One in all my favourite elements of a brand new quarter is studying the Chase Freedom (now not obtainable to new candidates) and Chase Freedom Flex’s bonus classes. Chase Final Rewards factors are the rewards I take advantage of most continuously, so I like deciding on my technique to maximise bonus factors with my Freedom Flex every quarter.
The Freedom/Freedom Flex’s class bonus-earning is capped at $1,500 every quarter if you activate. Should you hit that max each time, you will earn $300 per 12 months. And in case you have one other card that earns transferable Chase Final Rewards factors, that is 30,000 Final Rewards factors — value $615 in line with our valuations.
I’ve discovered that with no plan, I both neglect in regards to the bonus classes and depart precious rewards on the desk or simply spend nicely over the $1,500 cap, incomes only one level per greenback spent on purchases I believed have been incomes bonus factors.
And I am not the one one who plans forward. Here is a take a look at how a few of my fellow TPG staffers and I plan to maximise the 2024 first-quarter bonus classes: grocery shops, fitness center memberships and self-care.
The knowledge for the Chase Freedom card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Grocery shops
Nonetheless, Matt will change his grocery-store spending to his Freedom card as he’ll earn 5% money again this quarter. Given he additionally has the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, his 5% money again turns into 5 factors per greenback spent. With Chase factors valued at 2.05 cents every, he’ll get a greater than 10% efficient return on this class this quarter, beating out the Amex Gold, which he’ll change again to in April.
Associated: The most effective bank cards for grocery spending
Health membership and fitness center memberships
I used to be thrilled to see health golf equipment and fitness center memberships as a returning class this 12 months. I’m going to a boutique health studio and often pay my membership month-to-month with my Chase Freedom Limitless card to earn 1.5 factors per greenback spent.
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Like Matt, I can flip my rewards into transferable Chase Final Rewards by combining them with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card. This enables me to get round a 3% return on this expense in line with our valuations.
Nonetheless, to take full benefit of the primary quarter bonus class, I plan to make use of my Freedom Flex to purchase an annual membership at my native studio. Doing so will put me near the $1,500 quarterly bonus max, however it can permit me to earn 5 factors per greenback spent on this expense and get round a ten% return on this price slightly than my typical 3%.
Associated: The most effective bank cards for health spending
Self-care and spa providers
TPG senior content material operations editor Madison Blancaflor is happy in regards to the new self-care and spa providers bonus class. One in all her 2024 resolutions is to focus extra on self-care, so she’s profiting from this class within the first quarter to assist set her up for achievement all 12 months.
She plans to purchase reward certificates for herself to get month-to-month facials and manicures, and quarterly massages all year long. She’ll use her Freedom Flex to purchase these from her favourite spa and nail salon to earn 5 factors per greenback spent on these luxuries.
Associated: Tips on how to construct a bank card technique for the brand new 12 months
Backside line
On the subject of maximizing bank card rewards, it pays to have a plan. And in case you have the Freedom or Freedom Flex, plan forward to take full benefit of your bonus-earning alternatives every quarter. Should you play your playing cards proper, you will get a powerful return on some purchases that will not earn bonus rewards throughout the remainder of the 12 months.
To study extra in regards to the card, learn our full overview of the Freedom Flex.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex