Chase Freedom Calendars & Categories: (Tips to Maximize) [2021]

The Chase Freedom card was my first ever true rewards card and I have been earning five times the points on special categories ever since. I love the Chase Freedom card because it has no annual fee and allows you to rack up a serious amount of points each quarter in popular categories like groceries, gas, drug stores, and department stores.

In this article, I will show you the most recent 2020 Chase Freedom Calendar and also show you the calendars from the past few years including: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. I’ll then give you some insight into each of the different popular categories and show you some tips on how to maximize your earnings with those categories. Click here to see the latest categories!

How does the 5% cashback work?

Each quarter (every three months), you will have the opportunity to activate your 5% back earnings for a special category (or multiple categories) that allow you to earn 5% cashback on $1,500 worth of spend. This allows you to earn up to $75 cash back or 7,500 Ultimate Rewards.

For all of your spending beyond $1,500 on a given category each quarter you will receive a flat 1% cashback on all of those purchases. If you would like to earn more than 1% cashback on all of your purchases then you might want to look into some other cards that have better earning rates.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred will earn you two times the points on dining and travel purchases and it also comes with one of the best sign-up bonuses. Check out the full card details here.  

If you are okay with paying a higher annual fee of $550, you can also look into getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve which earns three times the points for dining and travel

And finally, there is the Chase Freedom Unlimited which will allows you to earn 1.5% back on all purchases.

Tip: I am a big fan of combining several different Chase cards so that you can maximize rewards in a lot of different categories. This is known as the Chase Quadfecta and you can read more about that here.

What are the bonus categories?

To give you a bit of a historical perspective, I have listed the Chase Freedom bonus categories over the past few years below. Notice the trends that come up again and again, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

2014 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Grocery stores, Movie theaters, Starbucks
• Quarter Two (Q2): Restaurants, Lowe’s
• Quarter Three (Q3): Gas stations, Kohl’s
• Quarter Four (Q4): Amazon.com, Zappos.com, Department stores

2015 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Grocery stores, Movie theaters, Starbucks
• Quarter Two (Q2): Restaurants, Bed Bath and beyond, H&M, Overstock.com
• Quarter Three (Q3): Gas stations, Kohl’s
• Quarter Four (Q4): Amazon.com, Zappos.com, Audible.com, Diapers.com

The final quarter with Amazon.com was special this year because it allowed you to earn 10% back on Amazon which was fantastic.

2016 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Gas stations, Local commuter transportation
• Quarter Two (Q2): Grocery stores, Wholesale clubs
• Quarter Three (Q3): Restaurants, Wholesale clubs
• Quarter Four (Q4): Department stores, Drug stores, Wholesale clubs

2017 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Gas, Local commuter transportation
• Quarter Two (Q2): Grocery stores, Drug stores
• Quarter Three (Q3): Restaurants, Movie theaters
• Quarter Four (Q4): Walmart, Department stores

2018 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Gas, Telecommunications, Mobile payments (Chase pay, Apple pay, Samsung pay, etc.)
• Quarter Two (Q2): Grocery stores, PayPal, Chase Pay
• Quarter Three (Q3): Gas stations, Lyft, Walgreens
• Quarter Four (Q4): Department stores, Wholesale clubs, Chase Pay

2019 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Gas stations, Tolls, Drugstores
• Quarter Two (Q2): Grocery stores, Home Improvement Stores
• Quarter Three (Q3): Gas stations, Streaming services
• Quarter Four (Q4): Department stores, PayPal, Chase Pay

2020 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Gas stations, Streaming services, and Internet, cable and phone services
• Quarter Two (Q2): Grocery stores, Gym membership, and Fitness clubs
• Quarter Three (Q3): Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.
• Quarter Four (Q4): WalMart and Payal

2021 Chase Freedom Calendar

• Quarter One (Q1): Wholesale clubs, Internet, Cable, & Phone Services, Streaming
• Quarter Two (Q2): Gas stations, Home improvement stores
• Quarter Three (Q3): ?
• Quarter Four (Q4): ?

Activating

You will need to activate your quarterly categories each quarter. You can easily do this online (visit ultimaterewards.com or chase.com/freedom) and you can receive an email reminding you to activate your categories. It only takes a couple of seconds to do so that you should always jump on it as quickly as possible.

You can also call the number on the back of your Chase Freedom card or even do this at a Chase ATM machine or branch office.

The deadline to activate your quarterly categories is usually a couple of weeks before the end of the quarter. So for example if the quarter was going to end at the end of June then you would have until mid June to activate your 5% cashback for that quarter.

Chase is pretty generous when it comes to earning your 5% back if you forget to activate your quarter. As long as you remember to activate it before the deadline you will receive 5% cashback on any purchases made for the whole quarter. 

Note that if you have multiple Chase Freedom cards you will need to activate each of them individually.

Merchant codes

Sometimes a merchant will not trigger the 5% back like you would think it would and this is due to the way that the merchant is classified.

Merchants and their processors work in accordance with Visa/MasterCard procedures to determine the type of merchant code that should apply to the merchant. Chase then groups together similar merchant codes into categories to allow you to earn 5% on those.

Sometimes a merchant will not be coded in a merchant code that is grouped in the 5% category and that is why you may not earn 5% with that merchant.

Maximizing the categories

One of the most efficient ways to maximize your earnings with the Chase Freedom card is to purchase gift cards whenever possible. There are many different types of opportunities to purchase gift cards with these categories offered by the Chase Freedom.

For example, you could purchase gift cards at drugstores, Amazon, grocery stores, department stores, with Chase pay, gas stations, the list can go on and on. So always be mindful of options to purchase gift cards so that you can multiply your earnings.

Chase freedom grocery store category

Merchants in the Chase Freedom Grocery stores category (that does not include Walmart and Target purchases), include supermarkets as well as smaller grocery stores.

Some merchants that sell grocery items are not included in this category, 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.
• Purchases made at gas stations operated by merchants who also operate grocery stores are not included in this category.

The grocery store category is very easy for many people to maximize because a lot of people spend more than $1,500 on groceries in the span of three months. Grocery stores are also fantastic places to purchase gift cards at so you can also maximize your earnings with gift cards.

Here’s a list of potential grocery stores via Chase:

A&P®

ACME

ADAMS FAIRACRE FARMS

ALBERTSONS

ANGELO CAPUTO’S FRESH MARKETS

APNA BAZAR CASH & CARRY®

ASIAN FOOD MARKET

ASSOCIATED SUPERMARKETS

BASHAS’®

BEL AIR

BERKELEY BOWL MARKET

BEST YET MARKET®

BIG Y®

BI-LO®

BOTTOM DOLLAR®

BROOKSHIRE BROS

BROOKSHIRES

BUEHLER’S®

BUSCH’S®

CASHNCARRY5

CENTRAL MARKET

CITY MARKET®

COBORN’S®

COPPS FOOD CENTER

COUNTY MARKET®

CUB FOODS®

D’AGOSTINO®

DIERBERGS®

DILLONS®

DOMINICK’S

EARTH FARE®

FAIRWAY MARKET®

FAMILY FARE®

FAREWAY STORES®

FRESH DIRECT®

FESTIVAL FOODS®

Fiesta®

FOOD CITY®

The Food Emporium®

FOOD LION®

FOOD4LESS®

FOODLAND®

FOODMAXX

FOODSCO

FOODTOWN®

FRED MEYER®

FRESH & EASYTM

FRESH FARMS INTERNATIONAL

FRYS-FOOD-DRUG

FRYS MARKETPLACE®

GELSON’S MARKETS

GFS MARKETPLACE®

GIANT®

GIANT EAGLE®

GIANT FOOD®

GIANT FOOD INC

GLENS MARKET

GOOD FORTUNE SUPERMARKET®

GREAT WALL SUPERMARKET®

GRISTEDE’S®

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market®

H MART®

HANNAFORD®

HARMONS®

HARRIS TEETER®

HEB®

HEINEN’S®

HILLERS MARKET

HOMELAND

HONG KONG SUPERMARKET®

HY VEE®

INGLES MARKETS

JAY C FOODS

JETRO CASH & CARRY®

Jewel-Osco®

KAM MAN FOOD®

KEY FOODS®

KING KULLEN

KING SOOPERS®

KING’S FOOD MARKETS

KROGER®

LOTTE PLAZA®

LOWE’S FOODS

LUCKY

Mariano’s Fresh Market®

MARINA FOOD

MARKET BASKET®

MARKET DISTRICT®

MARKET STREET®

MARSH®

MARTIN’S®

MARTIN’S SUPERMARKET

MEIJER®

MET FOOD®

MITSUWA MARKETPLACE®

NET COST MARKET

NEW SEASONS MARKET®

NOB HILL FOODS®

PATEL BROTHERS®

PATHMARK®

PAVILIONS STORE

PAY LESS

PEA POD

PICK ‘N SAVE®

PIGGLY WIGGLY®

Price Chopper Limited®

PriceRight

PUBLIX®

QFC® (Quality Food Centers)

RAINBOW FOODS®

RALEY’S®

RALPH’S

RANDALLS®

REASOR’S®

REDNERS MARKETS

ROCHE BROTHERS

ROUSES MARKET®

SAFEWAY STORES®

SAVE A LOT®

SaveMart®

SCHNUCKS®

SCHWANS HOME SERVICE

SCOTT’S®

SEDANO’S®

Shaw’s Market Fresh®

SHAWS OSCO

SHOP ‘N SAVE®

Shoppers Food Warehouse®

SHOPRITE®

SKY FOODS®

SMART-N-FINAL

SMITH’S FOOD®

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET®

STAR MARKET®

STATER BROS.®

STEW LEONARD’S®

STOP & SHOP®

STRACK & VAN TIL

SUBZI MANDI®

SUNSET FOODS®

SUPER 1 FOODS®

SUPER GIANT®

SUPER KING MARKET®

SUPER ONE FOODS®

SUPER SAVER®

SUPER STOP & SHOP®

SUPERFRESH®

Sweetbay Supermarket®

THE ANDERSON

THE FRESH MARKET®

TOM THUMB STORE

TONY’S FINER FOODS

TOPS MARKET

TRADER JOE’S®

TREASURE ISLAND®

ULTRA FOODS®

UNITED SUPERMARKET®

VALLI PRODUCE

VG’s Grocery®

VONS®

WALDBAUM’S®

WEGMANS®

WEIS MARKETS®

WholeFoods Market®

WINN®DIXIE

168 MARKET®

99 CENTS ONLY STORES

99 RANCH

Chase Freedom gas station 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.

Some merchants that do not specialize in selling automotive gasoline are not included in this category, such as:

• Truck stops
• Boat marinas
• Oil and propane distributors
• Home heating companies.

The gas station category can also be easily maximized with the purchase of gift cards in many cases. The drawback to this category is that sometimes you cannot get your bonus points with gas stations located at stores like Sam’s Club. Many people do have success with Costco coding as gas when you use the pumps outside.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Chase Freedom tolls category

Merchants in the Tolls category collect fees associated with toll roads, highways, and bridges. Purchases made during the quarter to replenish your electronic toll collection account will qualify.

Chase Freedom 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.

A great way to maximize this category is to seek out the gift cards. Many drug stores, such as CVS or Walgreens sell a nice selection of gift cards to all sorts of different places. This is a great opportunity to get 5X on categories such as dining or department stores.

Tip: Some people will purchase Amazon gift cards but you need to be careful about that because you will lose out on the purchase protections that you may have gotten with other credit cards.

Chase Freedom home improvement store 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.

Some larger merchants are not included that sell a wide variety of general goods which may include:

• Home improvement supplies
• Warehouse clubs
• Discount stores
• Grocery stores
• Also, merchants that specialize in home furnishings, garden and landscaping supplies are not included.

Here’s a list of home improvement stores via Chase:

HOME DEPOT

MENARDS

LOWES

ACE HARDWARE

SHERWIN WILLIAMS

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS

PC RICHARD & SON

TRUE VALUE

LUMBER LIQUIDATORS

BUILD.COM

PROBUILD

RURAL KING SUPPLY

ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE

PRO SOURCE WHOLESALE

NORTHERN TOOL EQUIP

Local Commuter Transportation category

Merchants in the Local Commuter Transportation category include regional operators of local commuter passenger trains, subways, metro, buses, taxis, and ferries.

Please note that some merchants that provide transportation and related services are not included in this category, such as:

• national and international trains (such as Amtrak),
• airport shuttles/limousines,
• parking lots/garages,
• tolls/bridges,
• airlines,
• hotels,
• car rental agencies,
• cruise lines,
• travel agencies,
• discount travel sites,
• vacation clubs,
• tour operators,
• and some municipal/government owned entities.

Chase Freedom Chase Pay

Chase Pay is a mobile wallet payment system that is accepted at a lot of popular retailers and restaurants. You can find a list of merchants to use Chase Pay at here.

Some merchants that you will probably recognize include:

• Best Buy
• Banana Republic
• Gap
• Five Guys
• Cinemark
• Old navy
• Panera bread
• Shell
• Quiznos
• Walmart

Chase Freedom department stores

• Aliexpress
• Beall’s of Florida
• Belk
• Bergdorf Goodman
• Bergners
• Bloomingdales
• Boscov’s Department Store
• Boston Store
• Dillards
• Goody’s
• Gordmans
• JC Penney
• Kohls
• Lord & Taylor
• Macys
• Neiman Marcus
• Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack
• Peebles Dept Store
• Saks Fifth Ave & Off Fifth
• Sears
• Stage Stores
• Stein Mart
• The Bon Ton
• Von Maur
• Younkers

These don’t count as department stores

• Walmart
• Target
• Kmart
• Discount stores such as TJ Maxx
• Electronics Stores
• General merchandise and Variety stores
• Gift cards purchased at any locations other than department stores on the inclusion list

Final word

The Chase Freedom card should be a contender for anyone interested in maximizing cashback each quarter. It always offers a solid lineup of categories each year and if you know how to maximize earnings with a gift card purchases you can easily rack up tons of points.