Last updated on March 8th, 2023
Chase has announced the Q4 2021 5% cash back categories for two of its most popular credit cards, the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom. From October through December 31, cardmembers can earn up to $1,500 in cash back rewards using their cards for PayPal purchases and in-store purchases at Walmart.
Chase Freedom 5% Back Rotating Categories for Q4 Now Live
The Chase Freedom 5% cash back categories for October through December 2021 are now live. The new categories for Q4 2021 for Freedom and Freedom Flex cardmembers are PayPal and purchases at Walmart stores.
Cardmembers earn 5% back on the first $1,500 in combined spending at Walmart and PayPal. These purchases are subject to applicable MCC merchant codes and payment methods. Please refer to the 5% Cash Back Calendar below or the Chase website for a complete list of Chase terms and conditions.
Here is the final 2021 Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back Calendar:
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.
PayPal and 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
Alleviating “Holiday High-Spend Anxiety”
Chase states that the new categories are designed to help alleviate some of the stress of that holiday high-spend anxiety, and it is easy to see why. Walmart is one of the nation’s leading retailers, offering an expansive selection of goods, including groceries, electronics, clothing, and more. And with over 4,700 Walmart locations in the US alone, there is sure to be a Walmart nearby to help Chase Freedom cardholders maximize their rewards.
PayPal is another excellent category as it offers a broad selection of purchasing options. PayPal is one of the most popular mobile wallet platforms available, allowing cardholders to make purchases in-store and online with thousands of retailers.
About the Chase Freedom Flex
The Freedom Flex is Chase’s premier cash back credit card, offering up to 5% back on rotating categories. The card also provides exceptional value in other non-rotating categories, however. Cardmembers also enjoy impressive rewards in the following categories:
- 5% cash back on eligible grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year
- 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1% back on all other purchases
Chase Freedom (no longer accepting new applicants) and Freedom Flex cardmembers also enjoy 25% more value when making donations to a dozen charitable organizations through the Chase Pay Yourself Back Program.
Related Article: Chase, Discover, & ABOC 2021 5% Cash Back Calendars
