quarter. For example, one quarter might give 5% back on groceries. The next might offer 5% back on gas or Amazon.com. By turning on these categories, you can earn more cash back on your daily spending.
The Chase Freedom Flex Card
The Chase Freedom Flex is a new version of Chase’s cash-back card. It gives 5% back in certain quarters, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on everything else. New users get a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
Learning how 5% cash-back cards like the Chase Freedom Flex work helps you earn more. By activating the right categories, you can get great rewards from your daily spending. This makes these cards a smart choice for boosting your cash back.
Chase credit card quarterly rewards
The Chase quarterly rewards program is a great way for cardholders to earn more cash back. By turning on the rotating bonus categories each quarter, you can get up to 5% cash back. This is on $1,500 in combined purchases in the special spending areas.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the 5% bonus categories include PayPal, pet shops, vet services, and some charitable donations. Also, Chase Freedom Flex cardholders will get 7% cash back at McDonald’s.
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases across the quarterly bonus categories
- Q4 2024 bonus categories include PayPal, pet care, and select charities
- Chase Freedom Flex cardholders get 7% cash back at McDonald’s
To get the most from the chase quarterly rewards, you need to turn on the bonus categories each quarter. You can do this through the Chase Mobile app, online account hub, or by phone. After turning it on, you can start earning more cash back on eligible purchases in the bonus areas.
The chase credit card bonus categories often match popular spending areas. This makes it easy for cardmembers to earn rewards on their usual purchases. By using the Chase rewards program wisely, you can get the best value from your credit cards.
“The Chase quarterly rewards program is a great way for cardholders to boost their cash back earnings on everyday purchases. By activating the rotating bonus categories, you can earn up to 5% back on $1,500 in combined spending each quarter.”
Limitations on 5% Cash Back Earnings
The Chase quarterly rewards program offers a great 5% cash back rate. But, there are some limits to know. The 5% bonus is capped at $1,500 in combined spending per quarter. After that, the earn rate drops to 1% cash back.
The bonus categories change every three months. So, Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex cardholders must stay on top of activating the new categories. This way, they can keep earning the elevated rewards.
Quarterly Spending Caps
Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex cardholders earn 5% cash back (5x points) on up to $1,500 spent in the quarterly bonus categories. After hitting the $1,500 cap, the earn rate goes back to 1% cash back on more purchases. To make the most of their chase quarterly rewards limits, cardholders need to activate the new bonus categories each quarter.
The deadline for Q4 2024 is December 14, 2024. This ensures they keep earning the high rewards.
| Quarter | 5% Cash Back Categories | Quarterly Spending Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Q4 2024 | Pet shops, veterinarian services, PayPal transactions, select charitable donations | $1,500 |
| Q3 2024 | Restaurants, select streaming services, drugstores | $1,500 |
| Q2 2024 | Grocery stores, select streaming services, PayPal transactions | $1,500 |
| Q1 2024 | Gas stations, select internet, cable, and phone services | $1,500 |
To maximize chase rewards, Chase customers should use their Freedom or Freedom Flex card with other Chase cards. These cards earn Ultimate Rewards points. These points can be used for travel and other valuable options.
“Activating the quarterly bonus categories is key to earning the maximum 5% cash back spending caps with the Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cards.”
Rewards Redemption Options
Chase credit card users have many ways to use their quarterly rewards. The cash back from the Chase Freedom Flex card can be used for a statement credit. It can also be deposited into a Chase bank account or used for travel and gift cards through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Linking the Chase Freedom Flex card to a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred can increase value. This lets customers turn their cash back into chase ultimate rewards points. These points can be used for travel, gift cards, and more.
| Redemption Option | Value per Point |
|---|---|
| Cash Back | 1 cent per point |
| Gift Cards | 1 cent per point (with occasional discounts) |
| Amazon Purchases | 0.8 cents per point |
| Apple Purchases | 1 cent per point |
| Travel Redemptions | 1 to 1.5 cents per point |
| Transfer to Partner Programs | Estimated 2.1 cents per point |
Chase also offers special experiences and dining through the Chase Dining and Chase Experiences programs. These programs give cardholders more ways to redeem chase quarterly rewards. They help make the most of credit card points.
Other 5% Cash-Back Credit Card Options
There are more than just the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom cards for 5% cash back. The Discover it® Cash Back card and the Citi Custom Cash Card are also great choices. They offer high rewards for your spending.
Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it® Cash Back card gives 5% cash back in certain categories. You need to activate these categories each quarter. These include groceries, gas stations, and restaurants.
Discover tells you about these categories a quarter in advance. This lets you plan your spending better. Plus, it matches all the cash back you earn in your first year.
Citi Custom Cash Card
The Citi Custom Cash Card also offers 5% cash back. But it’s different because it automatically applies the bonus to your top spending category. This is up to $500 in purchases each billing cycle.
This means you don’t have to remember to activate categories. It’s a simpler option. The categories include restaurants, gas stations, and more.
Both the Discover it® Cash Back and Citi Custom Cash Card are great for earning rewards. They can be part of a good credit card mix, along with a card that gives cash back on everything.
Maximizing Chase Quarterly Rewards
To get the most from Chase quarterly rewards, link your Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited cards with other Chase cards. This way, you can turn your 5% cash back into Ultimate Rewards points. These points can be used for travel, gift cards, or other options through the Chase portal.
This strategy helps you earn more from your quarterly bonus categories. It also gives you the flexibility and value of the Ultimate Rewards program.
Pairing with Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards
The secret to maximizing chase quarterly rewards is to pair your Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited card with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve work well. By linking these accounts, you can turn your 5% chase rewards strategy cash back into Ultimate Rewards points.
These points are worth 25% more when used for travel through the Chase portal. This means your quarterly bonus categories are now worth 6.25% back.
- Earn up to 5% cash back on rotating quarterly bonus categories with the Chase Freedom Flex card
- Convert your 5% cash back into more valuable Ultimate Rewards points by linking your Chase Freedom Flex to a Chase Sapphire card
- Enjoy a 25% boost in the value of your chase ultimate rewards when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal
- Maximize your earnings by strategically using your Chase cards to capitalize on the 5% quarterly bonus categories
By pairing your Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Freedom Unlimited card with a Chase Sapphire card, you can maximize chase quarterly rewards. This powerful combination lets you earn valuable points. It also takes advantage of the rotating bonus categories, making your credit card strategy rewarding and flexible.
Conclusion
Chase’s quarterly rewards program is a great way for cardholders to earn more. They can get cash back on certain purchases that change every three months. By knowing the bonus categories and activating rewards each quarter, customers can earn more.
Customers can use their rewards for cash back, travel, or other things. This program helps them get the most from their spending. It offers many ways to redeem rewards and boost earnings with smart card use.
The Chase quarterly rewards program is flexible and meets different spending needs. By staying updated and using the program’s features, customers can enjoy a rewarding experience. They can make the most of their daily purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuldeep Nirgude is a computer science student with a strong interest in finance and marketing. With a focus on analyzing industry trends, he writes articles that simplify complex concepts and empower readers to make informed decisions. Kuldeep is dedicated to bridging the gap between technology and business, and is committed to staying updated on the latest innovations shaping the economy.