The Chase Freedom FlexSM Credit Card (review) is an incredible no annual fee card belonging to Chase’s Freedom portfolio, which can help you maximize your points, thanks to its quarterly bonus categories. With the quarter (and new year) being right around the corner, Chase has just opened registration for its Q1 2025 bonus categories, so I’d highly recommend registering ASAP.
Note that these same bonus categories are also valid for the Chase Freedom Card, which is no longer open to new applicants.
In this post:
Why I love the Chase Freedom Flex
The Chase Freedom Flex Card is easily one of the best no annual fee cards out there, as it offers 5x points in rotating quarterly categories, for up to $1,500 of spending per quarter. Most people use this as a cashback card, meaning the 5x points really translates into 5% cashback in these categories.
The card has other bonus categories as well, as it offers 3x points (or 3% cash back) at drugstores and on dining.
The best part is that in conjunction with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review), Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review), or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review), points earned on this card can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points, and be transferred to the Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partners, or can be redeemed at a favorable rate through the Chase Travel Portal.
Since I value one Ultimate Rewards point at significantly more than one cent, that’s my preferred use of those points.
Chase Freedom Flex Q1 2025 bonus categories
For the first quarter of 2025, the Freedom Flex Card is offering 5x points on the first $1,500 spent on grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), Norwegian Cruise Lines, fitness clubs and gym memberships, and hair, nail, and spa services. As far as key dates go:
- You need to register between December 15, 2024, and March 14, 2025
- If you register, you can earn 5x points between January 1 and March 31, 2025
How to register your Chase Freedom Flex for 5x points
Registration is easy — just go to the registration page and enter your last name, billing zip code, and the last four digits on your card, and you’ll be registered.
My take on Q1 2025 5x points categories
Everyone has different spending patterns, so will have different takes on the quarterly bonus categories. Personally I quite like the Q1 2025 bonus categories, mainly because 5x points on groceries is one of my favorite bonuses offered by the card. I’ll have no issues maxing that out.
The rest of the categories are a bit less exciting to me, but others might find more value with them.
How to make Chase Freedom Flex points more valuable
To recap, you earn points on the Chase Freedom Flex, and each point can be redeemed for one cent cashback.
However, if you have this card in addition to one of the cards that accrues Ultimate Rewards points, you can transfer these points to Ultimate Rewards. Cards that accrue Ultimate Rewards Cards include the:
So 5% cashback converts into 5x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar with one of the above cards.
Bottom line
The Chase Freedom Flex is one of the best no annual fee cards out there, thanks largely to the ability to earn 5x points in rotating quarterly categories. Registration has just opened for the Q1 2025 bonus categories. Between January 1 and March 31, 2025, it’ll be possible to earn 5x points on grocery stores, Norwegian Cruise Lines, fitness clubs and gym memberships, and hair, nail, and spa services.
Keep in mind that if you registered for the Q4 2024 bonus categories, you can continue to earn 5x points for spending with McDonald’s, PayPal, pet shops, vet services, and select charities, through the end of the year (up to the $1,500 cap).
What do you make of the Q1 2025 Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories?
Let's be honest, the categories used to be better years ago because they were more general, such as shopping, restaurants, flights, but nowadays the categories are VERY specific.
Does Instacart grocery delivery usually count towards the grocery category?
Gym membership is always a good one. Will switch Equinox billing to Freedom from Amex
Norwegian Cruise line is a big surprise and welcome one for me!!
The grocery store promotion is always a welcome one. The other ones in the first quarter are sort of meh.