Chase Freedom Flex® 5% cash back categories for July through September 2025

Written by: Brad Hanson
• Updated •3 min read
This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
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This offer is no longer available on our site: Chase Freedom Flex℠

For July through September of 2025, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 (then 1%) in combined purchases on including any restrictions on your purchases.

You’ll need to activate these bonus categories by Sept. 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-MarchQ2: April-JuneQ3: July-SeptemberQ4: October-December
2025
  • 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)
  • Amazon
  • Select streaming purchases
  • Gas stations
  • EV charging
  • Select live entertainment
  • Instacart
    • TBD
    2024
    • Grocery stores
    • Fitness clubs and gym memberships
    • Self-care and spa services
    • Hotels booked directly with the hotel
    • Restaurants
    • Amazon.com
    • Select live entertainment
    • Movie theaters
    • Gas stations and EV charging
    • McDonald’s
    • PayPal
    • Pet shops and vet services
    • Select charities

    A closer look at this quarter’s bonus categories

    Gas stations

    Chase defines gas stations as locations that “specialize in selling automotive gasoline” at the pump or inside the station, so not all fueling locations will qualify. Locations that don’t qualify include truck stops, boat marinas, and oil and propane distributors.

    EV charging

    EV charging includes locations that specialize in this service, so you might not earn the 5% rate at charging stations located in parking garages or other businesses. 

    Select live entertainment

    “Select” restrictions often apply only to particular brands or stores, but this category is actually quite broad.

    Live entertainment includes many kinds of activities, including tickets for major sporting events, concerts, museums, amusement parks and zoos.

    Instacart

    You’ll earn the 5% rewards rate on purchases made directly through Instacart. Restaurant transactions through Instacart aren’t eligible.

    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 third quarter is Sept. 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.

    About the author: Brad Hanson is a senior editor at Credit Karma. His 30 years of experience in print and digital media includes work for the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service, Trucks.com and Polyvore. Most recently before… Read more.