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.
Now that it’s mid-September (where has this year gone?!), Chase has opened registration for its Q4 2023 bonus categories, which allow you to earn 5x points on the first $1,500 spent in select categories between October and the end of the year. I’d highly recommend registering ASAP, so that you don’t forget to do so in the future.
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 Q4 2023 bonus categories
For the fourth quarter of 2023, the Freedom Flex Card is offering 5x points on the first $1,500 spent with PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select charities. As far as key dates go:
- You need to register between September 15 and December 14, 2023
- If you register, you can earn 5x points between October 1 and December 31, 2023
How to register your Chase Freedom Flex
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.
What’s included with Chase Freedom Flex Q4 2023 bonus categories?
There’s often some confusion about what purchases qualify with the bonus categories. So let’s go over Chase’s definitions of each category for Q4 2023.
Here’s what’s included with the PayPal bonus category:
Purchases made using PayPal at merchants in the current 5% quarterly categories will be awarded a total of 5% Cash Back rewards. Payments made through the Xoom transfer service are not eligible for 5%. Must have/open a PayPal account. Please note, Person-to-Person (P2P) transactions made with your Chase Freedom card on PayPal may be prohibited or not eligible for 5%.
Here’s what’s included with the wholesale clubs bonus category:
Merchants in this category operate warehouse-style retail stores, sell in bulk, and concentrate on price appeal. These merchants sell a full range of household goods and merchandise, groceries, furniture, electronics, appliances, and auto supplies. These merchants may or may not have membership requirements. Gas, fuel, wholesale specialty service purchases such as travel, insurance, cell phone and home improvement will not qualify in this category. Delivery service merchants will be included if they classify as a wholesale club merchant. Mastercard not accepted at Costco warehouses or at gas stations.
Here’s what’s included with the select charities bonus category:
This category includes the following charities: American Red Cross, Equal Justice Initiatives, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Leadership Conference Education Fund, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, National Urban League, Thurgood Marshall College, Fund, United Negro College Fund, UNICEF USA, United Way, World Central Kitchen, GLSEN, Out and Equal, and Sage.
My take on Chase Freedom Flex Q4 2023 bonus categories
Everyone has different spending patterns. Personally I’ll probably pretty easily be able to max out the Q4 2023 bonus categories with PayPal, as many retailers accept PayPal, so that’s easy enough to do. I know many others will appreciate wholesale clubs being part of the 5x points category, since that makes up a large percentage of spending for many households.
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.
Chase has just opened registration for its Q4 2023 bonus categories. Those who register can earn 5x points with PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select charities, between October 1 and December 31, 2023, up to the $1,500 limit.
What do you make of the fourth quarter 2023 Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories?
I still hold this card although it is not as useful as it used to be. The catagories for the most part have become quite specific.
Costco in store doesn't accept Mastercards. Freedom Flex is a Mastercard. Womp womp.
This is mainly why I never converted my Freedom (Visa) to a Freedom Flex (MC). I advise others not to do so either if a Costco member...
Same here, I still have the Freedom.
Yes, i still have the freedom as well, but I also have two freedom flexes (one for me, one for wife). Just hard to maximize when I cant spend the two flexes in store. The tip about buying GCs online and then using them in store is helpful, though!
I think you can buy a Costco shop card using MA and then use it in-store