For October through December of 2025, the Chase Freedom Flex® card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 (then 1%) in combined purchases on Old Navy, Chase Travel and department stores. Purchases outside of bonus categories earn 1% cash back.
In December, purchases with PayPal will be included in the eligible categories, too. You’ll need to activate these bonus categories by Dec. 14, 2025, to qualify for the 5% cash back.
Read on for a closer look at these categories, including any restrictions on your purchases, and a guide to activating and redeeming your rewards.
Chase Freedom Flex® cash back calendar
| Q1: January–March | Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) Norwegian Cruise Lines® Fitness clubs and gym memberships Hair, nails and spa services Tax preparation and insurance (March only) |
| Q2: April–June | Amazon Select streaming purchases |
| Q3: July–September | Gas stations EV charging Select live entertainment Instacart |
| Q4: October–December | Old Navy Chase Travel Department stores PayPal (December only) |
A closer look at this quarter’s bonus categories
Old Navy
Old Navy purchases are defined as transactions made with the retailer both in store and online. But other Gap, Inc. brands aren’t included, so you won’t earn your 5% rate with Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta and other affiliated brands. Purchases made through “buy-now, pay-later” loan providers don’t qualify, either.
Chase Travel
The Chase Freedom Flex® card already earns 5% on Chase Travel purchases, so your rate in this category rises to 9% total cash back. If you’re looking to maximize your savings for this quarter, this category will provide the best value.
This category also includes purchases on prepaid bookings made through ChaseTravel.com or bookings made by calling the number on the back of your card.
Department stores
Chase defines department stores as merchants that “generally have multiple departments which sell apparel, home furnishings, furniture, electronics, cosmetics, housewares, and major household appliances.”
In other words, think large stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom, but not supercenters like Target or wholesale clubs like Costco. Online purchases at eligible stores will count, too.
PayPal (December only)
PayPal purchases include most transactions made via PayPal, but you won’t be able to stack rewards with purchases in another of this quarter’s 5% categories.
How to activate your bonus categories
To earn the 5% cash back rate, you’ll need to activate the bonus each quarter by the deadline specified on the Chase website (usually the middle of the last month of the quarter). As long as you activate by the deadline, you’ll be eligible for 5% cash back on qualifying purchases you made dating back to the beginning of the quarter.
The deadline to activate your 5% cash back for the fourth quarter is Dec. 14, 2025. You can do this on the Chase mobile app, by email, phone, online or at a physical Chase branch. And if you’re a Chase checking customer, you can activate at an ATM.
How to redeem your rewards
You’ll earn your rewards as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that can be redeemed in a number of different ways.
If you’re looking for simple cash back on your purchases, you can redeem your rewards for a statement credit or a direct deposit into a U.S. checking or savings account. To redeem, you’ll need to do so through your online account, calling the number on the back of your card, or visiting a physical Chase branch.
If you’d like another option, you can also redeem rewards for gift cards or with Chase Travel to book flights, hotels, car rentals and cruises.