Chase 5% Calendar 2026: See the Latest Categories
Q1 Chase Freedom categories
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’ Q1 bonus categories, you’ll need to activate the categories by March 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.
Chase Freedom calendar for 2026
| Quarter | Chase Freedom categories 2026 | Activation deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March |
| March 14 |
| Q2: April through June | TBA | June 14 |
| Q3: July through September | TBA | September 14 |
| Q4: October through December | TBA | December 14 |
- What’s included in the Norwegian Cruise Line category?
This category includes purchases made directly with Norwegian Cruise Line. Purchases made through third-party vendors or travel agencies — such as for sightseeing activities, excursions and tourist attractions — are not included. - What’s included in the dining category?
The merchants’ primary business must be sit-down or eat-in dining, including fast food restaurants and fine dining establishments. Merchants that sell food and drinks located within facilities such as sports stadiums, hotels and casinos, theme parks, grocery and department stores are not included unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified in a restaurant category. Bakeries, caterers, meal kit delivery services and gift card merchants are not included. Delivery and takeout services will be included if they classify as a restaurant merchant. - What’s included in the American Heart Association category?
Donations made directly through the American Heart Association’s official channels. Local chapters may not be eligible due to transaction processing procedures.
Past Chase cash back calendars
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 and gas stations were included in each of the past three years.
| Quarter | 2025 categories | 2024 categories | 2023 categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March | Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target); fitness clubs and gym memberships; hair, nail and spa services; Norwegian Cruise Line | 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 |
| Q2: April through June | Select streaming services; internet, cable and phone services (only from 6/1/25–6/30/25) | Hotels, restaurants, Amazon.com | Lowe’s and Amazon.com |
| Q3: July through September | Select live entertainment, gas stations and EV charging | Gas stations, EV charging, select live entertainment, movie theaters | Gas stations, EV charging and select live entertainment |
| Q4: October through December | Old Navy®, Chase TravelSM and department stores | McDonald's, PayPal, pet shops and vet services, select charities | PayPal, wholesale clubs and select charities |
How to activate Chase 5% bonus categories
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:
- Calling the number on the back of your card and activating by phone
- Visiting any Chase bank and activating with a personal banker
- Activating via an ATM while making a withdrawal
Which Chase cards offer rotating bonus categories?
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:
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- Earn 3% on dining and drugstores.
- Earn 1% on all other purchases.
How to make the most of Chase's 5% bonus categories
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.
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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.
→ See all of the top cash back credit cards.
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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%.
Don’t forget to use your rewards. About 71% of cardholders have unused cash back, points or miles, according to LendingTree data, and nearly half are sitting on $100 or more. People often wait too long, forget about their balances or even let rewards expire.
How to redeem Chase 5% bonus categories
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:
- Cash back
- Statement credits
- Gift cards
- Transfer to travel partners
- Travel through the Chase TravelSM portal
- Chase Experiences and Chase diningSM
- Pay with points on Amazon.com or PayPal
- Use points to pay for Apple purchases
Tip: If you have another credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Freedom Unlimited® — you can maximize rewards by combining points with Chase Freedom Flex®.
Learn more about the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program.
Chase Freedom cash back calendar vs. Discover cash back calendar
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).
| Quarter | 2026 Chase categories | 2026 Discover categories |
|---|---|---|
| Q1: January through March | Norwegian Cruise Line, dining and American Heart Association | Grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and select streaming services |
| Q2: April through June | TBA | TBA |
| Q3: July through September | TBA | TBA |
| 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.
Alternate 5% cash back card
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:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Select travel
- Select transit
- Select streaming services
- Drugstores
- Home improvement stores
- Fitness clubs
- Live entertainment
Compare 5% cash back cards
| 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) |
Frequently asked questions
Chase typically announces new Freedom bonus categories shortly before each new quarter begins.
You’ll earn 5% cash back on eligible bonus category purchases as long as you activate by the quarter’s deadline. You can opt in at any point during the quarter to earn the full amount for the quarter, but you won’t earn the 5% rate if you miss the deadline. Also, Chase lets you set alerts to activate new categories as soon as they’re available.
Chase doesn’t reveal categories in advance, but looking at past calendars might help you predict upcoming categories. Chase tends to repeat certain categories like gas stations, grocery stores, dining or PayPal each year. However, there’s no guarantee that a particular category will be on this year’s calendar.
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.
The information related to the Chase Freedom Flex®, Chase Freedom®, Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, 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.
