Activating your 5% cash back
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How often and why do I need to activate my 5% cash back?
You need to activate new 5% cash back categories every three months. We ask you to activate because we want to make sure you’re aware when categories change and where you can earn 5% cash back.
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How and where can I activate my 5% cash back?
There are 5 easy ways to activate. Just choose the one that's best for you!
- Online – visit ultimaterewards.com or chase.com/freedom
- Email – provide your email address here. We'll send you an email when it's time to activate. It takes just one click!
- Phone – call the number on the back of your card and let one of our specialists activate your 5% cash back.
- Chase location – visit any Chase bank and see a personal banker.
- ATM – Chase checking customers can activate their 5% cash back with one click via the ATM while making a cash withdrawal.
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Can you remind me when it's time to activate?
Yes! You can update your email address here to receive email reminders.
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Is it free to activate my 5% cash back?
Yes! It's a benefit that comes with your card. All you need to do is activate your 5% cash back every three months at chase.com/freedom
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When is the deadline to activate this quarter?
This quarter, the deadline for activation is June 14, 2019. So in order to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in the bonus categories from April 1 to June 30, 2019, you need to activate by then.
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If I don't activate until late in the quarter, will I still earn 5% cash back?
Yes! In fact, you’ll earn 5% cash back for all category purchases you’ve made for the whole quarter (up to $1,500), no matter when you activate as long as it’s by June 14, 2019. So if you activate any day before then, you’ll earn 5% cash back for category purchases dating back to April 1.
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What if I forget to activate before the deadline?
If you do not activate by June 14, 2019, you will not earn 5% cash back in the bonus categories. You can activate the next quarter’s categories starting June 15, 2019. To make sure you don’t forget to activate, you can sign up for activation reminders via email at chase.com/freedom
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If I have multiple Chase Freedom cards, do I need to activate all accounts?
Yes, please activate 5% cash back on all of your Chase Freedom accounts to make sure you earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter (on each account).
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Are there any other restrictions around activating my 5% cash back?
Activation is free and easy! There are no other restrictions around activating your 5% cash back. Activate your 5% cash back each quarter, and you will earn bonus rewards as long as your account is open and not in default at the time of fulfillment.
Earning your 5% cash back
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How does the 5% promotion work?
You’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases. In addition, you’ll earn 4% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in combined purchases in the bonus categories between April 1 to June 30, 2019. That’s a total of 5% cash back, which means you can earn up to $75 cash back ($15 cash back plus your $60 bonus cash back). You must activate your 5% cash back by June 14, 2019 and use your card between April 1 to June 30, 2019 in the bonus categories to earn bonus cash back.
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What determines whether a merchant falls within a particular rewards category?
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 its 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 reward 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.
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What happens if a merchant charges my Freedom card for a rewards category purchase after this quarter?
In order for a purchase to qualify for 5% cash back in this quarter’s rewards categories, the merchant must submit the charges to your credit card by the last day of the quarter. For example, if the merchant charges your card on a different date than you placed your purchase such as the shipping date, delivery date, or installation date, and that date is after the end of the is quarter, the purchase will not earn bonus 5% cash back.
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Where will I earn 5% cash back each quarter in 2019?
We’ll announce the categories each quarter when it’s time to activate, so you’ll know where you’re earning 5% cash back for the coming quarter. Activate now to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases at Grocery Stores and Home Improvement Stores from April 1 to June 30, 2019. opens new windowSee calendar
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What types of purchases qualify for 5% cash back this quarter?
You’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases from April 1 to June 30, 2019 when you use your card for purchases at Grocery Stores and Home Improvement Stores.
opens in a new windowSee examples of places where you will earn 5% cash back. -
What is included in the Grocery Stores category?
Merchants in the Chase Freedom Grocery stores category that does not include Walmart® and Target® purchases, includes supermarkets as well as smaller grocery stores. Please note that some merchants that sell grocery items are not included in this category; for example, larger stores that sell a wide variety of goods, such as Target®, Walmart®, discount stores, warehouse clubs, and some smaller merchants such as drugstores and merchants that specialize in only a few grocery items. In addition, please note that purchases made at gas stations operated by merchants who also operate grocery stores are not included in this category.
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What is included in the Home Improvement Stores category?
Merchants in the home improvement stores category specialize in selling a variety of home improvement supplies, from larger home improvement stores to smaller hardware stores. Please note that some larger merchants that sell a wide variety of general goods which may include home improvement supplies, for example, warehouse clubs, discount stores, or grocery stores, are not included in this category. Also, merchants that specialize in home furnishings, garden and landscaping supplies are not included.
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What is included in the Gas Stations category?
Merchants in the Gas Stations category sell automotive gasoline that can be paid for either at the pump or inside the station, and may or may not sell other goods or services at their location. Please note that some merchants that do not specialize in selling automotive gasoline are not included in this category, for example, truck stops, boat marinas, oil and propane distributors, and home heating companies.
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What is included in the Tolls category?
Merchants in the Tolls category collect fees associated with toll roads, highways, and bridges. Note that purchases made during the quarter to replenish your electronic toll collection account will qualify.
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What is included in the Drugstores category?
Merchants in the Drugstores category specialize in selling prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, supplements and various health-related items. These merchants may also sell cosmetics, toiletries, greeting cards, and various household items such as cleaning supplies and packaged foods and drinks. Please note that some merchants that sell a wide variety of goods including these items, and which may contain an onsite pharmacy, for example, warehouse clubs, discount stores, or grocery stores, are not included in this category.
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How much cash back can I earn each quarter?
You’d be surprised! You can earn up to $75 bonus cash back each quarter ($15 cash back plus your $60 bonus cash back), and you always earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases! Here’s a look at how your cash back can add up over just one quarter:
PURCHASE QUARTERLY SPENDING QUARTERLY CASH BACK Grocery Stores $800 $40 Home Improvement Stores $400 $20 Other Spending $1,500 $15 QUARTERLY TOTAL: $75 -
How much cash back do I earn in other places?
You always earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. See your Rewards Program Rules and Regulations/Agreement for details.
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Am I earning cash back or points?
“Cash Back rewards” are the rewards you earn under the program. Cash Back rewards are tracked as points and each $1 in Cash Back rewards earned is equal to 100 points. You may simply see “Cash Back” in marketing materials when referring to the rewards you earn. When you use points to redeem for cash, each point is worth $0.01 (one cent), which means that 100 points equals $1 in redemption value. You can use your points to redeem for cash starting at 2,000 points through an account statement credit or electronic deposit into an eligible checking or savings account held by a financial institution located in the United States.
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Can I earn 10% cash back or more if I make purchases that appear to qualify in two or more eligible categories?
No. You will earn a total of 5% cash back even on purchases that may qualify in two or more eligible categories; for example, using Chase Pay at a restaurant when both are categories or buying gas at a gas station attached to a grocery store when both gas stations and grocery stores are categories.
Earning your 1% cash back
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Will I always earn unlimited 1% cash back?
Yes. You'll get 1% cash back on your purchases every day with Chase Freedom.
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How much do I need to spend on my card before I start getting 1% cash back everywhere?
Chase Freedom gives you unlimited 1% cash back on all your purchases from the very first dollar you spend.
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Will Chase Freedom give me unlimited 1% cash back at discount and warehouse stores?
Yes! You'll earn unlimited 1% cash back at discount and warehouse stores. Chase Freedom always gives 1% cash back at stores like Target® and Walmart®.
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Will I earn 1% cash back on cash advances?
No. You will always earn cash back on purchases made with your Chase Freedom card. However, a cash advance is not considered a purchase.
Seeing your 5% cash back
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How does my 5% cash back add up?
You earn a total of 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases at Grocery Stores and Home Improvement Stores from April 1 through June 30, 2019. That means you earn 4% bonus cash back in addition to your 1% standard cash back you earn for a total of 5% cash back.
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How does my 5% cash back show up on my statement?
On your statement, you’ll see your rewards totaled as points in the Rewards Summary section. Your 1% standard cash back will appear as it normally does. Your 4% cash back will be broken out separately into categories with a description of “Bonus from 2Q 5% category”. And if you activate after the quarter has started, you will still get your 5% bonus cash back on all purchases made since April 1. It will show was “Retro(active) 2Q 5% cat(egory) bonus”
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When will I see my cash back on my statement?
In most cases, once you activate your 5% cash back, you'll see your rewards on the same statement you see your purchases. However, if your purchase was made within 1-2 weeks before your statement closing date, you may see your corresponding rewards on your next statement.
The listed merchant(s) are in no way affiliated with Chase, nor are the listed merchant(s) considered sponsors or co-sponsors of this program. All trademarks are the property of their respective owner(s).
Chase, Chase Pay, and the Chase Octagon are trademarks of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
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