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Update: The Amazon 5X category is supposed to include Whole Foods purchases, but readers have reported not receiving the bonus points. The fine print may have been in error, but if you bring it to Chase's attention via secure message you're likely to be able to receive the bonus points.
The Chase Freedom Q2 2023 categories will be Amazon and Lowe's. Activate your Chase Freedom 5X bonus. While convenient, we wish Chase Freedom 5X categories would expand to include broader categories that benefit more small and local businesses. I'd love to see 5X for restaurants, for example, as many restaurants are independently owned, and 5X for independent bookstores.
Perhaps the easiest way to maximize the 5X bonus for those who do buy significant amounts on Amazon is to reload your Amazon balance using an activated Chase Freedom card. Another option is to buy third party gift cards. Unfortunately Whole Foods gift cards seem to have disappeared, but you can purchase Whole Foods gift cards with your Ink Cash card at office supply stores, which also earns 5X. The Amazon category is supposed to include Whole Foods market purchases, per the fine print.
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To maximize the value of the Chase Freedom 5X bonus, you'll also need a Chase Ultimate Rewards card such as the 100K Ink Business Preferred or the 60K Chase Sapphire Reserve, so that you can transfer points out to airline frequent flyer programs such as United MileagePlus, British Airways Executive Club, Singapore KrisFlyer and others.
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Best Uses of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
We always recommend diversifying one's frequent flyer miles, and focusing on transferable bank points such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, AMEX Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou points whenever possible, as a hedge against the frequent devaluation of airline frequent flyer programs. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club recently devalued with no notice JAL awards and ANA awards, respectively.
Thanks to earning 3X-5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on most of our major spend, due to Chase Freedom 5X quarterly bonuses and 5X from our Ink Cash and old Ink Plus card on cell phone, Internet, as well as gift cards, plus 3X on all travel and dining via the Chase Sapphire Reserve, we still find it useful to transfer points to United MileagePlus to book SWISS Business Class, Brussels Business Class, Austrian Business Class and SAS Business Class, as well as United Polaris flights to Hawaii. Periodically there are also transfer bonuses from Chase Ultimate Rewards to British Airways Executive Club, which has helped us book Iberia Business Class at good rates.
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