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 a new quarter, Chase has just launched its Q2 2023 bonus categories, which allow you to earn 5x points on the first $1,500 spent in select categories over the coming months. So depending on your spending patterns, this could be a good time to switch out the cards in your wallet. Furthermore, 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 Q2 2023 bonus categories
For the second quarter of 2023, the Freedom Flex Card is offering 5x points on the first $1,500 spent with Amazon and Lowe’s. As far as key dates go:
- You need to register between March 15 and June 14, 2023
- If you register, you can earn 5x points between April 1 and June 30, 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 Q2 2023 bonus categories?
There’s often some confusion about what purchases qualify with the bonus categories. For Q2 2023 it’s fairly straightforward, though let me recap Chase’s definitions.
Here’s what’s included with the Amazon bonus category:
The Amazon.com category includes purchases made at Amazon.com (including digital downloads, Amazon.com Gift Cards, Amazon Fresh orders, Amazon Prime subscriptions, and items sold by thirdparty merchants through Amazon.com’s marketplace) and Whole Foods Market (including physical Whole Foods Market and Whole Foods Market 365 stores, and the website accessible at www.wholefoodsmarket.com).
Here’s what’s included with the Lowe’s bonus category:
Includes purchases made at Lowe’s physical stores and Lowes.com including a variety of goods and services provided by merchant.
My take on Chase Freedom Flex Q2 2023 bonus categories
Everyone has different spending patterns, though personally I’m a fan of the Q2 2023 bonus categories. Like many Americans, I do a lot of my shopping through Amazon, and I’ll easily be able to maximize the bonus with that alone.
Of course you can either add your Chase Freedom Flex to your Amazon account and use it for each purchase, or if you want to really make sure you’re maximizing your points, you can buy a $1,500 Amazon gift card, which you can then use over time.
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.
Now that it’s April, the Q2 2023 bonus categories have just launched. Those who register are able to earn 5x points with Amazon and Lowe’s between April 1 and June 30, 2023, up to the $1,500 limit. This seems like a quarter that should be easy for many to maximize.
What do you make of the second quarter 2023 Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories?
The categories have become worse in recent years. It used to be more general and therefore useful for more people. However, the categories recently tend to be specific toward specific retailers and conflict with other useful cards if you are routine customer (e.g. Amazon prime credit card).
Just get an Amazon prime get 5% all the time. Waste of time.
April fools :)))
Good quarter! We order quite a bit from Amazon plus Lowe's is a good one to have with the weather warming up and home projects becoming more prevalent. Also, Lowe's sells gift cards so that is a good way to rack up 5x points!
Gift cards bought at grocery stores are covered by the current 5x bonus - Amazon, Google Play (can be used for YouTube TV), Netflix, REI, etc...
It's ridiculous that they make you register for the bonuses every time. It should be automatic if you already have the card.
If you have the amazon credit card with a prime membership you get 5% cash on your amazon purchases already, so this is an overlap. This card has become less useful in recent years with categories being less general or relating to specific retailers.
5x UR points is worth a lot more than 5%.
I have the ink cash card, already get 5x at Amazon via Staples gift cards.
At most, This saves me a trip to staples.
Ink is no fee, surprised lucky doesn’t have one ( or is excited by avoiding the trip to staples)).
I’ve got a planned purchase at Lowe’s and then I’ll just load the wife’s Amazon account with the remainder. Pretty easy. I wish the limits were higher than $1500.
Have your wife get a card and your limit becomes $3000. You can also get a referral bonus signing her up.
But it has to be that she has her own card and not an authorized user
You should try the Amazon credit card from Chase that gives 5% cash if you have a prime membership. It's easy to have a greater return than the membership cost.
Ink already covers all of Amazon purchases, I guess I’ll just get a few points for spending at Lowe’s
Not as useful as past quarterly categories. I for one will put the card away for the quarter.
Back to the sock drawer.
Does Lowe's sell $500 VGCs?