Get ready for rewards: Chase FreedomFlex® (See Rates and Fees) or Legacy Chase Freedom* can unlock 5% cashback (or 5 points per dollar) via ChaseTravel℠, department stores, old navy and favorite PayPal.
You can activate these categories immediately and get rewards in these categories starting in early October. Once activated, you will earn 5% return 5% of the total expenditure except PayPal from October 1 to December 31 (and then return 1%). PayPal is only available in December.
Here’s what you need to know about the category for the quarter.
*This card is no longer applicable to new applicants. Chase Freedom information has been collected independently by Goint Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Freedom Q4 2025 Category
From October 1 to December 31, Free and Free elasticity Cardholders will receive a 5% cashback (or 5 points per dollar) of combined purchases for up to $1,500 in these combined purchases for the fourth quarter bonus category (and then 1%):
- Chase Travel (9% cash back for free card holders; 5% for free card holders)
- department store
- Old Navy
In December, cardholders will earn 5% bonus cash on PayPal.
PayPal has made its sixth straight quarterly return, while department stores have appeared for the first time in six years, with the Old Navy making its debut.
Chase Travel has also had a new twist: unlike last year’s hotel-only promotion, all Chase travel bookings (including flights, hotels, car rentals and attractions) are eligible this time. Free Flex cardholders will receive a 9% return, according to a Chase spokesperson, as the card’s standard 5% Chase Travel rate stack has a 4% bonus per quarter.
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As mentioned above, you can now activate the category for the quarter to unlock its bonus potential and then spend on October 1 to earn rewards.
It’s easy to complete this process with your chase account; just provide your last name, the last four digits of the card, and the postal code.
Analysis of Q4 Bonus Category
Obviously, these categories are designed with holiday travel and shopping in mind. Between visiting loved ones, picking up gifts and even treating yourself, your spending can add up quickly – so earning 5% cashback on many purchases can help you get some stinging from your budget.
Here are the details:
- Chase Travel: If you are going to town to meet friends or family – or consider giving away a trip – booking by chasing a trip can be a good move. Please note that booking through an online travel agency such as Chase Travel may mean missing out on hotel points and elite status allowances.
- department store: Department stores don’t often list bonus lists, so it’s a nice inclusion. Chase said the Supercenter doesn’t count, so buying in a place like Walmart may not receive a reward.
- Old Navy: Whether you are shopping online or in-store, your old naval purchase will be eligible. Picking up something for yourself while shopping for others can be a good excuse.
- PayPal (December only): Many online retailers offer PayPal at checkout, which you can even use for certain utility bills. Just make sure your free card is set as the preferred payment method in PayPal, remember to switch items again in January.
Remember that Chase limits you to earn 5% cashback (or 5 points per dollar), you can earn $1,500 in the combined bonus category every quarter, and you can activate the bonus. Once you reach your maximum, you will earn a 1% return on these purchases (or 1 point per dollar).
Chase Free Spin Category History
| Year | One quarter | Reward category |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Q4 |
|
| Q3 | Gasoline and electric vehicle charging stations, Instacart and Select Live Entertainment | |
| Q2 |
|
|
| Q1 |
|
|
| 2024 | Q4 | McDonalds (Free Flex Carddolders for Freedom flex cardholders increase cashback 7%), Paypal, pet shops and veterinary services, and choose charity |
| Q3 | Gasoline and electric car charging stations, cinemas and choose live entertainment performances | |
| Q2 | Hotels booked through ChaseTravel℠, Dining and Amazon (different revenue rates, 9%, 7%, and 5%, respectively, free elasticity; 5% of all three categories of free) | |
| Q1 | Choose from grocery stores, fitness clubs and gym memberships as well as self-care and spa services | |
| 2023 | Q4 | Paypal, Choice of Charities and Wholesale Clubs |
| Q3 | Gasoline and electric vehicle charging stations, choose live entertainment | |
| Q2 | Amazon and Laur | |
| Q1 | Grocery stores, gym members and fitness clubs and Target | |
| 2022 | Q4 | PayPal and Walmart |
| Q3 | Gas stations, car rentals, cinemas and select live entertainment | |
| Q2 | Amazon and Select Streaming Services | |
| Q1 | Grocery Stores and eBay | |
| 2021 | Q4 | PayPal and Walmart |
| Q3 | Grocery Store and Select Streaming Services | |
| Q2 | Gas stations and home decoration stores | |
| Q1 | Wholesale Club, Featured Streaming Services and Internet, Wired and Telephone Services | |
| 2020 | Q4 | PayPal and Walmart |
| Q3 | Amazon and Whole Foods Market | |
| Q2 | Grocery stores, gym memberships and fitness clubs, and featured streaming services | |
| Q1 | Gas station, internet, cable and telephone services, and select streaming services | |
| 2019 | Q4 | Chase Salary, PayPal and Department Stores |
| Q3 | Gas station and select flow services | |
| Q2 | Grocery and home renovations | |
| Q1 | Gas stations, pharmacies and tolls | |
| 2018 | Q4 | Wholesale Clubs, Department Stores and Chase Salary |
| Q3 | Lyft, Walgreens and gas stations | |
| Q2 | Groceries, PayPal and Chase Pay | |
| Q1 | Mobile wallet, gas station and internet, cable and telephone service provider | |
| 2017 | Q4 | Walmart and department stores |
| Q3 | Restaurants and movie theaters | |
| Q2 | Grocery and drug stores | |
| Q1 | Gas stations and local commuter transportation | |
| 2016 | Q4 | Wholesale clubs, pharmacies and department stores |
| Q3 | Restaurants and wholesale clubs | |
| Q2 | Grocery and wholesale clubs | |
| Q1 | Gas stations and local commuter transportation | |
| 2015 | Q4 | Amazon, Zappos, Audible and Diapers.com |
| Q3 | Gas station and Cole | |
| Q2 | Restaurants, bed baths and beyond, H&M and accumulation | |
| Q1 | Grocery stores, movie theaters and Starbucks | |
| 2014 | Q4 | Amazon, Zappos and department stores |
| Q3 | Gas station and Cole | |
| Q2 | Restaurants and labor | |
| Q1 | Gas stations, cinemas and Starbucks |
Chase Freedom Bonus Category FAQ
How does the rotation category work?
Chase announces a set of bonus categories each quarter that will receive a 5% cashback (or 5 points per dollar) over the upcoming three months (total spending up to $1,500 per quarter).
Typically, these categories are announced in a month before the new quarter begins to give card members pre-activate new categories. However, you can activate the category in the middle of the last month of the quarter.
Categories tend to be repeated regularly. For example, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations are common categories that you often pop up on your bonus calendar. So, depending on the category and whether they can be maximized, these two cards can offer pretty decent cashbacks or bonus points over the year.
How much money can I make every quarter?
Chase limits 5% cashback (or 5 points per dollar) to the first $1,500 spent on the quarterly shared bonus category, and you can activate the bonus.
While it may not sound like a lot, over time, cashing back will add up. Maximize the cash backpack category every quarter and you will earn $75 in cash back every quarter for up to $300 per year. This is valuable for a not-small credit card.
Also, let’s say you have a card that earns the ultimate reward points for transferable chase Chase Sapphire Priority® Card (See rates and fees). In this case you can combine chasing freedom or Free elasticity With the cards you earn from better quality ultimate reward cards. By doing so, your reward becomes completely transferable.
If you follow this method, your $300 bonus cashback will be 30,000 ultimate bonus points. TPG’s June 2025 valuation PEG Chase points are 2.05 cents, allowing you to earn 30,000 points in a year, worth $615.
How do I activate my 5% category quarterly?
You can head to Chase’s website to activate the 5% cashback (or 5 points per dollar) category for the quarter. You can also register through the Chase mobile app.
Here is how to register:
1. Go to the Chase Bonus Activation page, or log in to your Chase account.
2. Enter your last name, the last four digits of your card number, and the billing postal code. If you don’t have a card on hand, log in to your Chase account to retrieve these numbers.
3. Click Activate 5% to register.
4. If you have multiple chase free cards, make sure to register each card.
5. In case of any future problems, keep the screenshot of activation, although you should also receive a confirmation email with “You are activated!”
Can I gain both the buckling of chasing freedom and the pursuit of freedom to double my income potential?
Yes, you can have these two cards. So if you already have the freedom to chase and want to add the elasticity of chase to your wallet, you are free to do so.
Remember that the original free card is no longer open to new applicants. However, if you want to have only one, you can provide free resilience as a product change.
Of course, you also need to make sure you qualify for a new chase card.
How to maximize freedom and free elastic cards?
The most important thing is to activate your card to earn 5% cashback (or 5 points per dollar) quarterly in a specific category and then use your card for purchases in those categories.
You can set a recurring reminder in your calendar or sign up for a TPG newsletter. (We send reminders when activations are quarterly, and tips and tricks on how to maximize your card strategy and get some great reward redemption.)
In addition to the Spin Bonus category, Freedom Flex can also receive 5% cash back on all other trips booked through Chase Travel, return 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, 3% cash back on catering (including qualified delivery services) and 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Even better, when paired with a Chase credit card, the credit card receives the ultimate reward points that are fully transferable, e.g. Chase SapphireReserve® (See rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire’s first choiceChase Freedom Flex’s 5% cashback effectively becomes the 5 ultimate bonus points per dollar. You can learn all this about “Chasing Trifecta” in our guide.
Bottom line
If you are chasing freedom or Free elasticity Cardholder, you will earn 5% cash back (or spend 5 points) on Chase Travel, department stores and the Old Navy from October 1 to December 31.
You can now activate these categories. Remember, Chase limits revenue in your quarterly bonus category to the top 1,500 of total spend per quarter.
To learn more, read our full review of Chase Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chasing for freedom and flexibility
