Chase is kicking off 2025 with a bang for Chase Freedom (now not out there to new candidates) and Chase Freedom Flex® cardholders. For the primary quarter, we’re seeing the return of three of our favourite classes and a brand-new one.
In the course of the first quarter of subsequent 12 months, cardholders can earn bonus rewards on spending at choose grocery shops, on health membership and gymnasium memberships, on self-care and spa providers, and — for the primary time — on Norweigan Cruise Line purchases.
Many people are setting targets round well being and wellness for the brand new 12 months, and it is a nice likelihood to earn some further rewards alongside the way in which. Whether or not you are targeted on cooking extra at residence, trying out a brand new gymnasium, lowering stress by including in some spa therapies or cruising the excessive seas, there is a bonus class for you.
Now you can activate to earn 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) on as much as $1,500 of spending in these classes — and 1% (or 1 level per greenback) after that — between Jan. 1 and March 31.
The data for the Freedom bank card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex Q1 2025 classes
From Jan. 1 by way of March 31, Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex cardmembers can earn 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) on spending within the following classes:
- Choose grocery shops (together with Instacart)
- Health membership and gymnasium memberships
- Self-care and spa providers
- Norwegian Cruise Line purchases (should guide straight with the cruise line)
As famous above, you should activate your card to unlock the bonus-earning potential in these classes.
It is easy to finish this course of by way of your Chase account; simply present your final identify, the final 4 digits of your card and your ZIP code. Registration is now open.
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Analyzing the Q1 bonus classes
The primary quarter of the 12 months is the proper time to take stock of your habits and set new targets for the approaching 12 months. In case your 2025 targets contain meal planning, the grocery class is value getting enthusiastic about. Even higher: Most grocery supply providers (together with Instacart) are coated, so it can save you time whereas incomes extra.
No matter your health habits, a health membership or gymnasium membership generally is a important expense that does not match into many bank card bonus classes. For this reason it is particularly good to see it as a first-quarter bonus class.
Self-care and spa providers are returning as a bonus class for the second time. Whether or not you are treating your self by going for a brand new take a look at the salon or reserving some much-needed leisure time on the spa, you may earn bonus rewards in your me-time.
You could be searching for a post-holidays reprieve and someplace to go over a protracted weekend (like those arising for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day) or spring break. In that case, reserving a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line will internet you some bonus money again or factors.
Listed here are the bonus particulars:
- Grocery shops: House cooks and meal preppers will rejoice to see the return of the grocery retailer class. As famous above, grocery-specific supply providers (akin to Instacart) are included on this class. Nonetheless, shops that promote a variety of merchandise — akin to wholesale golf equipment like Costco and big-box retailers like Goal — will not be included.
- Health membership and gymnasium memberships: For those who’re becoming a member of a snazzy new health studio, pay together with your Freedom or Freedom Flex to earn bonus rewards and kick up the thrill to a different degree. For those who’re persevering with an present membership, change your card on file to your Freedom or Freedom Flex for the primary quarter and use the additional rewards to deal with your self. Notice, nevertheless, that solely bodily studio memberships are included; you will not earn bonus rewards on health streaming subscriptions.
- Self-care and spa providers: The return of this class is thrilling, as the brand new 12 months is a superb time to put money into self-care and stress aid. Eligible magnificence and restoration therapies (akin to massages, spa therapies, manicures, tanning, and barber and salon providers) at a spa or collaborating salon will earn bonus rewards this quarter. Nonetheless, providers supplied inside a distinct kind of enterprise, akin to a spa inside a lodge, will not be included.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Avid cruisers — or those that have by no means tried one earlier than — can benefit from incomes money again (or factors) on cruises booked straight with NCL. Purchases by way of third-party distributors and journey companies — akin to sightseeing actions, excursions and vacationer sights — will not be included.
Keep in mind that Chase limits the 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) to the primary $1,500 spent in mixed bonus classes every quarter you activate the bonus. After you attain the utmost, you may earn 1% again on these purchases.
FAQs about Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex bonus classes
How do rotating classes work?
Every quarter, Chase publicizes a gaggle of bonus classes that can earn 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) all through the upcoming three-month interval. Usually, these classes are introduced midway by way of the month earlier than the brand new quarter begins to present cardmembers time to activate new classes beforehand. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to activate your classes till halfway by way of the final month of the quarter.
The classes are inclined to repeat periodically. As an example, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations are all frequent classes you may discover steadily pop up on the cash-back calendar. So, relying on the classes and whether or not you’ll be able to maximize them, these two playing cards can provide fairly a pleasant chunk of money again or bonus factors over the 12 months.
Associated: Chase Freedom Flex card review: Incredible earning with no annual fee
How a lot money again can I earn every quarter?
Chase limits the 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) to the primary $1,500 spent in mixed bonus classes every quarter you activate the bonus.
Whereas that won’t sound like lots, that money again provides up over time. Maximizing the cash-back classes every quarter, you may earn $75 in money again quarterly and as much as $300 per 12 months. For a no-annual-fee credit card, that is numerous worth.
Alternatively, for the reason that money again you earn comes within the type of Chase Ultimate Rewards factors, you are taking a look at a possible of as much as 30,000 bonus Final Rewards factors earned annually. Suppose you even have a premium product just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. In that case, you’ll be able to combine the Ultimate Rewards points you earn together with your Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex card with these you earn out of your extra premium Final Rewards-earning card, and so they become fully transferable.
In that case, TPG’s December 2024 valuations peg Chase factors at 2.05 cents apiece — making the 30,000 factors you’ll be able to earn in a 12 months value $615.
How do I activate my 5% classes every quarter?
You may head to Chase’s site to activate your 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) for this quarter. You may as well register by way of your Chase cell app, making one much less bank card web site you may want to go to usually this 12 months.
Here is how you can register:
1. Head to the Chase bonus activation page, or log into your Chase account.
2. Enter your final identify, the final 4 digits of your card quantity, and your billing ZIP code. If you do not have your card readily available, log in to your Chase account to retrieve these digits.
3. Click on “Activate your 5%” to register.
4. If in case you have a number of Chase Freedom playing cards, ensure that to register each.
5. Save a screenshot of your activation in case of any points later — although you must also obtain a “You are Activated!” affirmation e mail.
Can I’ve each the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Flex to double my incomes potential?
Sure, you’ll be able to have each playing cards. So, if you have already got the Chase Freedom and need to add the Chase Freedom Flex to your pockets, you are free to take action.
Keep in mind that the unique Freedom card is now not open to new candidates. For those who’d reasonably solely have one, although, the Freedom Flex is available as a product change.
After all, you may additionally need to make sure you’re eligible for a new Chase card.
How do I maximize my Freedom and Freedom Flex playing cards?
A very powerful factor is to activate your card to earn 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) every quarter within the particular classes after which use your card for purchases in these classes.
You may arrange a recurring reminder in your calendar, or join the TPG newsletter. (We ship out a reminder when it is time to activate each quarter, plus ideas and methods for how you can maximize your card strategy and rating some excellent award redemptions.)
Higher but, when paired with a Chase credit card that earns totally transferable Final Rewards factors just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the Chase Freedom Flex’s 5% money again successfully turns into 5 Final Rewards factors per greenback. You may be taught all about this in our guide detailing the “Chase Trifecta.”
In that case, you’ll be able to switch the factors earned with the Freedom Flex to Final Rewards factors, in addition to to journey companions like Southwest Airlines, Hyatt and United Airlines.
What are frequent bonus classes for the Freedom and the Freedom Flex?
After all, you may additionally need to just be sure you’ll probably have the ability to maximize different bonus classes all year long. For reference, listed here are the earlier Chase Freedom quarterly classes again to 2012 so you’ll be able to determine if frequent classes make sense on your spending patterns:
| 12 months/Quarter | Bonus Classes |
|---|---|
| 2025 — Q1 | Choose grocery shops, health membership and gymnasium memberships, self-care and spa providers, and Norweigan Cruise Line purchases |
| 2024 — This autumn | McDonald’s (elevated 7% money again for Freedom Flex cardholders), PayPal, pet outlets and veterinarian providers, and choose charities |
| 2024 — Q3 | Fuel and electrical car charging stations, film theaters, and choose reside leisure |
| 2024 — Q2 | Inns booked by way of Chase Journey℠, eating and Amazon (completely different incomes charges relying on the cardboard, i.e., 9%, 7% and 5%, respectively, for the Freedom Flex; 5% for all three classes for the Freedom) |
| 2024 — Q1 | Choose grocery shops, health membership and gymnasium memberships, and self-care and spa providers |
| 2023 — This autumn | PayPal, choose charities and wholesale golf equipment |
| 2023 — Q3 | Fuel stations, EV charging and choose reside leisure |
| 2023 — Q2 | Amazon and Lowe’s |
| 2023 — Q1 | Grocery shops, gymnasium memberships and health golf equipment, and Goal |
| 2022 — This autumn | PayPal and Walmart |
| 2022 — Q3 | Fuel stations, rental automobiles, film theaters and choose reside leisure |
| 2022 — Q2 | Amazon and choose streaming providers |
| 2022 — Q1 | Grocery shops and eBay |
| 2021 — This autumn | PayPal and Walmart |
| 2021 — Q3 | Grocery shops and choose streaming providers |
| 2021 — Q2 | Fuel stations and residential enchancment shops |
| 2021 — Q1 | Wholesale golf equipment, choose streaming providers and web, cable and cellphone providers |
| 2020 — This autumn | PayPal and Walmart |
| 2020 — Q3 | Amazon and Complete Meals Market |
| 2020 — Q2 | Grocery shops, gymnasium memberships and health golf equipment, and choose streaming providers |
| 2020 — Q1 | Fuel stations; web, cable and cellphone providers; and choose streaming providers |
| 2019 — This autumn | Chase Pay, PayPal and malls |
| 2019 — Q3 | Fuel stations and streaming providers |
| 2019 — Q2 | Grocery shops and residential enchancment |
| 2019 — Q1 | Fuel stations, drugstores and tolls |
| 2018 — This autumn | Wholesale golf equipment, malls and Chase Pay |
| 2018 — Q3 | Lyft, Walgreens and fuel stations |
| 2018 — Q2 | Groceries, PayPal and Chase Pay |
| 2018 — Q1 | Cell wallets, fuel stations and web, cable and cellphone service retailers |
| 2017 — This autumn | Walmart and malls |
| 2017 — Q3 | Eating places and film theaters |
| 2017 — Q2 | Grocery shops and drugstores |
| 2017 — Q1 | Fuel stations and native commuter transportation |
| 2016 — This autumn | Wholesale golf equipment, drugstores and malls |
| 2016 — Q3 | Eating places and wholesale golf equipment |
| 2016 — Q2 | Grocery shops and wholesale golf equipment |
| 2016 — Q1 | Fuel stations and native commuter transportation |
| 2015 — This autumn | Amazon, Zappos, Audible and Diapers.com |
| 2015 — Q3 | Fuel stations and Kohl’s |
| 2015 — Q2 | Eating places, Mattress Tub & Past, H&M and Overstock |
| 2015 — Q1 | Grocery shops, film theaters and Starbucks |
| 2014 — This autumn | Amazon, Zappos and malls |
| 2014 — Q3 | Fuel stations and Kohl’s |
| 2014 — Q2 | Eating places and Lowe’s |
| 2014 — Q1 | Fuel stations, film theaters and Starbucks |
| 2013 — This autumn | Malls and Amazon |
| 2012 — Q3 | Fuel stations, theme parks and Kohl’s |
| 2012 — Q2 | Eating places and film theaters |
| 2012 — Q1 | Fuel stations, drugstores and Starbucks |
Backside line
For those who’re a Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex cardholder, activate to earn 5% money again (or 5 factors per greenback) on grocery, health membership and gymnasium membership, self-care and spa, and Norwegian Cruise Line purchases throughout the first quarter of 2025.
Along with the rotating bonus classes, the Freedom Flex accrues 5% money again on all different journey booked by way of Chase Travel, 3% money again on drugstore purchases, 3% money again on eating (together with eligible supply providers), and 1% limitless money again on all different purchases.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex with a sign-up bonus of $200 money again after spending $500 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
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