Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back for Summer
Posted by Cap in Credit Related |
If you have a Chase Freedom credit card (whether it’s a VISA or MasterCard), you’ve probably got a similar mailing in your mail box. As you can tell above, I have too many Chase Freedom cards (although some of them are duplicate ones, I have a strange habit of keeping credit cards that are long-since expired).
Before you start thinking I went crazy with the credit card sign-ups, Chase basically converted all my credit cards to their “Freedom” lineup through out the years, as they consolidated their credit card program under their flagship card product and revamp their reward programs to the “Ultimate Reward” structure.
This is just a friendly reminder to anyone that may also have had their Chase credit card converted to a Chase Freedom card. For the summer of 2010, you’ll get 5% cash back on travel related purchases, which in fact is a pretty sweet deal.
Notes on the 5% cash back:
- Purchase categories are gas, airlines, auto rentals, and hotels
- Up to $1,500 only. So basically maximum of $75 in cash back
- Valid between July 1st and September 30th, 2010
- Sign up at chasebonus.com
- Or call 1-866-913-4992
- Pictures of the opt-in process can be found below
The fine prints are in the brochure, but things you basically need to be aware of are the fact that you have to opt-in for this cash-back offer. Offer applies only to net purchase made with your credit card during the promotion period, online and catalog purchases are not eligible to receive the bonus reward UNLESS the merchants have correctly identified and billed the transaction (less of an issues these days if you purchase airline tickets or the hotel booking directly from the airline/hotel).
This offer may be available to certain Chase Freedom card members only, as per the fine print in the mailing. But seeing as how all four of my credit card received the similar offer, I’m assuming that they’ve cast a pretty wide net in this summer promotion.
If you’re not familiar with the Chase Freedom card, the gist is that it’s a 1%/5% cash back credit card with rotating bonus cash back category. I’m personally not a real fan of rotating cash back categories (something Discover card introduced back in the days), but it’s definitely a program that’s much easier for card companies to maintain in terms of profitability. In this particular situation, the cash back category is timely and useful. I’ll most likely easily reach the cash back limit for this promotion as I have a few trips lined up in the summer. If you have a Chase Freedom card and you’re planning for some summer trips too, opting in for this offer is a no brainer.
10 Comments to “Chase Freedom 5% Cash Back for Summer”
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June 24th, 2010 at 12:55 am
Wouldn’t work for me- it said I had to have received the offer in the mail for it to work.
June 24th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Thanks for the tip! Haven’t yet received the offer in the mail but it let me sign up just fine…
June 25th, 2010 at 7:30 am
I had one of my chase cards converted to a Freedom card recently when Chase and Starbucks parted ways on the Duetto card that I loved. So the first quarter being in the Freedom program was easy – I followed the instructions in the welcome letter, boom, signed up. Then I tried to re-up for the upcoming summer months, supposedly available as of June 15th, and I got a message saying none of my cards was valid for the Freedom program. I used the contact us function of chase.com to complain loudly that THEY sent me the stupid Freedom card and now they won’t let me sign up for the Freedom program?! I guess they saw the warped logic of my complaint because the first person kicked it up the ladder, and then someone eventually signed my card up for the summer quarter for me. But there was no real explanation about why I couldn’t do it myself and no assurance that I wouldn’t have this same problem every quarter going forward. Stupid program.
Anyway, try using the contact us function and insist that you have a Freedom card so you should be able to sign up for the Freedom program.
June 26th, 2010 at 9:46 am
That’s odd, I double-checked and I still have three Chase cards, none of which are Chase Freedom. Ah well, I still love my Cash Plus with the 5% on gas, groceries and drugstores.
July 6th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
if we sign-up for this summer travel program, will we still earn 1% for other purchases other than air-hotel-gas-rental? like grocery, movie,…etc.
July 25th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
A: Bummer but thanks for the notice. I had hope that everyone gets the offer but guess its selective, not sure what the criteria, if any, would be though.
fairydust: The thing about the Chase program is that they’re constantly changing things and making “improvements” to the program, so its tough to say if that has any effect on your experience. But agreed, everyone’s best route of support for the card program would be to log into their Chase account and use the online contact/messaging center. I’ve got best result for ALL customer service support from credit cards going that route.
Revanche: No touting grandfathered in cards thats better than ours :P
lynn: Sorry for late reply, yes you’ll still get the usual 1% cash back on purchases everywhere else. This is basically just the current rotating summer category for those that qualify.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
I think the name of this card “Chase Freedom” is so ironic. They are probably trying to sound like you get freedom with the card, but I read it as you will always be chasing freedom if you use credit instead of cash. But maybe it’t just me?
November 8th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Gotta say, that pile of credit cards is pretty disgusting. Stay away!
December 20th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Within the past 3 months, I’ve received three pre-appproved 0% on purchases, $100 cash back bonus apps for the Chase Freedom card. I was approved for all three, received and cashed one $100 check. Redeemed the automatic 10,000 bonus points after $800 in 3 months, for another $100 check I’m awaiting. The third pre-approved app stated 10,000 bonus points after the first purchase, so as soon as I receive the card, probably within the next week or so, my first words’ll be “charge it”, and it’ll be on like Al Capone. $300 bucks and 0% on purchases through February 2012, yep twelve, which will be paid off long before they get their rusty meat hooks in a sistah. A few credit report inquiries and whatever meager credit score repercussions, are a small price to pay for a lot of Freedom. I’ve been in the game for at least 10 years, and stuff like this is always a hoot and a holler.
June 10th, 2011 at 10:34 am
If you have half a dozen freedom cards, you can talk to Chase about combining them. Cut down on the number of cards you have to deal with.