Happy October! Time for new Ultimate Rewards Mall and Chase Freedom 5X bonuses. If you haven't already, remember to activate your Freedom 5X for Q4 bonuses, which are:
- Airlines
- Hotels
- Best Buy
- Kohl's
I immediately checked what hotels are at, and while not terribly exciting on their own, you can add 2X-4X for a total of 7X-9X bonus points by first clicking through the Ultimate Rewards Mall and then paying with your Freedom card. Make sure to read the terms of each, since most exclude gift certificate purchases and many exclude special rates, such as corporate rates, AAA discount, etc.
Here's a run-down:
InterContinental / Holiday Inn: 9X (4X from UR Mall + 5X from Freedom)
Keep in mind that with InterContinental (and most hotel deals in the Ultimate Rewards Mall, for that matter) the bonus points from the Ultimate Rewards Mall are NOT awarded to gift certificates.
If you did manage to max out this bonus with $1500 in InterContinental stays in October for 9X points, you'd earn a total of 13,500 Ultimate Rewards points–that's in addition to Priority Club points you earn on the stays.
Westin: 7X (2X from UR Mall + 5X from Freedom)
Westin doesn't prohibit gift certificates per se, but does say you're not eligible for the 2X UR Mall points until “reservations have been fulfilled.” The terms also exclude corporate and special rates that require proof of eligibility.
Marriott: 7X (2X from UR Mall + 5X from Freedom)
Marriott excludes special rates (presumably corporate, AAA, travel agent, etc.) as well as the Ritz-Carlton, BVLGARI, Edition, and several other brands and specific properties.
Fairmont: 7X (2X from UR Mall + 5X from Freedom)
Fairmont's terms note that gift certificate purchases and special promotional rates are not eligible for the 2X bonus points from the UR Mall.
You can also of course get 5X on airlines, but there isn't a way to get an additional bonus by clicking through from the Ultimate Rewards Mall, because none of the airlines are directly connected to the UR Mall, and only purchases made directly with the airline are eligible for the 5X bonus.
If you missed Sears 20X and have some apparel or household items to get, you could also get 15X on Kohl's by first clicking through the Ultimate Rewards Mall for 10X then paying with your Freedom for another 5X. Note that unlike Sears, gift certificates are NOT eligible, so you won't be able to double dip by first buying gift certificates.
Do you plan to get 9X points at InterContinental or 15X points at Kohl's using your Chase Freedom?
Check out and apply for the Best Travel Credit Cards.
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