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With two weeks left in the last quarter of 2021, Chase has revealed the 1Q 2022 category spending bonuses for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card and the legacy Chase Freedom credit card (no longer open to new applicants). Registration for the new bonus categories is now open.
Chase Freedom/Freedom Flex 1Q 2022 Bonus Categories
The registration website for the quarterly bonus categories has now been updated and in the first quarter of 20212 the Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card (review) and the legacy Chase Freedom credit card will offer 5% cashback (or 5 points/dollar) on up to $1,500 of spending in the following categories:
- Grocery Stores (excluding Target & Walmart)
- eBay
These two bonus categories are in addition to the permanent bonus categories that the Freedom Flex credit card offers – Travel booked through Chase (5x/dollar) and Drugstores & Dining (3x/dollar).
It shouldn’t be very difficult to max out the 1Q 2022 bonuses that are on offer and with grocery store spending returning as a bonus category, many will probably view this quarter’s offering as an improvement on last quarter’s categories (Walmart & purchases made using PayPal).
While a 5% rebate on eBay spending is unlikely to see significant rebates rolling in (I doubt most people come anywhere near to spending $1,500/quarter through eBay), the ability to earn 5x at grocery stores (on up to $1,500 of spending) will be very useful and with grocery stores usually selling a lot more than just groceries, I’m sure that people will find creative ways to bring forward spending to make sure that they earn every bit of bonus cash back going.
It’s worth noting, however, that for the fourth quarter running, Chase has limited the bonus categories to just two so this seems to be the new normal – 3 bonus categories are, apparently, a thing of the past.
Still, as I said, the full $75 cash back or 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points on offer in 1Q 2022 shouldn’t be too difficult for most of us to earn thanks to the grocery store category, and if you’re wondering what Chase will recognize as a grocery spending you can check this webpage where you should find all the information you need.
Bottom Line
Chase has confirmed that the 1Q 2022 bonus categories for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card (review) and the legacy Chase Freedom credit card will be grocery stores and eBay. Registration will remain open through 14 March (here) and bonus points will be earned for spending in these categories between 1 January and 31 March 2022.
What do you think of the 1Q 2022 bonus categories for the Freedom Cards?
a question. the flex card comes with a startup bonus of $12000 spend at 5% at grocery stores.
in 2022 q1 there is a $1500 spend at 5% for grocery stores. if i get a new card in q1 does
grocery spending comes under the 1st or 2nd of these first?
That’s a very good question and the honest answer is that I don’t know. I suspect that all spending at grocery stores will credit against the $12,000 12-monthn limit and the $1,500 quarterly limit but I’ll see if I can find someone at Chase that can give us a definitive answer.