Mastering Every Quarter: A Fresh Look at Chase Freedom Flex’s Q4 Bonus Bonanza
The fourth quarter of 2024 introduces a quirky lineup of bonus categories: PayPal, McDonald’s, a handful of charities, pet stores, and veterinary services. From October 1 through December 31, cardholders can snag an extra 4% cash back on up to $1,500 spent across these sectors.
Remember, activation is a must, and once the $1,500 cap is hit, the rewards revert to the usual rates — 1% on most purchases and 3% on dining. This means that PayPal transactions, contributions to select charities, as well as spending in pet shops and vet clinics will yield 5% cash back. Meanwhile, purchases at McDonald’s will rake in 7%, up to that quarterly cap.
Strategizing the Q4 Bonus: My Game Plan
For my household, PayPal stands out as the top contender. It fits perfectly with our holiday shopping spree and everyday expenses. A major anticipated expense is airline tickets for a family getaway in February. Since many airlines accept PayPal, booking during Q4 could easily consume much of the $1,500 limit. Simply by leveraging PayPal, maxing out this category over three months seems well within reach.
Though pet ownership eludes us, the pet-related categories — including pet stores and veterinary services — offer a curious twist. Cards like this are rare; one notable exception is a card that hands out unlimited 4% back on an eclectic mix of self-care, eco-friendly products, plus sports and entertainment. This card’s inclusion of pet supplies and food resonates with a niche but dedicated crowd. Could it be that Freedom Flex’s category architects noticed this trend?
Charitable Giving Shines in Q4
Charitable donations, spotlighted from October through December, are a rare bird among credit card bonus categories. Given that giving tends to crescendo at year’s end, this well-timed focus echoes last year’s Q4 lineup for the Freedom Flex, reinforcing a thoughtful nod to generosity.
Noteworthy charities qualify for this bonus, such as:
- American Red Cross
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Feeding America
- Habitat for Humanity
- International Medical Corps
- International Rescue Committee
- Leadership Conference Education Fund
- NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
- National Urban League
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund
- United Negro College Fund
- UNICEF USA
- United Way
- World Central Kitchen
- GLSEN
- Out and Equal
- Sage
McDonald’s: An Unexpected Wildcard
Including McDonald’s might raise eyebrows; after all, it would take a hefty number of Big Macs to reach the $1,500 quarterly threshold. But for those who frequent the Golden Arches, this could be a win. Or, it might just serve as a handy stopgap if the other categories don’t push you to the limit.
My 2024 Quest with Freedom Flex: Can I Nail All Four Quarters?
In pursuit of the perfect year, I aced the Q1 5% categories — mainly groceries for me, but also fitness memberships and spa services fit the bill. Q2 saw me hitting the ceiling again, thanks to Amazon orders, dining out, and hotel bookings through Chase Travel. Q3 rewarded spending on live entertainment, theaters, and EV charging stations, with live entertainment being the MVP for my tally.
Since 2011, this card has been my ally, but a full four-quarter max-out has remained elusive—until perhaps this year. Chase’s recent expansion from single-category quarterly bonuses to three or even four categories per quarter has been a game-changer.
Household growth — doubling from two to four members — and creeping inflation have naturally boosted spending. Interestingly, the $1,500 quarterly limit has stood firm since I first signed up, though its value has shifted over time. For context, $1,500 in 2011 roughly equals $2,100 today, reflecting inflation’s bite. Using portals like (the online shopping site offering extra cash back after clicking through to participating merchants) has been a sweet bonus, saving me nearly $300 once on an Apple Watch fix.
Already, I’ve circled October 1 on my calendar to switch my PayPal payments over to the Freedom Flex card. Here’s to squeezing every last drop of value out of this final quarter’s perks.
Need a Hand with Credit Cards?
If you have questions or want to talk shop about credit cards, feel free to reach out. I’m always glad to share insights and lend a hand.
*The details regarding the Chase Freedom Flex® and Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card were gathered independently by Bankrate. The issuing banks have not reviewed or endorsed this information.
Clash of Cash Back Titans: Capital One Savor vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
Summary Snapshots
When it boils down to racking up cash back on your go-to spending categories, two contenders stand tall: the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If your wallet leans heavily toward dining out and entertainment, Savor tends to hold the upper hand for long-haul usage. Meanwhile, Freedom Unlimited flexes with a heftier welcome bonus and shines on miscellaneous purchases.
Pause and weigh the enduring benefits before pinning your hopes on either card.
Quick Look at What’s on the Table
| Rewards Breakdown |
|
|
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 cash bonus after $500 spent in 3 months | Earn up to $300 cash back in the first year via an extra 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent |
| Intro APR | 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; then variable 19.24%–29.24%. Balance transfer fees of 3% within 15 months, none beyond promotional offers. | 0% intro APR for 15 months; then variable 18.99%–28.49%. Balance transfers incur 3% fee first 60 days, then 5% thereafter. |
| Annual Fee | No annual fee | No annual fee |
How Do These Cards Stack Up?
Both cards pack solid punch in popular segments — dining notably — but your ideal pick hinges on your spending mix and personal reward preferences.
Welcome Bonus Face-Off
Champion: Chase Freedom Unlimited
While Savor hooks you up with a modest $200 bonus after spending $500 within three months — a straightforward target — Freedom Unlimited aims higher. Its sweeter $300 potential bonus unfolds as an additional 1.5% on everything you spend during your inaugural year, up to $20,000, translating to:
- 6.5% back on Chase Travel bookings
- 4.5% back on dining and drugstore buys
- 3% back on all other purchases
Bear in mind, your reward payday hits at year-end, and to max those perks, you’d need to chalk up roughly $1,667 monthly charges. With the right spending cadence, that extra $100 over Savor is within reach.
Rewards Rate Showdown
Champion: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Freedom Unlimited outperforms Savor with a 1.5% back on “everything else” — a boost over Savor’s 1%. For all-around swipers, Freedom’s edge on general purchases can sweeten the deal. However, Savor throws down a rich 3% cash back across dining, entertainment, popular streaming, and grocery shopping (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target). Freedom Unlimited backs dining and drugstore buys with 3% but notably skips out on groceries and entertainment rewards.
Entertainment aficionados who regularly rock concerts can reap a hefty 8% back on shows via Capital One’s Entertainment portal, making Savor a no-brainer if your wallet gravitates towards those categories.
Conversely, if your spending is more of a mixed bag, Freedom Unlimited’s consistent 1.5% on everyday buys and the chance to amplify rewards by pairing with other Chase cards grabbing Ultimate Rewards points could tip the scales.
Annual Fee
Result: Dead Heat
Neither card levies an annual charge, so you’re covered either way on that front.
Foreign Transaction Fee
Winner: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Capital One cards generally waive foreign transaction fees, and Savor stays true to that trend. On the flip side, Freedom Unlimited tacks on a 3% fee for overseas purchases or transactions made through foreign websites involving currency conversion.
If you’re globe-trotting or snagging items internationally often, Savor’s no-foreign-fee policy makes it the smarter pick.
Cash Back Champions: Which Card Reigns Supreme?
Both cards suit jet-setters and social butterflies, but their reward categories highlight differing strengths that may sway your choice.
Savor Cash Rewards vs. Freedom Unlimited: Spending Breakdown
The cash rewards your lifestyle nets vary. A general spender will see a different payout than someone who leans into entertainment and grocery purchases.
| Dining | $400 | $12 | $12 |
| Groceries | $250 | $7.50 | $3.75 |
| Entertainment | $300 | $9 | $4.50 |
| Streaming | $50 | $1.50 | $0.75 |
| Travel (via portal) | $200 | $10 | $10 |
| Drugstore | $70 | $0.70 | $2.10 |
| Miscellaneous | $400 | $4 | $6 |
Here, Freedom Unlimited takes the crown for the opening year thanks to its lucrative sign-up bonus, but Savor nudges ahead in the long haul with slightly superior ongoing rewards.
If your wallet favors miscellaneous purchases over dining or groceries, Freedom Unlimited may ultimately deliver stronger value over time.
Why Opt for Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?
If your spending wheel often lands at grocery aisles, eateries, entertainment hubs, or travel portals, Savor could be your best pal. Here are some extras that might sweeten the pot:
Perks in the Package
- Extended warranty coverage
- Zero liability for fraudulent charges
- Concierge services to streamline your life
- Travel perks like free flight price-drop protection, round-the-clock travel assistance, and accident insurance
- Access to exclusive experiences via Capital One’s entertainment and dining portals
Plus, an enticing introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. A 3% fee on balance transfers applies for the first 15 months — par for the course in this space.
How to Redeem Your Rewards
- Statement credits against your balance
- Direct checks
- Gift cards to your favorite brands
- PayPal transactions
- Purchases on Amazon.com
Bonus: You can also flip your cash back into Capital One travel points at a 1:1 ratio through their travel portal.
Credit Score Needed
Good to excellent credit (670–850) opens the door.
Why Consider Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Freedom Unlimited card is a household name in the points-earning game, packing strong perks and earning potential that scales up as you go.
Extra Features
- Three months of free DashPass subscription, followed by a half-price discount for nine months (activation by 1/31/2025)
- Purchase protection on eligible items
- Extended warranty coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Chase Pay Yourself Back tool for flexible redemption
This card toes the same line as Savor with its 0% intro APR and balance transfer fees (3% or $5 minimum in the first 60 days, then 5%).
Cash Back Redemption Routes
- Statement credit or direct deposit
- Gift cards
- Travel bookings through Chase’s travel portal
- Amazon.com and Apple purchases
- Donations to charity
You can also transfer points to Chase’s premium travel partners to unlock elevated reward values.
Credit Score Needed
The same good-to-excellent credit benchmark (670–850) applies.
The Final Word
Whether Capital One Savor or Chase Freedom Unlimited delivers more bang for your buck pivots on your spending style, lifestyle, and goals. Don’t rush—scrutinize the long game and factor in your habits before staking your claim. For those exploring other avenues, consulting this year’s top-ranked cash back cards can unearth other worthy contenders.
Bonus Factbite
According to recent data, average US household credit card spending hovers around $7,000 annually. Cards that offer 3%+ back on key categories like dining and groceries can effectively put hundreds of dollars back into your pocket each year, making category-specific rewards like Savor’s particularly valuable for higher spenders.
Unlocking the Full Potential of Amazon Cash Back Rewards
Essential Insights
Stacking up your Amazon cash back haul is entirely doable through multiple avenues — from turbocharged cash back credit cards to the Amazon-specific plastic in your wallet. If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, the perks ramp up further with complimentary shipping and steep discounts to sweeten the deal. And let’s not overlook the prime-time events like Amazon Prime Day and the fresh Big Deal Days that bring jaw-dropping bargains.
Amazon’s knack for simplifying shopping and slashing the time it takes is undeniable. But with a handful of savvy moves, you can snag extra perks without compromising on convenience. We unpack how tapping into cash back reward cards, Amazon co-branded credit cards, savvy shopping portals, and more can bulk up your savings on every Amazon buy.
Here’s a lineup of eight stellar tactics to rake in cash back on Amazon purchases.
1. Rock a Cash Back Credit Card
When you swipe a cash back credit card for Amazon shopping, it fast-tracks your way to padding your wallet — especially if Amazon is your go-to hangout. Plenty of cards are out there, but top contenders offer juicy returns:
- Chase Freedom Flex® awards 3% cash back in a category of your choosing — online shopping included. Keep in mind, this 3% applies up to $2,500 per quarter across select categories, with a steady 1% back beyond that.
- Discover it® pumps 5% back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 when you activate). Although their Amazon-specific card is no longer issued, Discover blends lucrative cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods with everyday categories like dining and gas.
- Amazon Prime Visa targets Prime devotees, often welcoming new cardholders with an instant Amazon Gift Card. The rewards stack up as:
| Rotating 10%+ back | Selected categories on Amazon.com with active Prime membership |
| Unlimited 5% back | Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market & Chase Travel with Prime membership |
| Unlimited 2% back | Gas stations, restaurants, local transit, and rideshares |
| Unlimited 1% back | All other purchases |
This card also throws in perks like concierge service, access to luxury hotels, and robust travel and purchase protections to sweeten the wallet and the journey.
2. Lock in with the Amazon Prime Store Card
The Amazon Prime Store Card earns you 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods but sticks firmly to Amazon’s ecosystem — it’s a closed-loop card, so your rewards stop outside Amazon’s realm. New cardholders get an $80 Amazon gift card right after approval.
Let’s glance at how the Amazon Prime Visa stacks up against the Amazon Prime Store Card:
| Rewards Rate | 5% on Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods & Chase Travel; 2% on restaurants & gas; 1% on others | 5% on Amazon.com & Whole Foods (in-store code) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $250 Amazon Gift Card (limited time, Prime members only) | $60 Amazon Gift Card |
| Annual Fee | None (requires $139 Prime membership) | None (requires $139 Prime membership) |
| Additional Benefits |
|
None beyond rewards |
3. Stack Rewards by Shopping via Cashback Portals
Want to layer your savings like a pro? Start by initiating Amazon purchases through cashback portals such as BeFrugal or TopCashBack. These platforms credit you a percentage back once you create an account and agree to their terms.
When paired with a cash back card like the Amazon Prime Visa, you could be reaping up to 13% total back — 5% from your card plus up to 8% from the shopping portal. That’s some serious stacking power.
4. Score Deals at Amazon Warehouse
Eyeing massive savings? Amazon Warehouse is your treasure trove of open-box, nearly-new, or used goodies from top-notch brands. Packaging might be a little banged up, but the quality inside often speaks for itself.
Because deals vanish fast — first come, first served — you’ll want to pounce when you spot a gem. And since this is all on Amazon’s turf, you can pay your way, including with reward-optimized cards.
5. Explore Amazon’s Spectrum of Savings Tools
Your hunt for bargains is far from over once you check out the warehouse. Amazon’s arsenal of savings paths includes:
- Today’s Deals: Flash sales that flare up abruptly and wrap up by day’s end.
- Subscribe and Save: Auto-renew essentials to score free shipping plus 5-15% or higher discounts.
- Amazon Coupons: Exclusive site coupons stacking with other discounts on everyday must-haves like toiletries and skincare.
- Woot! Deals: Lightning sales with monstrous markdowns, coupled with Prime shipping if you’re in the club.
6. Leverage Free Shipping Perks
While free shipping isn’t cash back per se, it slashes your spending significantly — especially if you’re an Amazon Prime fan. Get two-day free shipping on eligible items and, in many places, upgrade to same-day or Saturday delivery if you meet minimums.
By tapping into these shipping benefits, your Prime membership stretches further — pairing faster delivery with cash back rewards intact.
7. Employ Price Tracking Tools to Nail the Best Bargains
Amazon’s prices often dazzle with affordability, yet if you’re doubting your deal, price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa let you peek into an item’s price trajectory. Not exactly cash back but check the historical lows before buying, and you’ll maximize your savings.
8. Ride the Wave of Amazon Prime Day
A crown jewel for Prime members, Amazon Prime Day unlocks exclusive steals, including Buy With Prime and invite-only specials. Here, some goods flex with cash back rates soaring up to 25% when using an eligible Amazon card — far beyond the usual 5% baseline.
What’s the Deal with Amazon Big Deal Days?
Don’t mix this up with Prime Day. Amazon’s Big Deal Days, a two-day extravaganza (next scheduled for October 8-9, 2024), puts Prime members front and center for spectacular discounts across a wide range of products. Think of it as a warm-up act before Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
This extended shopping spree eases holiday spending by spreading out deals over a longer window, giving Prime members more breathing room.
In Summation
If you’re among the millions who swear by Amazon, you might be stunned at just how many ways there are to juice your cash back returns. Whether you wield a cash back credit card optimized for retail, or stick with Amazon’s specialized cards, your rewards can swell significantly.
Plus, stacking deals with Amazon warehouse finds, Prime Day offers, and strategic use of shopping portals can turbocharge your savings. If you haven’t yet picked a cash back card, exploring options tailored to your spending style will pay dividends down the line.
*Details regarding Chase Freedom Flex® and Amazon Prime Store Card sourced independently by Bankrate; these specifics have not been vetted by the card issuers.
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