Today is the first day of the third quarter of 2026 5% bonus categories for the Chase Freedom Flex (our referral link) and original Chase Freedom credit card (no longer available) have been released and can now be activated.

The Chase Freedom 5% categories for 2026 3rd quarter (July 1 – September 30, 2026) are Gas Stations, Public Transit, EV Charging, Select Live Entertainment, and donations to United Way®.

Chase provides clarification on what is included and excluded in each category:

• Gas Stations Inclusions: Merchants in this 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.
• Gas Stations Exclusions: 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.
• Public Transit Inclusions: Merchants in this category include operators of passenger trains, buses, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.
• Public Transit Exclusions: Merchants that provide transportation and related services are not included in this category, for example, airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, vacation clubs, tour operators, bike or scooter rentals and car sharing. Taxis, Limousines, and rideshares such as Lyft or Uber are not included in this category.
• EV Charging Inclusions: Merchants in this category sell electric vehicle charging services that can be paid at the charging station, via mobile app, account/subscription or an attendant, and the merchants may or may not sell other goods or services at their location. Merchants must use the electric vehicle charging MCC for transaction to be rewarded againsts.
• EV Charging Exclusions: If electric vehicle charging services are offered for free by a merchant or are included in their services, but other services/goods require payment, the transactions will not be rewarded against. In the event, parking facility merchants, such as valet parking, airport parking, and parking garages, charge to the MCC that results in the highest sales volume, the transaction will not be rewarded against. Residential electric vehicle charging is not included in this category. Electric vehicle charging equipment purchases and servicing for any use, including residential or commercial, are not included in this category.
• Select Live Entertainment Inclusions: Merchants in this category sell tickets for live in-person entertainment such as major sporting events, zoos and aquariums, concerts, theatrical productions, museums, tourist attractions and exhibits, amusement parks, circuses, carnivals, bands, and entertainers. Ticket agencies selling on behalf of the entertainment venue are included.
• Select Live Entertainment Exclusions: Some merchants that sell tickets for in-person entertainment are not included in this category; for example, movie theaters, bowling alleys, horse racing tracks, casinos, and dance hall/clubs. Purchasing from a hotel/concierge is not included nor excursions or purchases as part of a travel package.
• United Way® Inclusions: To ensure your charitable donation is eligible for the 5% Cash Back reward, donate directly through United Way’s official channels using the link www.Unitedway.org.
• United Way® Exclusions: Local chapters may not be eligible due to transaction processing procedures.

The 5% only applies to the first $1,500 spent on combined purchases each quarter. This means if you spend $1,500 on a combination of Gas Stations, Public Transit, EV Charging, Select Live Entertainment, and donations to United Way® during the third quarter of 2026 you will receive a total of 7,500 points (1,500 plus a bonus of 6,000 points).

Don’t Forget to Activate

Please note, that in order to earn the 5% you must activate the offer each quarter (by text, email or other methods). You can register now or any time during the registration period and earn the full 5% for the entire quarter retroactively. Registration for the 3rd quarter of 2026 ends on September 14, 2026.

Although the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Flex are technically cash back cards, if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business or Sapphire Reserve for Business cards you can transfer points from your Freedom account into one of those accounts and then can transfer those points to various Chase travel partners.