Three ways I recently got extra value from my Chase Freedom Flex card

My Chase Freedom Flex ℠ card has been getting quite a workout lately. In Q4 2021, I maxed out the standard 5% rotating cash back categories (PayPal and Walmart) with a mix of holiday shopping and routine household expenses. Since the 5% rate is capped at $1,500 in quarterly spending, I nabbed $75 in cash back. This quarter, I’m well on my way to maximizing the 5% limit on groceries and eBay purchases (activation is required and purchases beyond the $1,500 limit earn 1% cash back).

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Top Spend Bonus

In the final three months of 2021, Chase ran a special “Top Spend Bonus” promotion that gave an additional 4% cash back on each cardholder’s top eligible spending category (again capped at $1,500 in quarterly spending). For me, it was groceries. That essentially gave me a second 5% cash back category that quarter.

I didn’t receive this extra cash back on my January 19 statement, however, which made me a little nervous since my other fourth-quarter rewards had posted by then. A few days later, I noticed an extra 7,500 points (worth $75 in cash back) in my pending rewards balance, which I should receive when my next statement comes out on February 19. Others have been reporting the same thing, so it appears that the top spend bonus payouts are on their way.

If you’re still waiting on yours, log in to your Chase account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards section. Hopefully, you’ll see a big influx in your “+ XXX points with your next statement” balance. I couldn’t find a specific line item for the top spend bonus, even after reviewing my “rewards activity” tab, but I ran the numbers and can tell that my +8,402 pending points include my recent transactions and 7,500 other points, which must be from the top spend bonus.

DashPass

Another way that the Freedom Flex recently came through for me was through a free three-month DashPass subscription. Chase included a coupon code that gave me $25 off my first order, too.

DashPass is DoorDash’s membership program, which normally costs $9.99 per month. Benefits include $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on restaurant orders over $12 and grocery orders over $25. World and World Elite Mastercard holders also get $5 off two orders every month until Sept. 30, 2022, or while supplies last (and my Freedom Flex is a World Elite Mastercard).

Many other Chase cards are eligible for DoorDash benefits. The most generous perks are for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, who can get a free DashPass membership through 2024 plus a $5 discount off eligible orders each month from April 2022 through December 2024.

Chase Offers

I continue to be impressed by the quality and quantity of the deals available through Chase Offers. It’s a strong challenger to the more established Amex Offers program and seems to be growing rapidly. I’m constantly seeing new options that appeal to me.

I redeemed three Chase Offers during the holiday season, totaling about $16 in bonus cash back from Adidas, Under Armour and Shutterfly. And I just activated an offer for 20% cash back (up to $16) on a Disney+ subscription.

Other standard features

All of these recent savings opportunities have amplified a card that I already used regularly for its rotating 5% cash back categories, 3% dining and drugstore rewards and Shop Through Chase online shopping portal. Cardholders also get 5% cash back when they book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards (I haven’t done that yet). Through March 2022, Lyft rides score 5% cash back as well. All other purchases earn 1%.

I also love how the Freedom Flex includes up to $500 in purchase protection coverage. That once saved me several hundred dollars in Apple Watch repair costs.

Bottom line

If you already have the Freedom Flex, I hope these examples have inspired you to get even more value from your card.

If you don’t have it yet, note that new cardholders get a $200 bonus after spending $500 in their first three months. I can honestly say that the Freedom Flex is one of the best cash back cards on the market. I only use two credit cards – and this is one of them.

Have a question about credit cards? E-mail me at ted.rossman@creditcards.com and I’d be happy to help.