Chase Q3 2019 Categories Revealed

Just an update article on the Chase Freedom 5X credit card’s rotating quarterly bonus categories. The upcoming quarter starts on July 1 and ends on August 31.

Chase Freedom Card

As covered earlier, the Chase Freedom Card is one of the most popular rotating category cards which includes the likes of the Discover IT Card as well as the Citi Dividend card (no direct application). However, the Freedom trumps both these cards because of it’s point earning ability (which can be redeemed for cashback) where once the points are combined with one of the Sapphire cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, the become a lot more valuable.

The Chase Freedom Card earns 5 UR Points per dollar spend in qualifying quarterly purchases upto $1500 spent after which it’s 1 UR Point per dollar (also for non-qualifying purchases). Points earned from each quarter (7500 UR Points) can be used to book free roundtrip US flights.

Freedom Card Calculator

Quarter 2 Categories

The second quarter in 2019 (1 April – 30 June) includes Grocery Stores (NOT Walmart and Target) and Home Improvement stores. Learn how you can maximize your point’s (or cashback) earned by reading my previous article.

Quarter 3 Categories

Finally, the categories for the third quarter in 2019 (1 July – 31 August) will include Gas Stations and Streaming services. Gas is a good category for those who drive a lot and also Gas Stations sell gift cards to literally everywhere you may want to shop at.

Gas Stations

Gas Stations include (but not limited to):

• Exxon Mobil
• 7/11
• HEB Gas
• Costco Gas
• Sam’s Club Gas
• Shell
• Sunco
• Chevron

Streaming Services

Streaming Services include (but not limited to):

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime Video
• Showtime
• YouTube
• SiriusXM
• DirectTV

Tips and Tricks

If you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited card that earns 3X back on it’s first year and wish to product change to the Freedom card, you may call up chase and do so – it may give you higher returns if you’ve already met the minimum spend and received the sign-up bonus.

As mentioned earlier, Gas Stations are a great place to buy Gift Cards. 7Eleven is one of those places that (for the most part) doesn’t have a gas station at every location. However, if you charge a $1 purchase at your local 7Eleven, you’ll if it that coded as a Gas Station or Grocery.

For Streaming services, you will have to change your current card (if it isn’t the Chase Freedom) to this card so that you are able to maximize your returns. You can pay for services like Direct TV and YouTube TV using this card as well.

Conclusion

I liked Chase’s first quarter Gas Category a lot mainly because one could buy gift cards and then use them for other purchases. I personally was unable to and I don’t think I will maximize this quarter either because I am hitting minimum spends on my other cards.

Word of Caution

Please do not dilute yourself and create risk by buying too many gift cards and then being locked into them. Only buy what you can afford and FULLY pay off because Gift Cards are non-refundable and while they can be sold online at portals like Raise, you can lose some money in the process – so please don’t make serious financial blunders now for short-term gains. 🙂