How to Optimize Chase Freedom, Discover it for Q4 2018

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You’re about to spend money on Secret Santa exchanges, office potluck contributions and ugly Christmas sweaters (will that trend ever die?), so you might as well earn 5% cash back for your efforts.

Both the Chase Freedom® and eligible Discover cards like the Discover it® Cash Back are ideal for your holiday spending, thanks to their bonus categories for the fourth quarter of 2018.

From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018, Chase Freedom® cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly spending at department stores, wholesale clubs and via Chase Pay (1% back on everything else). And eligible Discover cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly spending at wholesale clubs and Amazon.com (1% back on everything else). Both cards require activation of bonus categories.

Here’s how to put those categories to work for you:

Embrace your mobile wallet

This time of year, earning 5% cash back at department stores and wholesale clubs means that your spending on holiday gifts, decor and food will be extra rewarding. But the addition of Chase Pay as one of the bonus categories for the Chase Freedom® increases your flexibility, and in some cases allows you to earn even more.

On its own, Chase Pay is accepted at a variety of online and brick-and-mortar stores, including fast-casual restaurants and large retailers like Best Buy and Walmart.com. But thanks to some crucial partnerships, there are many more ways to use Chase Pay that count toward the Chase Freedom® quarterly bonus.

Samsung Pay

If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone that’s compatible with the Samsung Pay wallet feature, you can link Chase Pay to it and use it anywhere Samsung Pay is accepted.

Whenever you use Samsung Pay, you earn rewards points you can redeem for gift cards and other items. This is separate from the 5% cash back you earn via the Chase Freedom®, so it essentially allows you to be rewarded in two programs at once.

Shell gas stations

Chase Pay and Shell have partnered, allowing you to earn rewards in two different ways if you also sign up for Shell's Fuel Rewards program. Here's how it works:

Add your Shell loyalty card number or ID to your Chase Pay app. Then, when you use Chase Pay at a Shell station, you can earn the Chase Freedom® 5% bonus this quarter plus a one-time discount of 35 cents per gallon after your first 5-gallon fill-up (limit 20 gallons). Terms apply. This offer lasts until Dec. 31, 2018. You'll also earn discounts through the Fuel Rewards program every time you pay for gas or spend money at participating retailers and restaurants. You can redeem accumulated rewards at the pump.

ShopRite grocery stores

Using Chase Pay with your Chase Freedom® card at ShopRite, a grocery store chain with locations in the Northeast, will earn you extra cash back through Oct. 31, 2018.

This bonus pays out 5% cash back on up to $400 in ShopRite purchases, on top of the 5% cash back for up to $1,500 in purchases through Chase. Combined, that’s 10% cash back on your grocery bill this month. If you’ve already reached the $1,500 limit, you’ll receive 6% cash back on up to $400 instead.

How to sign up for Chase Pay

If you’re new to Chase Pay, download the app and sign in using your Chase online account credentials. Your eligible Chase credit cards will load automatically, so you just need to make sure you choose the Chase Freedom® for all purchases. Online desktop purchases don't require an app; choose the Chase Pay option at checkout, sign in using your account credentials and select the Chase card you want to use.

Double your cash-back rewards

If you’re a new user of an eligible Discover card like the Discover it® Cash Back, don’t forget about the unique and potentially lucrative bonus, which Discover phrases this way: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.

If you're still in your first year of using your eligible Discover card, that effectively doubles your 5% cash-back rate on bonus categories (up to the quarterly cap).

Automate your Amazon purchases

Remember to make your eligible Discover card the default payment option on your Amazon account so you don’t miss out on 5% cash back by checking out too quickly with the wrong card.

Stock up on gift cards

Two words for the hard-to-please people on your holiday shopping list: gift cards.

The Chase Freedom® and Discover 5% bonus categories include purchases of gift cards made at eligible stores. (Sam’s Club members, you can use gift cards to that store at Walmart as well.)

This is a helpful trick if you don’t need to purchase anything right now, but you know you’ll be spending money later at these stores. Front-load the cost of a gift card to use in the future so you can get the bonus now.

Don't forget

You must activate the bonus categories for both the Chase Freedom® and eligible Discover cards to receive 5% cash back on qualifying fourth-quarter spending.

For new Chase Freedom® card members: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.