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New Chase Freedom Flex 5% Bonus Categories Announced [Q1: January to March]

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Katie Corrigan Seemann
Updated: 
Edited by: Nick Ellis
& Stella Shon
New Chase Freedom Flex 5% Bonus Categories Announced [Q1: January to March]
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The new Chase Freedom Flex® 5x categories for January to March have been announced. This is a simple card that could easily get overlooked in your wallet, but that would be a mistake because it has tremendous earning potential.

Each quarter, the Freedom Flex card has bonus categories that earn 5% cash-back (or 5x points — see below for details). The key to this card’s power is knowing how to use the bonus categories for maximum benefit.

In this post, we’ll review the new 5% bonus categories for Q1 2026 (January to March) and offer tips on how to get the most out of your Freedom Flex card.

New 2026 Q1 5% Bonus Categories

The new 5% bonus categories for 2026 Q1 will be dining, the American Heart Association, and Norwegian Cruise Line. That means qualifying purchases made in these categories from January 1 through March 31, 2026, (up to $1,500) will earn 5% cash-back. Any purchases made in these categories over $1,500, plus all other purchases, will earn 1% cash-back.

Chase Freedom 5x Q1 2026
Image Credit: Chase

Cardholders are likely to be especially intrigued by the dining category, as it is not uncommon for many households to spend at least $500 per month on dining, which would allow you to hit the $1,500 threshold and earn $75 in cash-back or 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Here is a look back at the quarterly categories from 2025 to speculate what other bonus categories might lie ahead for 2026.

Chase 5x categories Q4 2025
Image Credit: Chase

What’s Included in the New 5% Categories?

  • Dining: Earn 5% cash-back at restaurants, including dine-in, takeout, and eligible delivery services.
  • American Heart Association: For the first time, cardmembers can support the American Heart Association and earn 5% cash-back, allowing them to make a difference while maximizing rewards.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line: Earn 5% back when booking directly with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Benefits of the Freedom Flex Card

Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Freedom Flex®
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Chase Freedom Flex®
The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Flex® sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%
  • Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
Cons
    • 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49%-27.99%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Flex card is a simple but powerful credit card. This $0-annual-fee card offers bonus categories that rotate quarterly. Any purchases in the specified category will earn 5% cash-back (up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter). There are also additional categories that earn 3% to 5% cash-back. All other purchases will earn 1% cash-back.

  • Earn 5% cash-back in quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500)
  • Earn 5% cash-back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel portal
  • Earn 2% cash-back on Lyft rides (through September 30, 2027)
  • Earn 3% cash-back on dining (including food delivery services)
  • Earn 3% cash-back at drugstores
  • Earn 1% cash-back on all other purchases

In addition to these valuable bonus categories that help you earn tons of cash-back, the Freedom Flex card also has great additional benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, and cell phone protection.

Welcome Bonus Offer

The Freedom Flex card is currently offering the following welcome bonus offer: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months.

Hot Tip:

The Freedom Flex card is not the same as the Chase Freedom® Card. The Freedom Flex card replaced the Freedom card, which is no longer available for new applicants (but is available as a downgrade from select cards). If you already have a Freedom card, you can still get a Freedom Flex card; however, both cards are eligible for the quarterly bonus categories.

How Your 5% Cash-Back Works

Each quarter, your Freedom Flex card features a different bonus category that earns 5% cash-back (up to $1,500) instead of the standard 1% cash-back. Any purchases over $1,500 in the bonus category, plus all other non-bonus category purchases, earn 1% cash-back.

If you max out your bonus, you earn $75 cash-back (or 7,500 Ultimate Rewards points) each quarter or $300 cash-back (or 30,000 points) per year. Not bad for a card with $0 annual fee!

How To Activate Your Bonus

Each quarter, you must activate your bonus categories. You will be able to activate the next quarter’s bonus categories about 2 weeks before the start of that quarter. Starting December 15, 2025, you can activate your Q1 (January to March) bonus for 2026.

Activating your bonus only takes a few clicks.

1. Log in to your online Chase account and select your Freedom Flex card from the selections on the left side of your screen.

2. If your bonus needs to be activated, you should see “Activate” on the Freedom Flex card dashboard. Click the link to continue.

How to activate Freedom Flex bonus categories
You need to activate your 5% cash-back categories each quarter. Image Credit: Chase

3. You should see a detailed description of the bonus categories you’re activating. Click on the big green “Activate Now” button to complete the activation. That’s all there is to it!

Activate chase freedom 5 categories
Be sure to click the “Activate Now” button each quarter. Image Credit: Chase

Chase offers several other ways to activate your bonus:

  • Call 800-524-8200
  • Visit a Chase branch
  • Activate via an ATM
  • Activate at chasebonus.com

Each quarter has a deadline for activating your bonus. As long as you activate by the deadline, any qualifying purchases from the entire quarter earn bonus points — even those made before activating.

Once your bonus categories are activated, you should be able to see that they are activated in your online dashboard for your Freedom Flex card.

How To Check Your Progress on the $1,500 Maximum

Maxing out your quarterly bonus is key to making the most of your Freedom Flex card.

  1. To check your progress, click on the blue “Details” button in your online account. This button takes you to the Freedom Flex card details page, where you can keep track of your progress. Unfortunately, Chase only shows you a general idea of your progress, not an exact dollar amount.
Check Freedom Flex 5 earnings
First, you’ll want to head over to your account dashboard. Image Credit: Chase

2. If you want to know how much you have spent down to the penny, you need to use the “Search” feature right above the list of your transactions.

How to search on Freedom Flex card
Use the search button to filter your transactions. Image Credit: Chase

3. Under “Time Period,” select “Specific date range.” Next, input the start date of the current quarter with the end date being the current day. Then click on the blue “Search” button.

This selection brings up a list of all transactions on your Freedom Flex card in the current quarter. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to select only the purchases in the bonus categories, so you might have to do some manual math.

Search a date range on a Chase credit card
Don’t forget to toggle the dates for the right quarter. Image Credit: Chase

2026 Freedom Flex Card Bonus Categories

Q1: January to March

  • American Heart Association
  • Dining
  • Norwegian Cruise Line

2025 Freedom Flex Card Bonus Categories

Q1: January to March

  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target)
  • Fitness clubs and gym memberships
  • Self-care and spa services (excluding services purchased at hotels)
  • Tax preparation services and insurance payments (March bonus category)

Q2: April to June

  • Amazon.com
  • Select streaming services
  • Internet, cable, and phone purchases (June bonus category)

Q3: July to September

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

Q4: October to December

  • Chase Travel
  • Department stores
  • Old Navy
  • PayPal (December bonus category)
Bottom Line:

The new 5x Freedom Flex card categories for 2026 Q1 are dining, the American Heart Association, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Purchases made in these categories (up to $1,500) from January 1 to March 31, 2026, will earn 5% cash-back.

Past Bonus Categories

If you’re on the fence about getting a Freedom Flex card, you might want to know some of the past bonus categories, as they are often repeated.

These are the categories we’ve seen on the Freedom card over the past few years (again, the Freedom Flex card has replaced the Freedom card).

  • Amazon
  • Car rentals
  • Charities
  • Department stores
  • Drugstores
  • eBay
  • EV charging
  • Fitness clubs and gym memberships
  • Gas stations
  • Grocery stores
  • Home improvement stores
  • Internet, cable, and phone services
  • Live entertainment
  • Lowe’s
  • Lyft
  • Mobile wallet payments
  • Movie theaters
  • PayPal
  • Target
  • Wholesale clubs

How To Maximize the Value of Your Freedom Flex Card

Max Out the Bonus Categories Each Quarter

The key to making the most of this card is to max out your bonus category each quarter. Since you earn 5% cash-back on the first $1,500 in purchases in the bonus category, it results in $75 cash-back (or 7,500 points) each quarter.

Here are a few tips to help you reach that $1,500 mark without buying a bunch of stuff you don’t need:

  • Amazon.com: This category is easy to leverage for online shopping enthusiasts who have Amazon Prime.
  • Gas Stations: This one might be hard to max out entirely on gas, but many gas stations sell more than just gas. You can earn 5% cash-back on basic groceries and gift cards at gas stations.
  • Grocery Stores: This is one of the easiest categories to maximize because most grocery stores sell gift cards to just about anywhere. If you won’t spend the full $1,500 on groceries, purchase gift cards to stores that you frequent often. Many grocery stores even sell airline and other travel gift cards.
  • Lowe’s: You can maximize this bonus category whether you have a home improvement project or want to pick up gift cards.
  • Mobile Wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Samsung Pay): This is another easy category to max out. Many stores now accept these forms of payment.
  • PayPal: More and more websites are accepting PayPal as a form of payment now. Just be sure to link your Freedom Flex card account to your PayPal account.

Can I Turn My Cash-Back Into Points?

The cash-back you earn on the Freedom Flex card comes in the form of points that are each worth 1 cent. You can redeem these for cash-back or you can book travel through Chase Travel.

However, if you hold a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Sapphire Reserve for Business℠, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can maximize the value of your Freedom Flex card with Ultimate Rewards points.

NEW OFFER
Chase Sapphire Reserve®Terms Apply / Rates & Fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
125,000 points
$2,500
$795
19.74% - 28.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Excellent
Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
  • 5x points on Lyft rides
  • 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
Cons
    • $795 annual fee
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
  • Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
  • Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
  • Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

NEW OFFER
Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 75,000 points
$1,500
$95
19.49% - 27.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
Cons
  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
  • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
  • 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.49% - 27.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

NEW OFFER
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠Terms Apply / Rates & Fees
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Apply Now
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.
Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and access more than $6,500 in total business and travel value in your first year.
200,000 points
$4,000
$795
17.99% - 25.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Excellent
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a great pick for business owners who can easily make use of the annual credits for travel, Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, and more. Plus, it offers helpful bonus categories such as ad spend and offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges — including Chase Sapphire Lounges.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 8x points on Chase Travel purchases
  • 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
  • 3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (uncapped)
Cons
    • $795 annual fee
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
  • $6,500+ in value your first year. 200K points, valued at $4,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase Travel℠, plus $2,500+ in annual value through travel and business benefits.
  • Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
  • Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
  • Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
  • Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 17.99% - 25.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
NEW OFFER
Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 points
$2,000
$95
19.74% - 25.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
  • Cell phone protection
  • Purchase protection
Cons
    • No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.74% - 25.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Instead of taking cash-back, you can transfer the points earned on your Freedom Flex card to a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card (one that charges an annual fee). Transferring points increases their value when you use them to book travel through the Chase Travel portal.

For example, your 7,500 points are worth $75 in travel through the Freedom Flex card. However, if you transfer them to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Ink Business Preferred card, they would be worth up to $131.25 through the Points Boost feature on travel bookings. If you transfer them to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, they would be worth up to $150.

Even better, when you also hold a premium card, you can transfer your points to any of Chase’s transfer partners. This is the best way to get maximum value from your points. You could get 2 cents, 3 cents or even more per point in value.

Bottom Line:

You can get the most value out of your Freedom Flex card by pairing it with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, or Ink Business Preferred card.

Final Thoughts

The Freedom Flex card is a great $0-annual-fee card with enormous earning power. This card offers 5% cash-back in bonus categories that rotate quarterly. The new 5x categories for 2026 Q1 are dining, the American Heart Association, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Maxing out your quarterly bonus is a great way to earn tons of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 2026 Q1 Freedom Flex card bonus categories?

From January 1 through March 31, 2026, the new 5% bonus categories for 2026 Q1 will be dining, the American Heart Association, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Is the Freedom Flex card a cash-back card or an Ultimate Rewards-earning card?

The Freedom Flex card is advertised as a straight cash-back card. And while you can absolutely take the cash-back, you can get more value by using earned rewards as Ultimate Rewards points instead. With Ultimate Rewards points, you can book travel directly through Chase Travel. If you have a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ink Business Preferred card, you can transfer those points to hotel and airline partners for even more value.

How is the Freedom Flex card different from the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

While these 2 cards have similar names, they are indeed very different. The Freedom Flex card offers 5% cash-back in rotating categories every quarter. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a flat 1.5% cash-back on all purchases. Check out our detailed comparison of the Freedom Unlimited card vs. Freedom Flex card.

When do I need to activate the Freedom Flex card bonus categories?

You can start activating each quarter’s bonus categories about 2 weeks before the start of the quarter. You can activate the bonus anytime in the specified period to earn bonus points for the entire quarter.

  • Q1: Activate anytime between December 15, 2025, and March 14, 2026.
  • Q2: Activate anytime between March 15, 2026, and June 14, 2026.
  • Q3: Activate anytime between June 15, 2026, and September 14, 2026.
  • Q4: Activate anytime between September 15, 2026, and December 14, 2026.
I already have the Freedom Unlimited card. Can I still apply for the Freedom Flex card?

Yes! You can absolutely have both of these cards in your wallet, and that’s a great strategy to earn tons of Ultimate Rewards points! However, your application could be denied if you have opened too many cards recently. Chase operates by the 5/24 rule. That means if you have opened up 5 or more credit cards (from any bank, not just Chase) in the last 24 months, you will most likely be denied.

What's the difference between the Freedom card and the Freedom Flex card?

The Freedom Flex card is an updated version that has replaced the Freedom card. If you already have a Freedom card, you can get a Freedom Flex card, since they are different (but similar) products. The Freedom card is no longer open for new applications, but the card is eligible for the same bonus categories as the Freedom Flex card.

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About Katie Corrigan Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then, and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, LongWeekends Magazine, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer: As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
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  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

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