Update March 14, 2024: The 5% gas and grocery offer has been pulled from referral links, so it is no longer available. However, Chase has run this promotion a few times in the past. There’s a good chance that it will run again in the future. We’re launching our newsletter in the coming days. Subscribe for free and be the first to know when this bonus returns.
In early 2024, it was possible to get 9% cash back on your groceries if you got a new Chase Freedom Flex℠ card. The people who got in on that welcome bonus likely will also be able to get 9% cash back on gas later this year with the same offer. Here’s how.
The first quarter 2024 5% cash back categories on the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex℠ cards included bonus rewards on groceries. This bonus stacked with the new cardmember welcome offer available at the time that offered 5% back on up to $12,000 of gas and grocery purchases. This made it possible to get 9% cash back on your groceries if you got a new Chase Freedom Flex℠ card.
I have no insider information about this, but Chase has offered this particular promotion a few times now, so it’s worthwhile to understand how this cash back stack worked. If it returns, you may be able to get 9% cash back on your gas and grocery purchases by stacking the welcome bonus and the category bonuses of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ .
Here’s what you need to know about this 9% cash back stack.
How the 9% cash back stack on groceries worked
The Chase Freedom Flex card offers 5% cash back rewards on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter in spending categories that change quarterly. In the first quarter of 2024, this category included groceries.
Chase was also running a promotion that gave new Chase Freedom Flex℠ cardmembers 5% back on the first $12,000 in grocery store purchases. This welcome bonus stacked with the category bonuses, meaning that when grocery stores or gas stations is a quarterly category, new cardmembers who got in on that welcome bonus could earn 9% total cash back on groceries or gas.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome bonus:
Before you apply through the link below, be sure to see our coverage of the best welcome bonus on this card. There may be a better offer in-branch.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Click here to learn more and apply for the Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Our take on the welcome bonus: $200 after $500 is the standard welcome bonus on this card.
The link above is a referral link. Someone on our team may earn points if you apply and are approved to the link above. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ at a glance:
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% in rotating categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter). 5% travel through Chase. 3% dining. 3% drugstores. 1% other purchases.
Benefits: Extended warranty. Purchase protection. Cell phone protection.
A bit more on the math behind the 9% rewards
Here’s how this bonus stack worked:
- You earn 1% base cash back for your purchase. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns 1% cash back on all purchases
- You earn 4% additional cash back for your grocery store purchase from the quarterly bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in spending)
- You earn 4% additional cash back for your grocery store purchase from the welcome bonus (on up to $12,000 in spending during your first year of holding a Chase Freedom Flex℠ card)
The 9% cash back stack is in Chase’s offer details
In addition to having worked in practice last year, the 9% cash back stack was in the terms and conditions of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ bonus offer. Here is the exact wording from the terms and conditions of the bonus offer:
“Please note, if gas stations or grocery stores is a quarterly bonus category during your first 12 months, you can earn both this 5% new cardmember bonus and the 5% quarterly bonus offers simultaneously until you reach the spend cap for each.”
Offer Details of the Chase Freedom Flex℠
So, getting 9% cash back isn’t just my speculation; it was in the terms and conditions.
Unfortunately, for the time being, the offer is no longer available
The standard welcome bonus on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card is $200 after spending $500 within three months. That is the offer that is currently available. Chase pulled the 5% gas and grocery offer from its referral channels around March 14, 2024.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ welcome bonus:
Before you apply through the link below, be sure to see our coverage of the best welcome bonus on this card. There may be a better offer in-branch.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Click here to learn more and apply for the Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Our take on the welcome bonus: $200 after $500 is the standard welcome bonus on this card.
The link above is a referral link. Someone on our team may earn points if you apply and are approved to the link above. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ at a glance:
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% in rotating categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter). 5% travel through Chase. 3% dining. 3% drugstores. 1% other purchases.
Benefits: Extended warranty. Purchase protection. Cell phone protection.
Frequently asked questions
You could earn 9% cash back on groceries with the Chase Freedom Flex by stacking the card’s quarterly bonus categories with a welcome bonus. (This particular welcome bonus is no longer available.) The Chase Freedom Flex℠ 5% gas and grocery welcome bonus gave new cardmembers 4% bonus rewards on up to $12,000 of gas and grocery purchases in your first year. The Chase quarterly category bonuses give you 4% bonus rewards on up to $1,500 of purchases in select categories. Add these two bonuses to the 1% rewards you get everywhere and you could get 9% cash back.