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Chase Freedom Flex Q2 2021 Bonus categories: Gas Stations and Home Improvement
We love the Chase Freedom Flex for this exact perk: rotating, quarterly 5x bonus categories. What does that mean? It means that every 3 months Chase Freedom releases a new list of bonus categories that earn 5x throughout the quarter. It’s an incredible way to multiply the number points you make on purchases, or strategize for the future. Chase has announced the new rotating bonus categories: Gas Stations and Home Improvement stores.
Additionally, Chase released their Chase Freedom Flex in 2020 and it’s a stellar card. It’s the updated Mastercard version of the Chase Freedom, but if you still carry the Chase Freedom, you still qualify for rotating category bonuses as well. I would definitely consider either getting a Chase Freedom Flex or converting your existing Freedom to a Freedom Flex in order to enjoy the native category bonuses the card offers in addition to these quarterly, rotating category bonuses.
There are a couple of caveats of the 5x rotating category bonus: Go here to activate
- The spending is capped at $1500
- This means that your earning potential is maxed at out 7500 points or $75 cashback
- You must activate this perk each quarter, starting the 15th of the month prior ( September ), up until the 14th of the last month (December).
- If you have a Freedom and Freedom Flex, you’ll get $1500 per card.
I’ve used a lot of Chase points for swanky redemptions like the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
What are the 1st quarter 2021 Chase Freedom/Freedom Flex Bonus categories that are ending?
- Wholesale Clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club
- Internet, Cable, and phone services
- Select streaming services
A couple of things to note…the new Chase Freedom Flex is a Mastercard and thus wouldn’t be accepted at Costco in person, BUT you can use it at Costco.com ; however, the old Freedom is a Visa and would be accepted in store.
Additionally, the Chase Freedom Flex has great mobile phone insurance and should really be a top consideration for your mobile phone payments regardless of the category bonus.
When Do the new bonus Categories start? April 1st.
You’ll need to register for these bonus categories by June 15th, 2021. As long as you register by that date, all of the purchases made in these categories will earn 5%/5x points.

Where Do I go to Register? Click here – available 3/15/21

How we use Chase Freedom/ Freedom Flex to get closer to lie-flat seats and 5 star suites.
If you’re like me and carry a Chase Premium credit card like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred then you can combine your Freedom Flex points into those accounts in order to transfer them into valuable partners.
This is by far the most advantageous usage of Ultimate Rewards, but also increases the value when redeemed in the Chase Travel center. For instance, if you move them into a Chase Sapphire Reserve account, your points will instantly be redeemable for 1.5 cents per point, a 50% increase over redeeming them in the Freedom Chase Travel Center.
Don’t have a Chase premium card?
You should definitely check out our thoughts and the latest offers on:
Combining a Chase Premium card like those above will help you optimize your spend and value of the points you’re earning.
One of the coolest ways to use Chase Ultimate rewards? Emirates First Class. Immerse yourself in the full experience in our YouTube video below!
Trying to decide which card to get, but struggling (so overwhelmed with the options). Currently only have Chase Southwest… Chase Freedom seems like a good option with home improvement projects in the coming weeks. Any thoughts? Should I reach out to you directly?
Chase Freedom Flex referral https://www.referyourchasecard.com/18f/K8IMR820QY
I have a few chase cards and love the points portal. What drives me bonkers about all the credit card programs is the dang activate. I don’t get it…. It seems like such a waste of everyone’s time:)
But hey, ho we need the points!
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i am getting a new freedom card that offers 5% on grocery stores. but this quarters special
is for walmart., which is a grocery store. if i go to walmart does it count against the grocery
store annual limit?
Robert – great question – the 5x on grocery stores excludes Target and Walmart so it’ll only count against the quarterly 5x
I received the 2020 Chase Freedom “Unlimited” card with 5x grocery bonus for the year. There are other perks/benefits, but I can’t seem to activate the Q1 bonus. I’m assuming the “Unlimited” is different than the plain Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex?
Thanks for the info on a really good deal. Any suggestions on ways to maximize the promotion?
Christian – I think the easiest will be Paypal since a lot of vendors accept this as payment. I know a lot of home lawn care, baby sitters, tutors, award bookers, etc accept it as payment. You think you’ll get the new Flex?
Interesting Article. Thanks
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