Chase’s Freedom Cards Tweak Bonuses, End Grocery Benefit

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Offers mentioned in this article are no longer available, so this page is out of date. For current offers, see NerdWallet's reviews of the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

The Chase Freedom Flex® and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® are no longer offering their lucrative incentive on grocery store spending for new cardholders

Both cards previously offered a two-part sign-up bonus, one of which was 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year — an offer that, when maximized, was valued at $600.

But as of Jan. 13, 2022, that part of the bonus offer has expired for both products. So here's what the cards are offering as sign-up bonuses now.

» MORE: Best credit card bonuses for new cardholders

Chase Freedom Flex®

When you apply for the Chase Freedom Flex® through NerdWallet, you’ll be eligible for the following sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

That means the card retains a part of the previously offered bonus to new cardholders; it's just dropping the first-year offer on groceries.

But keep in mind that at least through the end of March 2022, you can still earn 5% back on groceries because Chase unveiled grocery stores — along with eBay — as a quarterly bonus category for the card. So from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2022, cardholders can earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly spending in those two categories. (Activation of bonus categories is required.)

Note: If you apply for the Chase Freedom Flex® directly through Chase, the bonus is different. You’ll earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening, as well as 5% cash back on gas purchases on up to $6,000 spent in the first year.

» MORE: Current and past bonus categories for Freedom and other cards

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

New cardholders who apply for this card through NerdWallet are eligible for a sign-up bonus that Chase phrases this way: "Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back!"

This extra cash back is in addition to the card's ongoing rewards, meaning in the first year, you would earn the following rates, up to the $20,000 cap:

• 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase. (Ongoing rate usually is 5% back.)

• 4.5% back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service. (Ongoing rate usually is 3% back.)

• 3% back on all other purchases. (Ongoing rate usually is 1.5%.)

This bonus is less lucrative compared with the card's previous promotion. But there's no minimum spending requirement like there is with most rewards cards. You're earning the bonus with every dollar you spend.

Note: As with the Chase Freedom Flex®, when you apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® directly through Chase, you’ll get a different sign up bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening, as well as 5% cash back on gas purchases on up to $6,000 spent in the first year.