The Chase Freedom 2014 5X Categories have been announced, and one word describes them: disappointing. Sure, I'll keep my existing Chase Freedom card since it has no annual fee, but if you don't already have the Chase Freedom, I wouldn't bother wasting a Chase application on this card, even with the improved 20,000 signup bonus, unless you really have exhausted all other Chase cards you wish to apply for. My Chase Freedom will be collecting much more dust next year, since Chase ended its old Chase Exclusives program even for grandfathered members.
Here are the Chase Freedom 2014 5X bonus categories:
Q1 2014 (January 1 to March 31, 2014)
- Gas Stations
- Movie Theaters
- Starbucks Stores
Q2 2014 (April 1 to June 30, 2014)
- Restaurants
- Lowe's Home Improvement Stores
My Take: This is the ONLY 2014 5X quarter I'm looking forward to. My husband and I will each max out our 5X bonus by buying restaurant gift cards. As I wrote in United Award Chart Devaluation: Strategy Going Forward, my threshold for earning Ultimate Rewards points is now 5X, so I will continue to earn them if I can earn at least 5X per dollar, to compensate for the United award chart devaluation. Want some ideas for restaurants? Check out my Restaurant Reviews (just keep in mind you don't want to use the Chase Freedom for any international dining spend, due to the foreign transaction fee).
Q3 2014 (July 1 to September 30, 2014)
- Gas Stations
- Kohl's
Q4 2014 (October 1 to December 31, 2014)
- Amazon.com
- Zappos.com
- Select Department Stores
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