The Chase Freedom Flex’s Newest Rewards Categories Are Weird

Chase recently announced the latest categories for the Chase Freedom Flex®*, which are active through December. However, they might not be the categories most people expected for the holidays. 

Instead, cardholders (after activating) will earn 5% cash back (on the first $1,500 spent quarterly in combined purchases in bonus categories, then 1%) at McDonald’s, at PayPal, at pet shops and vet services, and with select charities.

You can activate these categories in your online account until Dec. 14, and you can earn retroactive rewards for any eligible purchases you’ve made so long as you activate by then.

The Freedom Flex earns plenty of rewards

The Freedom Flex’s rewards reach far and wide, boasting not just categories that rotate each quarter but also static rewards covering dining, drug stores and travel booked through Chase Travel℠.

The card also features an introductory purchase and balance transfer APR and a nice collection of additional card perks including useful shopping and travel protections like purchase protection, cellphone protection and travel insurances such as auto rental collision coverage, trip cancellation insurance, and travel and emergency assistance services.

Considering the Freedom Flex doesn’t charge an annual fee, it’s an attractive offering, even if this round of reward categories doesn’t cover expected November and December expenses that some cardholders might’ve been expecting.

The Chase Freedom Flex rotates categories every quarter. Check out our review above to learn more.