Chase Freedom & Flex 5% Categories, Q1 2021: Wholesale Clubs; Streaming; Cable, Internet and Phone

Erin Hurd
By Erin Hurd 
Published
Edited by Kenley Young

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The 2021 first-quarter bonus categories for the Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ will cover a range of spending on stay-at-home activities and household essentials.

Chase Freedom Flex
NerdWallet rating 

From Jan. 1 through March 31, 2021, cardholders will earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending on:

  • Wholesale clubs (like Sam’s Club, Costco and BJ’s).

  • Cable, internet and phone services.

  • Select streaming services (including Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Netflix, Sling, Vudu, Fubo TV, Apple Music, SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube TV).

You must activate the categories online or in the Chase app in order to receive the 5% rewards. You have until the 14th day on the last month of the quarter to activate, and rewards are retroactive.

For the Chase Freedom®, all other purchases earn 1% back. But those who hold the Chase Freedom Flex℠ will also earn:

  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

  • 3% back at restaurants.

  • 3% back at drugstores.

  • 1% back on all other non-bonus-category purchases.

Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex℠* bonus rewards categories for 2021

Q1 (Jan. 1 - March 31)

• Wholesale clubs. • Select streaming services. • Internet, cable and phone services.

Q2 (April 1 - June 30)

• Gas stations. • Home improvement stores.

Q3 (July 1 - Sept. 30)

• Grocery stores. • Select streaming services.

Q4 (Oct. 1 - Dec. 31)

• TBD

The Chase Freedom® was closed to new applicants in September 2020, but existing cardholders can still earn the above rewards.

🤓Nerdy Tip

The original Chase Freedom® is a Visa, but the new Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a Mastercard. Wholesale club Costco only takes Visa credit cards, so you won’t be able to use a Chase Freedom Flex℠ at Costco for the 5% bonus rewards.

Bonus categories for Q1 2021 are similar to what the Freedom offered in Q1 2020, except that wholesale clubs have replaced gas stations on the calendar.

“As we head into 2021, many cardmembers continue to spend a lot of time at home, which is why we tailored the categories to provide value for ‘stay-at-home’ purchases,” said BJ Mahoney, general manager of Chase Freedom, in a news release.

Information about the Chase Freedom® has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Chase Cards from our Partners
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-6.5%

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

$300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Points
Chase Freedom Flex

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Flex℠
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1%-5%

Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

See more Chase cards

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