Chase officially announced its Q3 2026 cash-back categories for the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom® (no longer accepting new applicants).
Cardholders can activate these bonus cash-back categories up until June 14, 2026, and earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in quarterly spending (then 1%).
Below, CNBC Select shares the cash-back calendar for Q2 and Q3 of 2026, plus a look back at 2025 categories. We also offer tips on how to use a 5% cash-back card to your advantage.
The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent cash-back card with generous rotating quarterly categories. In additional the rewards, you also can take advantage of the intro APRs for purchases and balance transfer for more than a year.
- Long intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
- Rewarding quarterly bonus categories
- No annual fee
- Bonus categories are capped each quarter
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Rewards
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%)
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Chase Freedom cash-back calendar for 2026
Chase has announced its 5% cash-back categories for the third quarter of 2026, and the activation window is officially open. As long as you activate by Sept. 14, 2026, though, you can earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined bonus category spending for the quarter (then 1%).
- Q1 - January through March: Norwegian Cruise Line®; dining; American Heart Association®
- Q2 - April through June: Amazon; Chase Travel℠; Feeding America®
- Q3 - July through September: Gas stations and EV charging; public transit; select live entertainment; United Way
Chase Freedom cash-back calendar for 2025
Though we don't yet know the full state of Chase Freedom cash-back categories for 2026, reviewing 2025's lineup could provide insight into potential categories:
- Q1 - January through March: Grocery stores; fitness clubs and gym memberships; hair, nails and spa services; Norwegian Cruise Lines
- Q2 - April through June: Amazon purchases; select streaming services
- Q3 - July through September: Instacart; gas stations; EV charging; select live entertainment
- Q4 - October through December: Chase Travel℠; department stores; Old Navy; PayPal
Pro tip: Pair your Freedom card with a Chase bank account
Chase Total Checking®
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Minimum balance to open
$0
Monthly service fee
$12 ($15, effective August 24, 2025) or $0 with one of the following, each monthly statement period: Electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, such as payments from payroll providers or government benefit providers, by using (i) the ACH network, (ii) the Real Time Payment or FedNowSM network, (iii) third party services that facilitate payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network, OR a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in this account, OR an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances.
Free ATM network
With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
ATM fee reimbursement
None
Overdraft fee
$34
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
Information about Chase Total Checking® has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
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How 5% cash-back credit cards work
To earn 5% cash back, you must activate your Chase Freedom card's bonus categories each quarter. Once you activate, you can start earning 5% cash back. Chase lets you save activation reminders to your calendar and set up email alerts. You can also activate the bonus categories by clicking here and entering your last name, the last four digits of your card number and your ZIP code.
If you want to participate in the rotating 5% categories that Chase offers, you'll need to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex, as the Chase Freedom® is no longer available for new applications. The Freedom Flex ranks as one of the best cash-back cards with no annual fee and earns cardholders 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstores and 1% on all other purchases.
Pro tip: Although marketed as a cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Flex technically earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that you can redeem for cash back. If you own another card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards® points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you can pool and transfer your points to Chase airline and hotel partners.
Is Chase's 5% cash back unlimited?
There are limits to how much spending qualifies for 5% cash back each quarter. After you spend a combined $1,500 in the bonus categories, the cash-back rate drops to 1%. This maximum spending requirement resets every quarter.
All other purchases made outside the bonus categories automatically earn 1% cash back. If you're looking to maximize the points you earn, we suggest using an alternative cash back or rewards credit card for spending outside the bonus categories. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees), for example, earns at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases and, like the Freedom Flex, technically earns Ultimate Rewards® points.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus. Plus, if you pair it with a premium Chase credit card that allows point transfers, you can convert your cash back into flexible travel rewards.
- Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
- Purchases and balance transfers receive an intro APR
- No annual fee
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Another 5% cash-back card to consider
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a no-annual-fee rewards card that earns 5% cash back on a number of categories per quarter — and you get to pick your own categories.
You can select two categories out of the 12 available options and earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases. You can also pick one of three categories (grocery stores, gas stations or restaurants) and earn an unlimited 2% cash back. The card earns 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
- Rewarding and versatile quarterly bonus categories
- Generous intro-APR offer
- Quarterly limits on the card's top bonus spending categories
- No statement credit offers or other ongoing benefits outside of the cash rewards
FAQs
When does Chase announce the Freedom bonus categories?
Chase announces its rotating 5% bonus categories one at a time, shortly before the new quarter begins.
How much can I earn with the Freedom bonus categories?
The Chase Freedom 5% cash-back bonus is limited to $1,500 in combined spending per quarter, meaning you can earn up to $75 in cash back quarterly — and up to $300 annually.
Does the Chase Freedom Unlimited® have a 5% cash back category?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) does not offer rotating 5% cash back categories but earns an unlimited 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel. It also earns 3% back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
What is the Chase 5/24 rule?
The Chase 5/24 rule is an unofficial policy that makes it harder to get approved for a Chase credit card. If you've opened five or more personal credit cards from any card issuer within the past 24 months, you may not be approved for a new Chase credit card.
Do Chase cash back rewards expire?
No, any cash back rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you earn do not expire as long as you keep your credit card account open and in good standing.
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The Chase Freedom® is not currently available to new cardholders. Please visit our list of the best cash back cards for alternative options.
Information about the Chase Freedom®, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card and Chase Total Checking® has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
