The Chase Freedom Flex's Newest Rewards Categories Are Weird

Chase recently announced the latest categories for the Chase Freedom Flex®*, which are active through December. However, they might not be the categories most people expected for the holidays. 

Instead, cardholders (after activating) will earn 5% cash back (on the first $1,500 spent quarterly in combined purchases in bonus categories, then 1%) at McDonald's, at PayPal, at pet shops and vet services, and with select charities.

You can activate these categories in your online account until Dec. 14, and you can earn retroactive rewards for any eligible purchases you've made so long as you activate by then.

The Freedom Flex earns plenty of rewards

The Freedom Flex's rewards reach far and wide, boasting not just categories that rotate each quarter but also static rewards covering dining, drug stores and travel booked through Chase Travel℠.

The card also features an introductory purchase and balance transfer APR and a nice collection of additional card perks including useful shopping and travel protections like purchase protection, cellphone protection and travel insurances such as auto rental collision coverage, trip cancellation insurance, and travel and emergency assistance services.

Considering the Freedom Flex doesn't charge an annual fee, it's an attractive offering, even if this round of reward categories doesn't cover expected November and December expenses that some cardholders might've been expecting.

Chase

The Chase Freedom Flex rotates categories every quarter. Check out our review above to learn more.

The latest categories

The newest rotating categories are an eclectic mix. It's hard to see the relation between McDonald's, PayPal, pet stores and vet services, and select charities. These purchases can certainly be useful, but past categories typically had a bit more of a cohesive theme.

For example, last quarter's rewards were gas stations, EV charging, select live entertainment and movie theaters -- generally, transportation and entertainment. The second quarter featured Amazon.com, hotels and restaurants -- timed well for those planning spring trips.

Chase could've brought back Amazon rewards like Discover did with the Discover it® Cash Back* for people trying to get their holiday shopping done early. Past categories have also included wholesale clubs and Target.

However, I suppose Chase's choice of categories could be useful for pet parents who love to treat their furry family members around the holidays. And while McDonald's doesn't have much in common with pet supplies, it does make for a quick meal after a holiday shopping trip. 

And the holidays are a good time to grow your philanthropic side and donate to worthwhile causes, especially with Chase offering a little incentive to do so.

So while these categories are a more random assortment than past quarters, they can still be useful for those who have the spending habits to match.

More credit card advice:

• My Favorite Credit Card for the Holidays Might Surprise You
• What's the Cheapest Way to Get Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access? We Do the Math
  
• Most Shoppers Will Lean on Black Friday and Cyber Monday for Holiday Savings, CNET Survey Finds
  

*All information about the Chase Freedom Flex and the Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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