Every quarter of the year, Chase Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 5x points per dollar (or 5% cashback) on their purchases within bonus Freedom Flex quarterly categories. If you currently have a Freedom Flex card, or are planning to apply for one, then you need to ensure you have a clear idea of what categories have been announced for this quarter. This will help you to plan your spending so that you get the best value.
In our Chase Freedom Flex review and guide below, we will give you all the essential information you need about how the Freedom Flex categories work and how to make sure you activate the best options for you.
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How to Select Your Bonus Chase Freedom Flex Categories
Every three months, Chase announces new Freedom Flex quarterly categories that allow cardholders to earn 5x points per dollar or 5% cashback. These categories are usually announced approximately two weeks before the next quarter begins, giving you time to activate them.
The categories will vary from quarter to quarter, but some frequently recurring categories include groceries, restaurants, and gas stations. These categories provide an excellent opportunity to maximize your rewards for the next three months.
Chase Freedom Flex Categories for Quarter 1 of 2025
From January 1 through March 31, 2025, Chase Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in the following categories:
- Grocery Stores (Excludes Walmart and Target purchases)
- Fitness Clubs and Gym Memberships (Includes memberships and related expenses)
- Hair, Nails, and Spa Services (Covers a range of personal care services)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (Applies to purchases made directly with Norwegian Cruise Line)
This 5x points or 5% cashback reward is limited to $1,500 in combined purchases across the activated categories from January 1st to March 31st, 2025. Your deadline for activating these categories is March 14th, 2025.
While earning these rewards on Chase Freedom Flex categories, you will also be able to enjoy the following ongoing card rewards:
- 5% cashback on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal.
- 3% cashback on dining, including restaurants, delivery services, and takeout.
- 3% cashback on drugstore purchases.
- 1% cashback on all other purchases.
How to Activate Your Freedom Flex 5% Categories
Your spending within Freedom Flex quarterly categories will not automatically be rewarded with 5% cashback or 5 points per dollar from Chase unless you activate them. To do this, log into your account on the Chase website and navigate to the Chase Bonus activation page.
To activate the spending categories, you will need to input your last name, zip code, and the last four digits of your card. Alternatively, you can use the Chase Mobile app to select and activate your categories. Once you have successfully activated your 5% Freedom Flex categories, you should receive an email confirmation.
If you have more than one Chase Freedom card, make sure to activate the categories for each card separately.
How Much Cashback Can You Earn?
You will be rewarded with either 5x points per dollar or 5% cashback for your activated Freedom Flex quarterly categories. These rewards are applied up to the first $1,500 you spend on combined bonus category purchases each quarter. After this, the normal spending rewards will apply.
If your spending hits the $1,500 limit, then that’s $75 cash back on purchases you would be making anyway, or 7,500 reward points every quarter—totaling 30,000 reward points each year!
Maximizing Your Freedom Flex Category Rewards with Other Chase Cards
If you want to maximize the value of your Freedom Flex quarterly categories, pairing this card with other Chase credit cards can be very beneficial. For example, if you combine your Chase Freedom Flex card with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred®, you can increase the redemption value of your points when booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
These cards also allow you to transfer your reward points to Chase travel partners, potentially increasing the value of each point.
Planning Your Spending to Maximize Your Freedom Flex Rewards
To get the best value and return on your spending, it is helpful to strategically plan your purchases according to which categories you have activated. For example, if grocery spending is rewarded, you should plan larger grocery shopping trips within this quarter. If fitness memberships qualify, consider signing up during this time.
By planning your spending ahead of time, you can ensure you are maximizing your rewards and getting the best value out of each dollar you spend.
As seen from our Chase Freedom Flex review, this quarter’s selections offer great ways to maximize your spending value. Whether you want to increase your cashback or build up travel rewards points, the Chase Freedom Flex card can be a valuable tool in reaching your financial goals.
And when you use this card in conjunction with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Sapphire Preferred®, you can further increase the redemption value of the points you earn.
Staying informed about the Freedom Flex quarterly categories is essential if you want to ensure you're getting the best possible cashback and rewards points for your purchases.
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