Maximize your leisure spending with the Chase Freedom Flex
Every three months, Chase Freedom (no longer available to new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex® offers a new set of bonus categories that earn you at least 5% cash back on purchases up to $1,500 (activation required). If you maximize this benefit, you can get a total of $75 cash back. And if you keep Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®You can convert your reward into full Chase Ultimate Rewards points, even more valuable because you can transfer them to your companions.
The information about the Chase Freedom credit card has been collected independently 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 almost three years, and I’ve earned more points than any other card thanks to its rotating bonus categories. In previous quarters, I’ve accumulated points at Amazonrestaurants, grocery stores, home improvement stores, PayPal, and more. And since I also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, I can transfer my points to travel partners and use them to redeem free flights and hotel rooms.
This quarter Bonus category are gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, movie theaters, and some live entertainment. These are some of my favorite categories because I live in the Denver area, which has a lot of live entertainment and natural wonders to explore. Summer is the perfect time to earn extra points for these purchases because many of us will be losing family road trip or avoid 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 Bought the Chase Freedom Flex and How I Got the Maximum Cash Back This Quarter
Gas Stations and EV Charging
Since both my partner and I work from home, we don’t use as much gas as we used to (which is great for the environment and our wallets). But buy gas usually spikes in the summer when we often drive into the Rocky Mountains on weekends to hike or camp. I’ll take out the Freedom Flex every time we fill up the tank to maximize my rewards.
I don’t own an electric vehicle, so I won’t be able to take advantage of the bonus points for EV charging—but I appreciate Chase for offering both gas and electric options.
Related: Great Road Trips in the US for Summer 2024
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Cinema
Spending an afternoon in an air-conditioned movie theater is a great 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 head to my local theater, where I can grab dinner before the show—and get 5% back on both food and tickets.
Remember that anything you buy at the theater (or through the theater’s website) is eligible for rewards. This means not just tickets, but also concessions, memberships, and gift cards. So if you’ve been thinking about getting a theater membership, now might be a great time to do it. If you think the theater gift card Will be a great Christmas gift for friends, you can also buy it now.
Live entertainment
Find out what’s included
This category is pretty broad, but there are some exclusions. To understand what Chase considers “live entertainment,” check out the merchant list.
Here is information about this quarter:
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Major professional sporting event | Cinema |
| Zoos and aquariums | bowling alley |
| Concert | Horse racing track |
| Stage production | Casino |
| Museum | Ballrooms and clubs |
| Tourist attractions and exhibitions | Tickets purchased from hotel or concierge |
| Amusement park | Excursions booked as part of a tour package |
| Circus | |
| Carnival | |
| Bands | |
| Entertainer | |
| Ticket agents sell tickets on behalf of entertainment venues |
The Denver metropolitan area, where I live, has teams in all the major sports and many concert venues and theater companies. I plan to attend several baseball and football games, concerts, and theater performances this summer.
I’ll also be renewing my memberships at my local zoo and science museum this quarter so I can earn 5 points for every dollar spent on memberships. Most places will let you renew early — so even if your membership isn’t due in October, you can still pay your renewal fee in August to earn extra points and your membership will renew in October as usual.
Related: Why the Sapphire Presents Concert Series Should Be on Your To-Do List This Summer
Book group event
Since we don’t have kids, my partner and I can attend plays, concerts, and sporting events for relatively cheap. I usually struggle to hit the $1,500 maximum in this bonus category, but I find that booking group activities for friends and family is a great way to increase my rewards.
This summer, I’m planning a group trip with friends to a Rapids soccer game and a local amusement park. I’m going to volunteer to buy everyone’s tickets (using my Flex card, of course) and have them reimburse me. This is often the easiest way to get seats together and allows me to earn more points without paying more than I normally would.
Plan ahead
What I love most about the live entertainment bonus category is that you can buy tickets now for events weeks or months down the road. When it comes to plays, concert and sporting events, I’ll check the calendar for later this year and even next year. If there’s something I know I want to see, I’ll book it right away to get the extra points.
Experiences are also great gifts — and I like to buy them early so I have plenty of time to find the perfect gift without stress. My partner and parents were both born in the fall, so I’ll use this quarter to plan birthday gifts and even some Christmas gifts. If I decide to give 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 Cool Travel Gifts for Travel Lovers, Used by Travel Experts
Attention
Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 5% back on their first $1,500 in purchases at gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, movie theaters, and select live entertainment through September 30. After the first $1,500, you’ll only earn 1% back on those purchases.
So I’ll be tracking my progress carefully on the Chase website. If I hit the $1,500 maximum, I’ll switch to a card that’s more beneficial for these purchases, like Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Last line
The Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex’s rotating bonus categories make these cards powerful tools for earning cash back or Ultimate Rewards points. These quarterly categories are perfect for family outings and long-distance trips, and you can earn even more points by booking group activities, planning ahead, and thinking about gifts.
Register here: Chase Freedom Flex
