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Cash-back fans who are willing to strategize their regular spending can get a big annual return from the Chase Freedom Flex®*.
In fact, using 2024’s rewards categories, we estimate that the average American can earn upwards of $400 cash back with this no-annual-fee card each year, based on consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But for that, you’ll need to take full advantage of its quarterly bonus categories.
Through the second quarter of 2025, Chase is continuing its 15th birthday celebration of the Chase Freedom Flex’s rotating bonus categories, focusing on everyday spending.
From April 1 through June 30, 2025, get 5% bonus cash back (on up to $1,500 in combined spending) in these categories with your Chase Freedom Flex:
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Amazon
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Select streaming services
Starting June 1, you can also earn 5% cash back on internet, cable, and phone services (up to the same combined quarterly limit). Extra bonus categories like this one will open with activation for a limited time each quarter throughout this year.
In this article:
Chase Freedom Flex details
Chase Freedom Flex® Card
- Annual fee$0
- Welcome offerEarn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Purchase APR18.99% - 28.49% variable
- Introductory APR0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%
- Rewards rate
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% on dining, including takeout, and drug stores
- 1% on all other purchases
- Benefits
- Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
- Enjoy perks like extended warranty protection, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, and auto rental collision damage waiver
- Redeem your cash back rewards as a statement credit, direct deposit, gift card, on Amazon purchases, or to book travel through Chase
- Use the introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, after which the standard APR will apply
Chase Freedom Flex 5% cash-back calendar
Each quarter, you can earn 5% back in select bonus categories with your Chase Freedom Flex.
Chase only announces new categories shortly before a new quarter starts, so planning your spending throughout the year can be difficult. However, we’ve included last year’s full calendar of categories to give you an idea of what types of categories may come later in the year since they often repeat.
The current categories are in bold:
Remember: For purchases to count toward the 5% bonus category, they must post to your account by the last day of the quarter. That means purchases you make toward a Q1 category on March 31 (the last day of the quarter) may not apply since they can take up to a few days to post as a charge on your statement.
Chase Freedom category activation deadlines
To earn 5% cash-back rewards, you must activate the categories each quarter. These are the dates to keep in mind throughout the year so you never miss an activation:
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Q1 January - March: Activate by March 14
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Q2 April - June: Activate by June 14
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Q3 July - September: Activate by Sept. 14
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Q4 October - December: Activate by Dec. 14
While you don’t have to activate until close to the end of each quarter, it’s smart to check your account at the start. You can review the eligible categories for the months ahead and activate them.
If you do wait until the activation deadline, don’t worry. Your 5% rewards will still apply retroactively to qualifying purchases you’ve already made throughout the quarter.
How to activate Chase Freedom bonus categories
Activate the current bonus categories by logging into your Chase account online or through the mobile app. You can also activate in person at a Chase bank branch by calling the number on the back of your card or even while visiting a Chase ATM.
If you’re worried about forgetting quarterly deadlines, consider signing up for email reminders from Chase when it’s time to activate.
How to maximize the current Chase Freedom Flex categories
This quarter, the Chase Freedom Flex 5% categories include purchases at Amazon and with select streaming services. Here are some details about each one to help make the most of your spending.
Amazon
Amazon often appears as a second-quarter rewards category from the Chase Freedom Flex, and this year is no exception. Eligible spending includes purchases on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market — including Amazon gift cards, Amazon Fresh orders, and Amazon Prime subscriptions, in addition to standard purchases online or in-store.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member who regularly buys household items through the service, or Whole Foods Market is already a convenient grocery option, you could save big bucks on essentials with your Freedom Flex card this quarter.
There are some exclusions to watch for, including purchases with other merchants using Amazon Pay, international Amazon or Whole Foods Market purchases, Whole Foods Market spending through third parties like Instacart or Shipt, and more.
If you shop with Amazon often, you may also consider whether a Prime Visa card is right for you. Read our full review here.
Select streaming services
Whether your entertainment spending is focused on music, movies, sports, or all of the above, you can save on subscriptions to your favorite services this quarter. Here’s the full list of eligible streamers:
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Apple Music
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Disney+
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ESPN+
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Fubo TV
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HBO Max
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Hulu
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Netflix
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Pandora
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Paramount+
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Peacock
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Showtime
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Sirius XM
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Sling
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Spotify
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Vudu
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YouTube TV
Don’t forget to pay your monthly subscription bills (at least between April and June) with your Chase Freedom Flex card to get the bonus cash back. And keep in mind that only your subscription fees will apply for the bonus category. Other charges you might incur with these services, like downloads, gift cards, or equipment are not eligible.
Related: How to use a cash-back card to save money on everyday expenses
Internet, cable, and phone services (June only)
The final Q2 category is another focused on everyday spending that’s likely already in your budget. Throughout the month of June only, you can earn 5% cash back on your internet, cable, and phone services.
This category is specifically for service, not equipment like routers or smartphones. Eligible services include internet, cable, satellite television and radio, cellular services, wireless data, and landline services. If you’re not already earning rewards on your monthly phone and Wi-Fi bills with another card, this could be a good opportunity to switch and get cash back with your Chase Freedom Flex.
Rewards on internet, cable, and phone services will begin on June 1 and run through the end of the quarter on June 30. Just keep in mind, even though the 5% savings only apply starting in June, you’ll still only earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending across all three eligible categories this quarter.
Pair the Freedom Flex with another Chase card to supercharge your rewards
While Chase Freedom Flex is a cash-back credit card, you can also use your rewards for travel redemptions through Chase’s rewards program. Even better, you can combine points with other top Chase credit cards under your same account to further supercharge your redemptions with the card issuer.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Annual fee$95
- Welcome offerEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- Card type(s)Travel
- Ongoing Purchases APR19.99% - 28.24% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent/Good
- Rewards rate
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Benefits
- Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders
- Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
- On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year
Though it does have some overlapping rewards categories, the Chase Sapphire Preferred makes a great pair with the Freedom Flex because of its 25% redemption boost.
When you redeem your Chase Freedom Flex rewards for travel through Chase, you’ll get 1 cent per point. But Chase Sapphire Preferred rewards are worth 1.25 cents per point when you redeem them through Chase Travel. With both cards in your wallet, you can maximize spending in eligible bonus categories, then pool your points and redeem them using your Sapphire Preferred for maximum redemption value.
There’s another travel perk to combining these cards, too. Sapphire Preferred cardholders have the option to transfer points to Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners. If you want to transfer your Chase rewards to your United MileagePlus or Marriott Bonvoy account, for example, these cards can make a powerful pair.
Read more:
Chase Sapphire Preferred review
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Annual fee$550
- Welcome offerEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- Card type(s)Travel
- Ongoing Purchases APR20.24% - 28.74% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent
- Rewards rate
- 10x points on hotels and rental cars purchased through Chase Travel℠*
- 5x points on flights purchased through Chase Travel*
- 3x points on dining and other travel purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
- *After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
- Benefits
- Points are worth 50% more when you redeem through Chase Travel
- Earn up to $300 in annual statement credits for travel purchases
- Receive up to a $120 statement credit every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
There are many benefits to combining a premium rewards credit card like Chase Sapphire Reserve with the Freedom Flex. But with a high annual fee, this option is likely best for frequent travelers looking to boost their travel rewards with cash-back earnings.
Sapphire Reserve points get a 50% boost when you redeem through Chase Travel — when you pool your Freedom Flex rewards under your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can get up to 1.5 cents per point for travel. You can also transfer Sapphire Reserve points to Chase’s travel partners.
With the extra travel benefits, combining these two cards can be a great way to ensure you get maximum travel value from your spending while still keeping the flexibility of rotating bonus categories.
Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve review
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Annual fee$0
- Welcome offerEarn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in your first 3 months
- Card type(s)Cash-Back
- Introductory Purchases APR0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Ongoing Purchases APR18.99% - 28.49% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent/Good
- Rewards rate
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (includes takeout and eligible delivery service)
- 1.5% on all other purchases
- Benefits
- You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts
- Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more
- Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a no-annual-fee cash-back card that’s similar to the Freedom Flex. It earns the same 5% cash back on Chase Travel, plus 3% back on dining and at drugstores. But instead of 5% back in rotating quarterly categories, the Freedom Unlimited earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all other spending.
Both Freedom cards earn rewards that can be redeemed as points through Chase Travel, so you can pool your points for a bigger redemption. Unlike the Sapphire cards, though, you won’t get any boost on your rewards; they’re worth a standard 1 cent per point. You also can’t access Chase’s transfer partners with the Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited.
With the overlap in rewards categories and lack of added boost for redemptions, there are probably fewer benefits to combining the two Freedom cards compared to a Freedom and Sapphire card pair. But if you like earning cash back and want to maximize quarterly categories while still earning a minimum 1.5% back, this could make a solid combination.
Read more:
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Sapphire Preferred
This article was edited by Alicia Hahn
*All information about Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by Yahoo Finance. Chase Freedom Flex is no longer available through Yahoo Finance.
Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
