The Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® are known for their rotating bonus categories, which let cardholders earn 5% (on up to $1,500) on everyday purchases throughout the year. To earn the elevated rate on the cards’ Q2 bonus categories, you’ll need to activate the categories by June 14. If you don’t, you’ll only earn the standard 1% on those purchases. It’s worth the effort, though, as you’ll earn $75 cash back for the quarter if you max out the spend cap.
| Quarter | Chase Freedom categories 2025 | Activation deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March |
| March 14 |
| Q2: April through June |
| June 14 |
| Q3: July through September | TBA | September 14 |
| Q4: October through December | TBA | December 14 |
Chase gives you several ways to activate its categories — the easiest ways are online or through the Chase mobile app. You can also set up email reminders in your Chase account, allowing you to activate with just one click.
Other activation methods include:
The only Chase credit cards offering the cash back bonus are the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® (no longer accepting new applicants).
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sets itself apart from other rotating bonus category cards by offering tiered rewards on other purchases instead of the standard 1% flat rate:
Chase announces its new bonus categories every quarter, so it’s tough to predict which categories we’ll see each time. However, looking at a past Chase freedom rewards calendar can provide hints, as Chase tends to repeat categories throughout the years. For example, grocery stores, gas stations and PayPal were included in each of the past three years.
| Quarter | 2024 categories | 2023 categories | 2022 categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March | Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), fitness clubs and gym memberships, self-care and spa services | Grocery stores (excluding Walmart), Target, fitness clubs and gym memberships | Grocery stores and eBay |
| Q2: April through June | Hotels, restaurants, Amazon.com | Lowe’s and Amazon.com | Amazon.com and select streaming services |
| Q3: July through September | Gas stations, EV charging, select live entertainment, movie theaters | Gas stations, EV charging and select live entertainment | Gas stations, car rental agencies, movie theaters and select live entertainment |
| Q4: October through December | McDonald's, PayPal, pet shops and vet services, select charities | PayPal, wholesale clubs and select charities | Walmart and PayPal |
With these helpful tips, you can maximize your rewards and make the most of Chase’s 5% bonus:
Activate the bonus categories ASAP
While Chase gives you until the 14th of the last month of the quarter to activate, it’s best to opt in as soon as the new bonus categories are announced. That way, you won’t have to worry about remembering the Chase rewards calendar deadline and can get a head start on planning out your purchases.
Pair your Chase card with another cash back card
Want to earn more than 1% on regular purchases? You can double your earnings by pairing your eligible Chase card with a 2% cash back card. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Plus, you’ll earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Max out the $1,500 spending cap
To make the most of the 5% bonus rate, you should try to max out the $1,500 spending cap each quarter. If you do, you’ll net $300 in bonus cash back for the year. However, you should still prioritize paying off your balance each month and keeping your credit utilization ratio at or below 30%.
While it’s marketed as a cash back card, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. In addition to being more valuable than other credit card points, Chase points are also very flexible. They can be redeemed for any of the following:
Tip: If you have another credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates & fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates & fees) or Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates & fees), you can maximize rewards by combining points with Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Learn more about the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® aren’t the only cards offering 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories — some of the best Discover credit cards boast a similar rewards program. The Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back also let you earn bonus cash back (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%) on different categories each quarter (activation required).
The Discover cash back calendar for the third quarter of 2025 includes gas stations and EV charging, public transit and utilities.
| Quarter | 2025 Chase categories | 2025 Discover categories |
|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March | Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target); fitness clubs and gym memberships; hair, nail and spa services; Norwegian Cruise Line® | Restaurants, home improvement stores and select streaming services |
| Q2: April through June | Amazon and select streaming services | Grocery stores and wholesale clubs |
| Q3: July through September | TBA | Gas stations and EV charging, public transit and utilities |
| Q4: October through December | TBA | TBA |
The key difference is that with Chase, you’ll earn the higher rewards rate on bonus categories as long as you activate them before the quarterly deadline. With Discover, you won’t earn the elevated rewards on bonus category purchases made before activation. For example, if you activate the first-quarter bonus categories on March 14, any eligible purchases made before that date will only earn the standard 1% cash back.
If you’re looking for a way to earn 5% cash back without needing to activate spending categories, the Citi Custom Cash® Card could be a great alternative. Unlike cards with rotating categories, you won’t have to opt in each quarter or keep track of changing categories. Instead, you’ll automatically earn the card’s bonus rate on your first $500 in purchases in your top spending category each billing cycle (aftewards you’ll earn the standard rewards rate of 1%). While Discover’s and Chase’s categories change each quarter and may not always align with your spending, the Citi Custom Cash® Card always awards the bonus to your top spending category in a billing cycle. This makes it easier to maximize your rewards.
Eligible categories include:
| Types of categories | Activation required? | Spending cap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | Your top spending category for the month. | No | Up to $500 per billing cycle (1% thereafter) |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Changes every quarter by the Discover calendar. | Yes | Up to $1,500 per quarter (1% thereafter) |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Changes every quarter by the Chase Freedom calendar. | Yes | Up to $1,500 per quarter (1% thereafter) |
Yes, Chase offers a diverse selection of credit cards that are good for many different types of consumers. The best Chase cards come with valuable rewards programs and excellent sign-up bonuses.
No, your Chase cash back rewards won’t expire as long as your account is open.
Choosing the best Chase card depends on your financial goals and spending habits. For example, if you’re looking to build credit, the Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card is a great option. However, if you already have excellent credit and want a great travel credit card, we recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
The Chase 5/24 rule is an unwritten rule that prevents you from being able to get approved for a new Chase credit card if you’ve opened five or more accounts with any bank in the last 24 months. This is something to be aware of before applying for a new Chase card.
Chase typically announces new Freedom bonus categories shortly before each new quarter begins.
The information related to the Chase Freedom Flex℠, Chase Freedom®, Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card and Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
