Chase’s 5% Bonus Categories for Q4 2023: PayPal, Wholesale Clubs, Select Charities
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As the holiday season approaches, Chase is encouraging cardholders to embrace a spirit of giving through its just-announced 5% bonus categories for Q4 of 2023.
From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023, holders of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card or the legacy Chase Freedom® card can earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined spending through PayPal and on wholesale club purchases, as well as on donations to select charities. All other non-bonus-category spending earns 1% back.
To be eligible, cardholders must activate the bonus categories online by Dec. 14, 2023. Bonus rewards can be earned retroactively, as long as you meet that deadline.
What to know about Chase’s Q4 2023 bonus categories
While PayPal is a regular on Chase’s bonus category calendar, the other two categories mark a departure from recent years. The “select charities” category is a brand-new addition to the lineup, and wholesale clubs make their first appearance since Q1 2021. Here's a look at the full 2023 calendar:
Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ bonus rewards categories for 2023 | |
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Q1 (Jan. 1-March 31) |
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Q2 (April 1-June 30) |
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Q3 (July 1-Sept. 30) |
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Q4 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31) |
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Here are more details from Chase about how cardholders can maximize their cash back.
PayPal
A fan favorite among holiday shoppers, this category opens up a lot of options for bonus cash back, since it applies to any online or in-store retailer, large or small, that offers PayPal as an option at checkout. That means cardholders can shop small for the holiday season without missing out on rewards.
As in previous years, customers can’t double-dip by combining this reward with other bonus categories. For example, wholesale club purchases made using PayPal are eligible to earn only up to 5% back.
Wholesale clubs
A timely opportunity for shoppers stocking up on holiday decor, gifts, party supplies and more, this category applies to both in-warehouse and online purchases at wholesale clubs like Sam’s, BJ’s, and more. However, it doesn’t include gas or other specialty services like cell phone plans, home improvement services, travel packages or insurance.
Costco members, take note: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a Mastercard, meaning it isn't accepted inside Costco warehouses. However, the bonus rate does apply on purchases made through the Costco website.
Select charities
Amid the holiday bustle, Chase is taking an extra step this year to reward cardholders who choose to support others in need. This new bonus category applies to donations made using your qualifying Chase card to one of the issuer’s preapproved charitable organizations:
Though some organizations may add a small fee to cover the cost of donations made by credit card, this bonus category can help cardholders offset that cost. » MORE: How to donate credit card rewards to charity
Details: Chase Freedom Flex℠
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 20.49%-29.24%, Variable APR.
Sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
In addition to the quarterly calendar of rotating 5% bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a number of additional year-round rewards. These include:
5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery services.
3% back on drugstore purchases.
For all cardholders, through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.
1% on all other purchases.
The Chase Freedom® card is no longer available to new applicants. However, for existing users, the same bonus calendar and terms above still apply.
Information related to the Chase Freedom® card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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