Every three months, Chase Freedom (no longer available to new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex® offer a set of new bonus categories that earn at least 5% cash back on purchases up to $1,500 (activation required). If you max out this benefit, you can earn a total of $75 in cash back. And if you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer your rewards into full Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are even more valuable because you can transfer them to travel partners.
Information for the Chase Freedom Credit Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
I’ve had the Freedom Flex for about three years, and I’ve earned more points on it than any other card because of its rotating bonus categories. In previous quarters, I’ve earned points at Amazon, restaurants, grocery stores, home improvement stores, PayPal, and more. And since I have Chase Sapphire Preferred, I can transfer my points to travel partners and use them for free flights and hotel stays.
This quarter’s bonus categories are gas stations, electric vehicle charging, movie theaters and select live entertainment. These are some of my favorite categories because I live in the Denver area, where there are plenty of lively entertainment venues and natural wonders to explore. Summer is the perfect time to earn extra points on these purchases as many of us will be taking road trips with the family or escaping the heat at theaters and concerts.
Here’s how I plan to make the most of my Freedom Flex bonus categories over the next three months.
Related: Why I got Chase Freedom Flex and how I’m getting the most cash this quarter
Gas stations and EV charging
My partner and I both work from home, so we don’t use as much gas as we used to (which is great for the environment and our wallets). But ours Gas purchases usually increase in the summer when we often go hiking or camping in the Rocky Mountains on weekends. I’ll pull out my Freedom Flex every time we fill up to maximize my rewards.
I don’t own an electric vehicle, so I won’t be able to take advantage of the bonus points on EV charging — but I applaud Chase for including both gas and electric options.
Related: Great American Road Trips for Summer 2024
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A movie theater
Spending an afternoon in an air-conditioned theater is the best way to beat the summer heat. I have my eye on “Inside Out 2” and “A Quiet Place: Day One”, both of which are coming out in the next three months. I’ll go to my local dine-in theater, where I can get dinner before the show — and earn 5% on both the meal and the ticket.
Keep in mind that anything you buy at the movie theater (or through its website) should be eligible for bonus rewards. This means not only tickets but concessions, memberships and gift cards. So, if you’ve been thinking of buying a theater membership, now might be the best time to do it. If you think theater A gift card would be a Christmas gift for a friend, you can even buy it now.
Live entertainment
Find out what’s included
This range is quite broad, but there are some exceptions. To understand what Chase considers “live entertainment,” check out the merchant listing.
Here’s what he had to say for this quarter:
| Included | not included |
|---|---|
| Major professional sporting events | A movie theater |
| Zoos and aquariums | Bowling alleys |
| concert | Horse racing track |
| Theater productions | Casino |
| Museums | Dance halls and clubs |
| Tourist attractions and exhibitions | Tickets purchased from hotel or concierge |
| amusement park | Excursions booked as part of a tour package |
| the circus | |
| Carnival | |
| bands | |
| Entertainers | |
| Ticket agencies sell on behalf of entertainment venues |
The Denver metro area, where I live, has teams from all the major sports and various concert venues and theater companies. I plan to attend some baseball and soccer games, concerts, and theater productions this summer.
I will also be renewing my membership at my local zoo and science museum this quarter so I can earn 5 points per dollar spent on my membership fee. Most places will let you renew early — so even if your membership isn’t due until October, you can pay the renewal fee in August to get the extra points and the membership will renew as usual in October.
Related: Why Sapphire Presents Concert Series Should Be On Your Bucket List This Summer
Book group events
Since we don’t have children, my friends and I can attend plays, concerts and sporting events relatively cheaply. It’s usually hard for me to reach the $1,500 max in this bonus category, but I’ve found that booking group activities for my friends and relatives is a great way to boost my rewards.
This summer, I’ve been planning group outings with several friends to Rapids soccer games and local amusement parks. I would volunteer to buy everyone’s tickets (using my flex card of course) and ask them to reimburse me. It’s the easiest way to get seats together, and it allows me to earn more points without paying more than I would normally.
Plan ahead
My favorite thing about the Live Entertainment bonus category is that you can buy tickets now for events weeks or months into the future. When it comes to plays, concerts, and sporting events, I check the calendar for later this year and next year as well. If there’s something I know I want to see, I’ll book now to get extra points.
Experiences also make great gifts — and I like to shop early for gifts so I have plenty of time to find the perfect gift without stress. My partner and parents were all born in the fall, so I’ll be using this quarter to make birthday gifts and some Christmas gifts. If I decide to gift experiences like hockey tickets or museum memberships, I’ll make sure to buy them with my Flex card by the end of September.
RELATED: 23 wanderlust-y gifts for travelers, used by expert travelers
pay attention
Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 5% back on the first $1,500 in total purchases through September 30 at gas stations, on EV charging, at movie theaters and on select live entertainment purchases. After the first $1,500, you’ll only earn. 1% back on these purchases.
As a result, I will be carefully tracking my progress on the Chase site. If I hit the $1,500 max, I’ll switch to a more advantageous card for these purchases, like my Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Bottom line
Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex’s rotating bonus categories make these cards powerful tools for earning cash back or Ultimate Rewards points. These quarter categories are perfect for family outings and road trips, and you can earn even more points by booking group activities, planning ahead, and thinking about gifts.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex