Chase Freedom Q3 categories: Last chance to activate

If you carry the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) or the legacy Chase Freedom*, you can unlock 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) this quarter at gas and electric vehicle charging stations and on Instacart and select live entertainment.

You’ll need to activate your categories by Sept. 15 to take advantage of the bonus rewards. Once activated, you’ll earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined spending across these categories through Sept. 30 (then 1% back).

While Chase skipped an extra “birthday surprise” category this quarter, these bonus categories still offer plenty of ways to maximize rewards, whether that’s stocking up on groceries with Instacart, fueling road trips or scoring tickets to your favorite shows.

*This card is no longer available to new applicants. The information for the Chase Freedom has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase Freedom Q3 2025 categories

Until Sept. 30, Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom cardholders can earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) on spending in the following categories (on up to $1,500 of combined spending per quarter, then 1% cash back or 1 point per dollar):

• EV charging stations
• Gas stations
• Instacart
• Select live entertainment

Gas, EV charging and live entertainment have reliably appeared in Q3 for the past few years, but Instacart was a brand-new addition to the Freedom’s quarterly roster. It’s a great complement to the many Chase cards that offer Instacart benefits.

The previous two quarters saw Chase add a surprise category to celebrate the Freedom’s 15th birthday. These “birthday surprise” categories ran for the last month of each quarter, so we expected an extra category to arrive at the beginning of September.

Interestingly, this quarter’s birthday surprise was no surprise at all — not because it was predictable, but because it never came. When asked, Chase responded that it considers Instacart this quarter’s birthday surprise. That’s unfortunate for cardholders who were anticipating a fifth bonus category, but we may see Chase return to form for the holidays with a surprise category in December.

As noted above, you must activate this quarter’s categories to unlock the bonus-earning potential. This is your last chance to activate, since the window closes on Sept. 15.

It’s simple to complete this process through your Chase account; just provide your last name, the last four digits of your card and your ZIP code.

Analyzing the Q3 bonus categories

These categories can help you craft the perfect end-of-summer itinerary. Whether you need food and drinks for a farewell to summer cookout, tickets to a music festival or fuel for your road trip, your Freedom card can offer 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, then 1% back).

Here are the details:

• Gas and EV charging stations: This category is great for anyone planning a road trip, professionals who drive to work each day and that last beach trip you’ll take this summer. Even if you don’t have a car, this category may cover purchases made at gas station convenience stores, depending on how the charge codes on your statement.
• Instacart: Online grocery delivery is a great tool for those without time to shop and those who need last-minute items alike. Whether you’re planning a poolside party or you realize you forgot the ketchup half an hour before the cookout, Instacart can help you get what you need while earning bonus cash back.
• Select live entertainment: This is one of the best ways to reap lots of rewards from your Freedom card this quarter. If you plan on attending a concert, festival, sports game or other eligible event with others, offer to charge everyone’s ticket to your card. Of course, make sure you can rely on your friends and family to pay you back before your bill is due.

Remember that Chase limits the 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) you can earn to the first $1,500 spent in combined bonus categories each quarter you activate the bonus. After you reach the maximum, you’ll earn 1% back (or 1 point per dollar spent) on these purchases.

Chase Freedom rotating categories history

Chase Freedom bonus categories FAQs

How do rotating categories work?

Each quarter, Chase announces a group of bonus categories that will earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) throughout the upcoming three-month period (on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter).

Generally, these categories are announced halfway through the month before the new quarter starts to give cardmembers time to activate new categories beforehand. However, you can activate your categories until midway through the last month of the quarter.

The categories tend to repeat periodically. For instance, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations are all common categories you’ll notice frequently pop up on the bonus calendar. So, depending on the categories and whether you can maximize them, these two cards can offer quite a nice chunk of cash back or bonus points over the year.

How much cash back can I earn each quarter?

Chase limits the 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) to the first $1,500 spent in combined bonus categories each quarter you activate the bonus.

While that may not sound like a lot, that cash back adds up over time. Maximizing the cash-back categories each quarter, you’ll earn $75 in cash back quarterly and up to $300 per year. For a no-annual-fee credit card, that’s a lot of value.

Alternatively, suppose you have a card that earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). In that case, you can combine the rewards from your Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex card with those you earn from your more premium Ultimate Rewards-earning card. By doing this, your rewards become fully transferable.

If you follow that method, your $300 in bonus cash back would be worth 30,000 Ultimate Rewards points. TPG’s June 2025 valuations peg Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece, making the 30,000 points you can earn in a year worth $615.

How do I activate my 5% categories each quarter?

You can head to Chase’s site to activate your 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) categories for this quarter. You can also register through the Chase mobile app.

Here’s how to register:

1. Head to the Chase bonus activation page, or log into your Chase account.

2. Enter your last name, the last four digits of your card number and your billing ZIP code. If you don’t have your card on hand, log in to your Chase account to retrieve these digits.

3. Click “Activate your 5%” to register.

4. If you have multiple Chase Freedom cards, make sure to register each one.

5. Save a screenshot of your activation in case of any issues later, though you should also receive a “You’re Activated!” confirmation email.

Can I have both the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Flex to double my earning potential?

Yes, you can have both cards. So, if you already have the Chase Freedom and want to add the Chase Freedom Flex to your wallet, you’re free to do so.

Remember that the original Freedom card is no longer open to new applicants. If you’d rather only have one, though, the Freedom Flex is available as a product change.

Of course, you’ll also want to ensure you’re eligible for a new Chase card.

How do I maximize my Freedom and Freedom Flex cards?

The most important thing is to activate your card to earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) each quarter in the specific categories and then use your card for purchases in those categories.

You can set up a recurring reminder in your calendar or sign up for the TPG newsletter. (We send out a reminder when it’s time to activate every quarter, plus tips and tricks for how to maximize your card strategy and score some excellent award redemptions.)

In addition to the rotating bonus categories, the Freedom Flex accrues 5% cash back on all other travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, 3% cash back on dining (including eligible delivery services) and 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

Better yet, when paired with a Chase credit card that earns fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Chase Freedom Flex’s 5% cash back effectively becomes 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar. You can learn all about this in our guide detailing the “Chase Trifecta”.

Bottom line

If you’re a Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex cardholder, you can earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar spent) on Instacart, select live entertainment, gas and EV charging. You can earn bonus rewards on purchases through Sept. 30.

But you’ll need to activate this benefit before you can receive bonus rewards. Now’s your last chance, since activation closes on Sept. 15.

Remember that Chase limits your quarterly bonus category earnings to the first $1,500 of combined spending each quarter.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex