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chase freedom 5% categories

Chase Freedom 5% Categories: Activate Your Bonus for Q3

If you have the Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex card, now is the time to activate your 5% rotating bonus categories for Q3 of 2025. These categories offer an easy way to boost your rewards on everyday spending.

Be sure to activate your bonus each quarter to earn the full rewards!

📅 Chase Freedom Flex 5% Calendar

Current quarter: Q3 2025
Activation period: 6/15/2025 – 9/14/2025
Bonus earning window: 7/1/2025 – 9/30/2025

🔥 This Quarter’s 5% Bonus Categories:

⛽⚡Gas Stations / EV charging

🛒🥕 Instacart

🎤🎟️ Live Entertainment

You’ll earn 5% back (5x points) on the first $1,500 in combined purchases across these categories during the quarter.

🔧 How to Activate Your Bonus

It only takes a moment to activate your categories:

  1. Go to the Chase 5% Activation Site

  2. Enter requested info

  3. Click “Activate now” for the current quarter

Important: You must activate before September 14th, 2025 to qualify.

💡 Maximize Your Earnings This Quarter

Here’s how to get the most value from the 5% categories:

  • Use your Freedom or Freedom Flex card exclusively in the bonus categories

  • Prepay or buy gift cards (where possible) to max out the $1,500 limit

  • Add your card as the default payment for recurring charges that line up with the bonus categories

  • Track your spending so you know when you’ve hit the cap

🧳 Turn Cash Back Into Travel Rewards

(Note: Travel is the Point may earn a referral bonus if you’re approved through some of the links below. We strive to feature the best publicly available offers and only recommend cards based on their value, rewards potential, and fit for travelers. Thank you for your support!)

Although the Freedom & Freedom Flex are technically “cash back” cards, savvy travelers know the real value comes from combining points with a Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred®.

When paired with one of those cards, your 5% cash back becomes 5x Ultimate Rewards® points—redeemable for high-value travel through Chase or transferred to partners like Hyatt, United, and more.

💳 Don’t Have the Chase Freedom Flex Yet?

chase freedom flex

This card is a favorite in the points-and-miles community for a reason. No annual fee, built-in 3% bonus on dining and drugstores, and 5% rotating categories make it a great tool for beginners and pros alike.

👉 Apply for the Chase Freedom Flex® here

Final Thoughts

The 5% bonus from Chase Freedom Flex is an easy way to boost your points earning every quarter. Stay on top of category changes, activate on time, and you’ll be earning more rewards without changing how you spend.

📬 Have questions or want a custom travel points plan? Contact me for 1-on-1 consulting!

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