Chase Reveals Additional 5x Bonus Freedom Categories for March

The Chase Freedom Flex^® and Chase Freedom^® card are popular cash-back credit cards with rotating 5% bonus categories that change every quarter. After activating, cardholders can earn 5% cash-back on purchases totaling up to $1,500 in those bonus categories.

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Freedom card, Chase has unveiled surprise bonus categories for March 2025, which are in addition to the existing bonus categories for Q1.

Let’s look at the details of these surprise bonus categories.

New March 2025 Freedom 5x Bonus Categories

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Freedom card (which isn’t open to new applicants), Chase has introduced special bonus categories for March 2025. The special categories also apply to the Freedom Flex card, which is available for applicants.

In March, along with the existing Freedom Flex card’s Q1 categories — which include grocery stores, fitness clubs, hair and nail services, spa services, and Norwegian Cruise Line — cardholders have the chance to earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on tax preparation services and insurance payments.

Any purchases made in these categories over $1,500, plus all purchases on non-bonus categories, will earn 1% cash-back.

These categories are now available until March 31, 2025, and you must activate them by March 14, 2025. With the April 15, 2025 tax filing deadline approaching, Chase’s decision to add these extra categories to the Freedom Flex card’s 5x bonus categories is a wise move.

Tax preparation services, such as TurboTax or your own tax accountant, will contribute to the 5x bonus earnings. Regarding insurance payments, eligible categories include health, car, homeowners, renters, medical, and life.

This is just a friendly reminder that product warranties and trip insurance purchases aren’t eligible.

Benefits of the Freedom Flex Card

The Freedom Flex card is a great option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card.

With the Freedom Flex card, you can earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter (activation is required). These rotating quarterly bonus categories vary and have included grocery stores, wholesale clubs, gas stations, and even online purchases at Amazon in the past. You must activate your bonus categories each quarter.

The Freedom Flex card earns 5% cash-back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel portal and 5% cash-back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025. It also earns 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services. All other purchases earn 1% cash-back.

Final Thoughts

Just in time for tax season, Chase has launched 2 unexpected bonus categories that will award Freedom card and Freedom Flex cardholders with 5% cash-back on tax preparation and insurance payments. If you have not yet activated your Q1 bonus categories yet, you should do so before the March 14, 2025, deadline.