Making the Most of the Chase Freedom

The aptly named Chase Freedom® allows cardholders to earn 5% cash back freely across everyday spending categories that change throughout the year, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. Using the card in the 5% categories, though, is just part of maximizing the value you get from this credit card.

Here's how to make the most of the Chase Freedom®.

» MORE: Full review of the Chase Freedom®

Use the quarterly bonus categories

Carrying the Chase Freedom® and not taking advantage of its quarterly 5% bonus categories is like buying a Ferrari and driving it exclusively back and forth to the supermarket: You're missing the point entirely. To get the 5% rewards on this card, you need to "activate" the bonus category each quarter and then use your card at eligible merchants.

Activate the category each quarter. You can activate easily by logging into your account online or using the Chase Freedom® Mobile app. The trick is in remembering to do it each quarter. That's why Chase offers automatic alerts via email and calendar notification.

Use your card on bonus categories. Once you activate, you get 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending in the bonus categories for the quarter. Once you hit the $1,500 limit in a quarter, any additional spending in that category earns 1% cash back. Here are the categories for this year:

» MORE: Chase Freedom® vs. Discover it® Cash Back

Combine it with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards

Strictly speaking, the Chase Freedom® doesn't give you cash. Rather, it gives you Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for cash. For every $1 you spend, you get 1 point; in the 5% bonus categories, you get 5 points for $1. When redeemed for cash back, the points are worth 1 cent apiece, so the effect is the same.

However, if you also carry the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can boost the value of those points by 25%. You do that by transferring points from your Chase Freedom® to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and then using them to book travel through Chase. When you use points this way, each has a value of 1.25 cents. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns unlimited 2 points per $1 on travel; 5 points on travel booked through Chase; 2 points on restaurants, select streaming services and online grocery purchases; and 1 point on everything else. Combining these two cards gives you a points boost on what you earn with the Chase Freedom® and bonus points all year round via the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Win-win.

» MORE: Chase Freedom® vs. Citi Double Cash® Card

Save money on purchases with 'Shop through Chase'

"Shop through Chase" is Chase's online shopping portal that offers up to 15% cash back on purchases like electronics, clothes and travel accessories. Here's how to use it:

1. Log in to Shop through Chase with your Chase account.

2. Choose a retailer from Chase’s list of partners. Clicking on the retailer's link takes you to its website.

3. Shop at the retailer’s site as you normally would, and be sure to pay with your Chase Freedom® card.

If you're a Chase cardholder and you're about to make any large purchase, it's always worth checking Chase's shopping portal before you spend — if you want to save money, that is.

» MORE: How I use the Chase Freedom®

Use a different card abroad

The Chase Freedom® charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%, making it a poor choice for spenders who are looking for a card to use outside the United States. Plenty of other cards come without foreign transaction fees.

How to redeem rewards on the Chase Freedom®

To redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards Points:

1. Log onto your Chase account.

2. Scroll to yourChase Freedom®. (If you have several Chase cards, they'll all be displayed together.)

3. Click "Go to Ultimate Rewards."

4. Choose how you'd like to use your points.