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Chase’s bonus categories for the third quarter of 2026 can save you money on your summer travels.
From July 1 through Sept. 30, 2026, holders of the Chase Freedom Flex® and the legacy Chase Freedom® can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending on gas stations and electric vehicle charging; public transit; live entertainment; and donations to United Way. Activation is required; all other non-bonus-category spending earns 1% back.
You must activate this quarter’s categories by Sept. 14, 2026. As long as you activate by that date, you can earn rewards retroactively.
A closer look at this quarter’s bonus categories
Gas stations and EV charging
This popular category is a mainstay on Chase's bonus calendars and has been offered in the third quarters of the past three years.
Note that for the gas category, purchases made at truck stops, boat marinas, oil and propane distributors and home heating companies will not earn 5% back. Additionally, residential EV charging and charging equipment purchases will not earn bonus rewards.
Public transit
Eligible transit purchases include trains, buses, parking lots and garages, toll bridges and highways, and ferries. However, cardholders will not earn 5% back on travel-related spending done with airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, cruise lines, bike or scooter rentals, car sharing or rideshares like Lyft or Uber.
Live entertainment
To earn bonus rewards on live entertainment purchases, you must use your eligible Chase card to pay for things like concerts, major sporting events, zoos, amusement parks, museums, tourist attractions, exhibits and carnivals.
Chase has offered this bonus category in the same quarter since 2022.
Donations to the United Way
United Way is a nonprofit organization with local chapters across the country. For the third quarter of 2026, Chase Freedom cardholders can earn bonus rewards when they make donations to the organization. Note that donations must be made through United Way’s official channels to earn bonus rewards and that some local chapters may not be eligible for the higher rate.
Here’s what Chase has offered so far in 2026:
| Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex® bonus rewards categories for 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan. 1-March 31) |
| |
| Q2 (April 1-June 30) |
| |
| Q3 (July 1-Sept. 30) |
| |
| Q4 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31) | TBD. (In 2025: Chase Travel℠; department stores; Old Navy. December only: PayPal.) | |
Information related to the Chase Freedom® credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
