Chase Freedom cardholders have a fresh set of new bonus categories this quarter. If you plan ahead, you can make the most of your bonus, earning 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points!
When pooled with points from annual-fee Chase cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, those bonus points would be enough to earn you a free stay at a category 1 Hyatt hotel with points to spare! Or you transfer them to other terrific partners like United Airlines or Southwest for nearly free flights.
The new categories are available now through September 30, 2018. After you activate the bonus (by September 14, 2018) you will earn 5% cash back (5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent) at gas stations, Lyft, and Walgreens on up to $1,500 in combined spending.
Here are 5 ideas to help you earn the maximum point bonus this quarter.
Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for Gas, Lyft, and Walgreens
Apply Here: Chase Freedom
Through September 30, 2018, you’ll earn 5% cash back (5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1) on your first $1,500 in combined spending at gas stations, Lyft, and Walgreens when you pay with your Chase Freedom card.
At 5X points per $1, that means you can earn a total of 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus points ($75) this quarter. Remember to activate your Chase Freedom card by September 14, 2018 to get this bonus. The bonus is even retroactive back to the start of the quarter (July 1, 2018) for any purchases you make between then and your activation date.
Folks who have an annual-fee Chase Travel card can transfer these bonus points to their other card and redeem them for:
- $75 cash back
- 1 Free night at a category 1 Hyatt hotel (generally worth more than $75)
- Part way towards an incredible Hyatt hotel
- A short one-way flight on Southwest
- Part way towards an award flight on United Airlines or one of their Star Alliance partners
- A short-haul award flight with British Airways and their partners like American Airlines
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Here are 5 ideas on how you can get your maximum bonus this quarter.
1. Transfer Your Prescriptions to Walgreens
Many folks have prescriptions you have to pick up each month and this can sometimes add up to quite a bit of money. You would be purchasing these anyway, so why not earn 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on them?
Walgreens is a pharmacy at its core and has branched into other convenience services. Consider purchasing your prescriptions from Walgreens this quarter and you might hit your bonus limit surprisingly quickly.
You will want to call Walgreens and make sure they have the medications you need. They are usually willing to order it if they don’t have it in stock. I have found Walgreens to have a very extensive selection of in-stock medications and their prices are competitive.
If you prefer another pharmacy, then you always transfer back after you reach your bonus limit or the quarter ends.
2. Forget the Rental Car on Your Next Trip, Use Lyft Instead
If you already have a trip planned for this summer, you might want to consider using Lyft as your primary mode of transportation once you get there. Especially when traveling to larger metropolitan areas, Lyft can be very convenient and you don’t need to worry about parking or the rental car.
If you don’t already have your Chase Freedom card linked to your Lyft account, take some time to do that now and set it to the default payment option. That way the next time you are on the side of the road and need a Lyft, you don’t need to remember to use your Chase Freedom card for the ride. I know for me personally, my current payment method isn’t the first thing I think about when hailing a Lyft.
3. Plan a Summer Road Trip
Because gas stations are a bonus category this quarter and it’s also summertime, it’s the perfect formula to justify a road trip! Save your collection of airline miles for flights this winter and take advantage of summer with a cross-country tour. Depending on how far you are traveling, one road trip can make up a significant portion of your bonus points limit from gas stations alone!
One note when road-tripping to get bonus points this quarter is to avoid truck stops for filling up. Chase has excluded truck stops from the gas station bonus category. Many of the large gas station superstores off the side of the freeway are actually truck stops and may not qualify for bonus points. One notable exception I found was Love’s Travel Centers which are fairly common off the freeway nationwide and will earn you bonus points.
Save or print out the list of qualifying gas stations from Chase to use as a “cheat-sheet” while you drive.
4. Get Your Beauty Products and Household Items From Walgreens
Walgreens has a surprisingly extensive selection of beauty and cosmetic products at their stores. They usually run good promotions on these products as well. Most of the brands they sell are name brands that you are probably buying already.
Some everyday products to consider purchasing at Walgreens this quarter:
- Makeup
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Feminine hygiene
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Cleaning products
- Laundry detergent
- Dish soap
So take a look at what household items you are getting low on and consider making those purchases at Walgreens this quarter.
5. Gas Stations Sell More Than Just Gas
You could increase your spending at gas stations this quarter by using them for their convenience store offerings. These purchases still qualify, so they can be a great way to make quick trips for snacks or drinks. Need some more chips for the BBQ you’re doing? Grab them from a nearby gas station.
Folks who purchase their gas primarily at wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club or Costco can shift their habits to filling up at gas stations this quarter instead. These warehouse club gas stations or gas stations operated by grocery chains like Kroger will usually not qualify for bonus points.
Bottom Line
Folks can earn up to 7,500 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards points ($75) until September 30, 2018 on their Chase Freedom card at gas stations, Lyft, and Walgreens. To earn these bonuses you will need to activate your card before September 14, 2018.
Cardholders of an annual-fee Chase travel card can transfer the 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to that card and redeem them for:
- $75 cash back
- 1 Free night at a category 1 Hyatt hotel (generally worth more than $75)
- Part way towards an incredible Hyatt hotel
- A short one-way flight on Southwest
- Part way towards an award flight on United Airlines or one of their Star Alliance partners
- A short-haul award flight with British Airways and their partners like American Airlines
This makes it worth your time you seek out these bonus categories! Our top 5 tips to meet your full maximum bonus points this quarter are:
- Transfer your prescriptions to Walgreens
- Use Lyft instead of a rental car on your next trip
- Plan a road trip
- Get beauty products and household items from Walgreens
- Get last minute treats and snacks from gas stations
Try these out to make the most of the Chase Freedom bonus categories this quarter!
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ https://millionmilesecrets.com
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ https://millionmilesecrets.com