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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.
From July 1 through September 30, 2026, 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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Gas stations and EV charging
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Public transit
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Select live entertainment
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United Way
In this article:
Chase Freedom Flex details
- Annual fee$0
- Welcome offerEarn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Introductory Purchases APR0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Ongoing Purchases APR18.24% - 27.74% Variable
- Introductory Balance Transfer APR0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Ongoing Balance Transfer APR18.24% - 27.74% Variable
- 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% cash back on dining (including takeout) and drug stores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Benefits
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- Enjoy perks like extended warranty protection, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, and auto rental collision damage waiver
- Intro APR available
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 info from past years 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 Q3 category on Sept. 30 (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 gas stations and EV charging, public transit, select live entertainment, and donations to United Way. Here are some details about each category to help make the most of your spending.
Gas stations and EV charging
Gas is a frequent Q3 Chase Freedom category, and it's returning just in time for the summer travel season . You can earn bonus rewards when you pay at the pump or inside a gas station with an attendant. For EV charging, the category can include charging stations you pay for at the pump, via mobile app, by subscription, or with an attendant. However, residential charging or charging equipment purchases are not included.
Public transit
If you live in a city where you commute by train or bus more often than you drive, you can benefit from this month's bonus rewards on public transit. This can also offer great savings if you're traveling to a large city over the summer. Eligible transit may include buses, trains, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and even parking lots or garages. You won't get bonus rewards for this category on things like taxis, rideshares, or bike rentals.
Select live entertainment
Bonus rewards on live entertainment can help you make the most of summer plans while traveling or at home. This category includes everything from tickets to concerts, sporting events, and theatrical productions to passes for zoos, aquariums, amusement parks, museums, and more. You won't earn rewards if you book your tickets through a concierge or as part of a travel package, and the category doesn't apply to movie theaters, bowling alleys, or casinos.
United Way
You can earn 5% cash back on a charitable donation to United Way, a community-driven nonprofit, this quarter. Just be sure to make your donation directly through United Way's official channels, which you can access through the organization's website.
Related: How to use a cash-back card to save money on everyday expenses
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.
- Annual fee$95
- Welcome offerEarn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Card type(s)Travel
- Ongoing Purchases APR19.24% - 27.49% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent/Good
- Rewards rate
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, vacation homes, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Benefits
- Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS application
Though it does have some overlapping rewards categories, the Chase Sapphire Preferred makes a great pair with the Freedom Flex because of its redemption boost up to 1.5x.
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 up to 1.5x per point when you redeem them through Chase Travel with Points Boost. 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
- Annual fee$795
- Welcome offerEarn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Card type(s)Travel
- Ongoing Purchases APR19.49% - 27.99% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent
- Rewards rate
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠*
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct*
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
- *After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
- Benefits
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables
- Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually
- 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 boost up to 2x when you redeem using Points Boost through Chase Travel — when you pool your Freedom Flex rewards under your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can get up to 2x 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
- Annual fee$0
- Welcome offerEarn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Card type(s)Cash-Back
- Introductory Purchases APR0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Ongoing Purchases APR18.24% - 27.74% 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
- No minimum to redeem for cash back; use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the U.S.
- 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 .
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