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An Early Look at the 2012 Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back Bonus Category Calendar
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of the 2012 Chase Freedom bonus calendar so that I can figure out my credit card strategy for 2012.
If you’re not sure what I’m referring to, the Chase Freedom credit card offers a 1% unlimited cash back as a base, but every three months of the year, they offer different 5% cash back bonus categories.
For example, the past three months, I’ve been using my Chase Freedom on restaurant purchases when I travel – and have received 5% cash back. You can get 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter.
Chase hasn’t notified customers yet, but I was thumbing through my Chase Freedom account online and noticed a link to the 2012 bonus categories! There are some new additions, including Amazon, and gas as a category for two of the four quarters. Here are the 2012 5% bonus categories.
2012 Chase Freedom 5% Bonus Categories
Q1 (January – March, 2012) – can activate starting December 15
- gas stations
- Amazon.com
Q2 (April – June, 2012) – can activate starting March 15
- grocery stores
- movie theatres
Q3 (July – September, 2012) – can activate starting June 15
- gas stations
- restaurants
Q4 (October – December, 2012) – can activate starting September 15
- hotels
- airlines
- Best Buy
- Kohl’s
If you’re a geek like me, you’re probably going to write or print out a copy to put in your wallet. Here’s a smaller wallet version for you:
- Q1: gas, Amazon
- Q2: grocery, movie
- Q3: gas, restaurant
- Q4: hotel, air, Best Buy, Kohls
If you’re not yet using the Chase Freedom card, it’s one of the best cash back rewards cards. No annual fee, you get all of the aforementioned cash back rewards, and they are also running an outstanding promotion right now that will earn new Freedom customers $100 cash back when they spend $500 in the first three months after opening their account.
Chase Freedom Discussion:
- What do you think of the 2012 bonus categories? How do you like them versus 2011?
- What is your credit card strategy for 2012?
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My name is G.E. Miller and 
I’m very excited about getting cash back on gas basically half of next year. I drive a decent amount and every % helps. I’m glad they kept the restaurant and grocery rewards but wish they didn’t drop the charitable donations. I give to my church via credit card and have gotten some help these past few months with the cash back.
Agreed. Would have much rather seen donations instead of Kohl’s/Best Buy next Q4. Other than that, I think the 2012 calendar is a slight improvement over 2011. One more quarter of restaurants would be really nice…
If you want gas on non quarters, buy gas cards at the grocery store and see if you get the bonus cash back. Some grocery stores have in-store rewards too so you can stack your rewards on things you need to spend on like gas. I live in Los Angeles so I know what you mean about driving
This is far and away the best credit card out there. Thanks, G.E.
I love this card. I only use it for 5% categories but they chose great categories this year. 6 months of gas at 5%
Overall – I think last year’s categories were much better. We really miss the home improvement category, and take public transit and ride our bikes – meaning the gas category is a big miss for us. I don’t like how specific the categories are either, Kohls and Best Buy? I find that a bit odd, vs. the generic department store category in 2011. Airlines and hotels should also be moved to summer to accommodate more common travel times.