Chase’s 5% Bonus Categories, Q1 2025: Grocery Stores, Fitness, Spas, Norwegian Cruises

Ahead of 2025, Chase's 15th year of offering rotating cash-back categories, the issuer has announced both familiar and unconventional bonus categories.

From Jan. 1 through March 31, 2025, holders of the Chase Freedom Flex® and the Chase Freedom® can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined category spending for the following:

• Grocery stores.

• Fitness clubs.

• Hair, nails and spa services.

• Norwegian Cruise Line.

Keep in mind that all other non-bonus category spending earns 1% back. Plus, eligible cardholders must activate the bonus categories by March 14, 2025, to earn the elevated rate. (Rewards can be earned retroactively, which means you’ll earn 5% back for eligible spending done throughout the quarter as long as you activate by March 14.)

Grocery stores, fitness clubs and spa services were bonus categories for the first quarter of 2024, but this is the first time Chase is offering Norwegian Cruise Line. For the previous quarter (Q4 2024), McDonald's, pet shops and vet services were also first-time additions to the bonus calendar.

Here’s a look at what Chase previously offered in 2024:

» MORE: Current credit card bonus categories: Discover, Chase Freedom, Citi Dividend

How to maximize Chase’s bonus categories

Grocery stores

The grocery store category — a cardholder favorite — is back for the first quarter of the new year. You can earn bonus rewards when you use your eligible card to make purchases at both major and local grocery stores, including grocery delivery. Notably, warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club are not included in this category.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for groceries

Health and self-care

What better way to start off the new year than by recouping and meeting your health goals? Chase’s “fitness clubs” and “hair, nails, and spa services” categories can help you do just that. Fitness clubs include health, exercise and athletic clubs that require memberships like fitness centers and studios as well as gyms, aerobics, yoga and CrossFit training studios. However, third-party facilities, at-home fitness services and personalized merchants that offer massage therapy or weight management counseling, for example, are not included in this category.

Spa services had been a first-time bonus category in the first quarter of 2024, and this upcoming year, eligible Chase cardholders can once again get bonus rewards when they use their cards to pay for spa services like massages, treatments, manicures, tanning as well as hair care at barbershops and salons. Note that medical services, products purchased at salons, overnight stays at spas, and purchases made at airports and hotels won’t qualify for bonus cash back.

» SEE: Best credit cards for wellness

Norwegian Cruise Line

If you've got the travel bug and are clamoring to set sail, you might consider vacationing with Norwegian Cruise Line in the new year. This first-time category includes cruise tickets and purchases made directly with Norwegian Cruise Line. Third-party cruise bookings, purchases and activities are not included.

» SEE: Best credit cards for cruises

Chase Freedom Flex®

In addition to quarterly rotating 5% bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Flex® offers the following:

Annual fee: $0.

APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%-28.24%, Variable APR.

Rewards:

• 5% back on travel booked through Chase.

• 3% back on dining, including takeout and delivery services.

• 3% back on drugstore purchases.

• 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app (through March 31, 2025).

• 1% back on all other purchases.

» MORE: Benefits of the Chase Freedom Flex®