Credit Card News
Chase Freedom Announces 5% Bonus Categories for Q4 2025
Chase is closing out the year with three main bonus categories — plus one additional category coming later this year.
About the Chase 5% Bonus Categories for Q4 2025:
Starting October 1st, Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex customers can earn up to 5% in two categories: Department Stores and Old Navy. On top of that, Chase Travel purchases will be even more rewarding during the quarter. Plus, starting in December, PayPal will also join the mix.
First, those with the Chase Freedom (which is no longer available to new applications) will be able to earn 5% back on Chase Travel purchases during the fourth quarter of the year. However, since the Chase Freedom Flex already earns 5% back on Chase Travel, these cardholders will earn up to 9% back total. Eligible purchases include airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, cruises, activities, and tours booked through Chase Travel.
Next, Chase describes eligible Department Stores as stores that generally have “multiple departments which sell apparel, home furnishings, furniture, electronics, cosmetics, housewares, and major household appliances.” Online purchases from these types of stores may also qualify. Meanwhile, supercenters, discount stores, and specialty stores are excluded, as are online marketplace websites.
The Old Navy category includes in-store and online purchases from the brand. Purchases at Gap or Banana Republic will not qualify, however. Additionally, Chase warns that transactions made using third-party cash back platforms such as Fluz will also not be eligible.
Finally, starting December 1st, cardholders can also earn 5% back on purchases made using PayPal. Note that this only includes purchases from retailers and not peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions. Also, eligible PayPal purchases will earn a maximum of 5% back regardless of the retailer category.
As always, customers will need to activate this quarter’s offer by going to ChaseBonus.com. Opting into the fourth quarter deal will automatically allow cardholders to earn 5% on PayPal come December as well. Per usual, bonus cashback is capped at a total of $1,500 in combined bonus category spending.
What They’re Saying:
Discussing this quarter’s picks, Chase Freedom GM Wittney Rachlin said, “Whether it’s a shopping haul with friends, traveling to new destinations with family or finding that perfect holiday gift, these categories are designed so cardmembers can make the most of their spending. It’s a rewarding finish to our 15th anniversary celebration and we’re grateful to our cardmembers for being part of this cashbacking journey.”
My Thoughts:
In my opinion, Chase did a fairly good job celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Freedom brand with its bonus categories this year. That said, they didn’t exactly stick the landing here. Personally, I think Old Navy should have been the extra category and PayPal should be valid for the entire quarter, rather than being restricted to December. To their credit, though, I do appreciate that Chase allows cardholders to stack their Chase Travel earnings, raising it up to 9% for Freedom Flex customers.
Note: Click here for the current Chase Freedom Bonuses.