As Chase celebrates its 15th year of offering rotating cash-back categories, they have unveiled a mix of traditional and unconventional bonus categories for 2025.
From Jan. 1 through March 31, 2025, cardholders of the Chase Freedom Flex® and the Chase Freedom® can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined category spending for the following:
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Hair, nails and spa services.
Remember that all other non-bonus category spending earns 1% back. Additionally, eligible cardholders must activate the bonus categories by March 14, 2025, to earn the elevated rate. (Rewards can be earned retroactively, meaning you’ll receive 5% back for eligible spending throughout the quarter as long as you activate by March 14.)
Grocery stores, fitness clubs and spa services were bonus categories for the first quarter of 2024. However, for 2025, Chase is introducing Norwegian Cruise Line as a new category. In the previous quarter (Q4 2024), McDonald’s, pet shops, and vet services were also included as first-time additions to the bonus calendar.
Here’s a recap of Chase’s 2024 bonus rewards categories:
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Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex® bonus rewards categories for 2024 |
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*Includes bookings made directly with the hotel and prepaid bookings through Chase’s travel portal. |
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Q1 2025 (Jan. 1-March 31) |
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🤓Nerdy Tip
In honor of their 15-year anniversary of offering rotating cash-back categories, Chase promises a year filled with surprises and unique bonus categories.
How to make the most of Chase’s bonus categories
Grocery stores
The grocery store category — a cardholder favorite — is back for the first quarter of the new year. You can earn bonus rewards when you use your eligible card to make purchases at both major and local grocery stores, including grocery delivery. Notably, warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club are not included in this category.
Health and self-care
What better way to start off the new year than by recouping and meeting your health goals? Chase’s “fitness clubs” and “hair, nails, and spa services” categories can help you do just that. Fitness clubs include health, exercise and athletic clubs that require memberships like fitness centers and studios as well as gyms, aerobics, yoga and CrossFit training studios. However, third-party facilities, at-home fitness services and personalized merchants that offer massage therapy or weight management counseling, for example, are not included in this category.
Spa services had been a first-time bonus category in the first quarter of 2024, and this upcoming year, eligible Chase cardholders can once again get bonus rewards when they use their cards to pay for spa services like massages, treatments, manicures, tanning as well as hair care at barbershops and salons. Note that medical services, products purchased at salons, overnight stays at spas, and purchases made at airports and hotels won’t qualify for bonus cash back.
Norwegian Cruise Line
If you’ve got the travel bug and are clamoring to set sail,