New Chase Freedom Flex 5%-7% Bonus Categories [Q4: October to December]

The new Chase Freedom Flex^® 5x categories for October to December are now available for registration. 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 Q4 2026 (October to December), including a category that earns 7% back, and offer tips on how to get the most out of your Freedom Flex card.

New 2026 Q4 5% Bonus Categories

The new 5% bonus categories for 2026 Q4 are grocery stores, dining purchases, and donations to the American Red Cross. That means qualifying purchases made in these categories from October 1 through December 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.

Cardholders are likely to be especially intrigued by grocery stores and dining purchases, as spending $500 per month combined on these purchases should be fairly easy for most, and that would allow you to hit the $1,500 threshold and earn $75 in cash-back or 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

And since this card already earns 3% back on dining, the extra 4% available this quarter means cardholders can earn 7% cash-back on $1,500 of dining spending from October 1 to December 31.

Benefits of the Freedom Flex Card

Chase Freedom Flex^®

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.

Welcome Offer

Limited Time Offer! Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$250

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%

Credit Recommended

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

• Cannot transfer points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Limited Time Offer! Earn a $250 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!
• New Benefit! Earn rewards worldwide with no foreign transaction fees
• 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 use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States.
• 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 no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and purchase protection.

Welcome Bonus Offer

The Freedom Flex card is currently offering the following welcome bonus offer: Earn a $250 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. Activation for the Q4 2026 categories started on September 15 and runs through October 14, 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.

3. You should see a detailed description of the bonus categories you’re activating. Click on the “Activate Now” button to complete the activation. That’s all there is to it! The page will say “Activated” as a confirmation once you’re done.

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, usually on the 14th of the final month. 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 them 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.

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.

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

This selection displays a list of all transactions on your Freedom Flex card for 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.

2027 Freedom Flex Card Bonus Categories

Q1: January to March

• Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target)
• Top streaming services

Available to activate December 15, 2026.

2026 Freedom Flex Card Bonus Categories

Q1: January to March

• American Heart Association
• Dining
• Norwegian Cruise Line

Q2: April to June

• Chase Travel
• Amazon
• Feeding America

Q3: July to September

• Gas Stations and EV Charging
• Public Transit
• Select Live Entertainment
• United Way

Q4: October to December

• Grocery Stores
• Dining
• American Red Cross

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 Q4 are grocery stores, dining purchases, and donations to the American Red Cross. Purchases made in these categories (up to $1,500) from October 1 to December 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 about 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).

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 now accept PayPal as a form of payment. Just be sure to link your Freedom Flex card account to your PayPal account.
• Select Live Entertainment: Concerts, sporting events, and theme parks aren’t cheap, so earning 5x on admission purchases can be a nice perk.

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.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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 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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.74% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get $3,000 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, a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually when you dine at restaurants 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 subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $324 annually.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

BEST FIRST TRAVEL CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.49 - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands, and streaming services.

It offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and strong travel insurance coverage, including primary car rental insurance. If you travel a few times a year and spend on dining, the card is likely to be a good choice, but it’s hard to justify if you don’t dine out or travel often.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via Chase Travel
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 application restrictions

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, 3x on vacation homes at top brands, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation, and more.
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.
• Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders, plus exclusive Chase savings on grocery, everyday essentials, and more. Activate by 12/31/29.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49 - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

OFFER EXTENDED

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and access more than $7,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.

200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$4,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.99% - 28.74%

Credit Recommended

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 (up to $1 million per anniversary year starting 11/15/2026, then 1x)

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.
• $7,000+ in value your first year. 200K points, valued at $4,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase Travel℠, plus $3,000+ 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 on up to $1 million in spend each anniversary year, starting 11/15/26.
• 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: Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.99% - 28.74%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$95

APR

17.99% - 26.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

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: 17.99% - 26.99% 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 Q4 are grocery stores, dining purchases, and donations to the American Red Cross. Maxing out your quarterly bonus is a great way to earn tons of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.