Chase Q3 Bonus Categories 2026 for Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex
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Chase has announced its bonus categories for Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex from July 1 to September 30, 2026. These categories allow you to earn a 5% bonus on spending for specific categories.
The Chase Q2 Bonus Categories 2026 were Amazon, Chase Travel, and Feeding America. Hopefully, you have already activated these, as June 14 was the last day to earn the elevated bonus points.
What are the new Chase Q3 Bonus Categories for 2026?
- Gas and EV Charging
- Public Transportation
- Select Live Entertainment
- United Way
I am so excited about the gas and public transportation. As a New Yorker who owns a car, this is the perfect time for me to increase my Chase points. While I do have a car, I still actively use public transportation roundtrip for work on the days I do not drive. Futhermore, with the great weather I am planning to do some day trips upstate on the Metro North.
In addition, with the select live entertainment and everyone going on tour, this could be a great time for many to earn additional points. I wish they had announced this before I purchased my Jay Z tickets.
Also, Since I am currently planning a Disney trip, this will help me even more and make purchasing that expensive ticket ever more worth it.
What is included in Select Live Entertainment for Chase Q3 bonus Categories 2026?
Select Live Entertainment includes major professional sporting events, zoos and aquariums, concerts, theatrical productions, museums, tourist attractions and exhibits, amusement parks, circuses, carnivals, bands, entertainers, and ticket agencies selling on behalf of the entertainment venue.
How do I make sure I earn the 5% on the Chase Q3 Categories for 2026 with Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex?
You need to activate the bonus categories, and you can do that today! There are 6 ways to do that:
- Online: you can click here to activate
- Email: Check your email for activation
- Chase Mobile App: log in to the app to activate
- Phone: call the number on the back of your card, and a customer service rep can activate it for you.
- Chase: You can speak to a teller to help you activate the categories.
- ATM: If you are a Chase checking customer, you can activate the categories when withdrawing money.
If you have more than one card, you need to activate the bonus categories for each card. If you have more questions, check out this post from Chase. If you need to activate the 2026 Q3 Chase bonus categories for Chase Freedom Flex, use this link.
Is there a limit to how much you can earn from the Chase Q3 Bonus Categories 2026?
Yes, you are limited to $1,500. This can be tracked on the website. Once you reach the limit, it goes back down to 1%.
Is there a deadline to activate the Chase Freedom Q3 2026 bonus categories?
Yes, more than likely it will be around September 14, 2026. It has not been published yet, but based on the past quarter, this is my estimate. All purchases must be posted to your accounts by September 30, 2026, to receive the additional bonus points/cashback.
Chase Freedom Categories 2026 Q3
I would highly recommend activating this offer to boost your monthly earnings, even if you are currently unsure about your spending in these categories. For the last quarter, when Amazon was one of the benefits, I shifted my spending from my American Express card to my Chase Freedom card to earn additional points.
For this quarter, I am switching my Chase Sapphire Preferred transit spending to the Chase Freedom since I spend roughly $6.00 a day on the subway in NYC.
If you are looking for travel-related items on Amazon, check out these Amazon travel essentials to help make your travels smooth for you and those you travel with.
Happy points earning!
| Travel Resources | Information about Resources |
| Airalo | If you need phone service while out of the country, check out Airalo to avoid all the fees. |
| Amazon | Find the perfect items for your next vacation! |
| Booking.com | If you want to book a mix of hotels and houses, check out booking.com! |
| Expedia | If you need a package that includes flight + hotel, or want to add a car? Expedia is the perfect site to book an entire vacation. |
| Priority Pass | If you do not have a credit card, you can still get lounge access by purchasing a Priority Pass Membership! |
| Ticketmaster | Heading to a concert or event, make sure to check out Ticketmaster. |
| Vrbo | Find the perfect rental house for your vacation and/or staycation. |
| Viator | The perfect place to find all your excursions and things to do in the many cities you visit. |
