Last updated on March 8th, 2023
Chase has announced the Q3 5% cash back categories for two of its most popular credit cards, the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom (no longer open to new applicants). Starting July 1 through September 30, cardmembers can earn up to $1,500 in cash back rewards using their cards for select streaming services and eligible grocery store purchases.
Chase Announces Freedom Flex Q3 Cash Back Categories
The Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Cards are two of the most popular cash back rewards cards on the market. Both cards offer 5% back on a rotating selection of quarterly categories, which Chase has just updated for the summer of 2021.
Chase has added streaming services and groceries to the third quarter of its 2021 5% cash back calendar. Eligible Chase cardholders earn 5% back on select streaming services (i.e., those that fall under the applicable MCC codes. Examples of select streaming services include Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Netflix, Sling, Vudu, Fubo TV, Apple Music, SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube TV.
Additionally, cardholders earn 5% back on grocery store purchases. Keep in mind, however, that not all grocery purchases earn 5% cash back. For example, box stores like Walmart and Target are not applicable for the 5% cash back category. Other merchants that will not qualify as a “grocery store” include warehouse clubs, discount stores, some smaller merchants such as drugstores, and merchants specializing in only a few grocery items – such as pastry shops.
Chase 2021 Cash Back Calendar
Here is the 2021 Cash Back Calendar to date:
Wholesale clubs, select streaming services, and phone, internet, & cable service providers.
Applies to the first $1,500 in purchases at standalone wholesale clubs, such as Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s, or select streaming services (including Pandora, Netflix, Hulu, Sling, Vudu, Spotify, Apple Music, and more), internet, cable, and phone services.
Official terms: Merchants who accept Visa/Mastercard credit cards are assigned a merchant code, which is determined by the merchant or its processor in accordance with Visa/Mastercard procedures based on the kinds of products and services they primarily sell. We group similar merchant codes into categories for purposes of making rewards offers to you. Please note: We make every effort to include all relevant merchant codes in our rewards categories. However, even though a merchant or some of the items that it sells may appear to fit within a rewards category, the merchant may not have a merchant code in that category. When this occurs, purchases with that merchant won’t qualify for rewards offers on purchases in that category. Purchases submitted by you, an authorized user, or the merchant through third-party payment accounts, mobile or wireless card readers, online or mobile digital wallets, or similar technology will not qualify in a rewards category if the technology is not set up to process the purchase in that rewards category.
Gas stations and home improvement store purchases
Applies to the first $1,500 in purchases at eligible merchants.
Official terms: Merchants who accept Visa/Mastercard credit cards are assigned a merchant code, which is determined by the merchant or its processor in accordance with Visa/Mastercard procedures based on the kinds of products and services they primarily sell. We group similar merchant codes into categories for purposes of making rewards offers to you. Please note: We make every effort to include all relevant merchant codes in our rewards categories. However, even though a merchant or some of the items that it sells may appear to fit within a rewards category, the merchant may not have a merchant code in that category. When this occurs, purchases with that merchant won’t qualify for rewards offers on purchases in that category. Purchases submitted by you, an authorized user, or the merchant through third-party payment accounts, mobile or wireless card readers, online or mobile digital wallets, or similar technology will not qualify in a rewards category if the technology is not set up to process the purchase in that rewards category.
Select streaming services and grocery stores (excluding larger stores like Target or Walmart)
Applies to the first $1,500 in purchases at eligible merchants.
Official terms: Merchants who accept Visa/Mastercard credit cards are assigned a merchant code, which is determined by the merchant or its processor in accordance with Visa/Mastercard procedures based on the kinds of products and services they primarily sell. We group similar merchant codes into categories for purposes of making rewards offers to you. Please note: We make every effort to include all relevant merchant codes in our rewards categories. However, even though a merchant or some of the items that it sells may appear to fit within a rewards category, the merchant may not have a merchant code in that category. When this occurs, purchases with that merchant won’t qualify for rewards offers on purchases in that category. Purchases submitted by you, an authorized user, or the merchant through third-party payment accounts, mobile or wireless card readers, online or mobile digital wallets, or similar technology will not qualify in a rewards category if the technology is not set up to process the purchase in that rewards category.
TBD
Chase Also Extending Pay Yourself Back
Chase is also extending their popular Pay Yourself Back program through Summer 2021. Starting July 2, eligible Chase cardholders (including the Freedom, Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, and Freedom Student Card) can opt to apply Ultimate Rewards points to pay for all or a portion of their dining purchases up to a total of $250 and get paid back with statement credit through the Pay Yourself Back tool in the Chase Mobile App and online. Specifically, Ultimate Rewards points will be worth 10% more when redeemed for up to $250 in dining purchases through September 30, 2021.
About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.7 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves nearly half of America’s households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans, and payment processing.
Related Article: Chase, Discover, & ABOC 2021 5% Cash Back Calendars
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