Chase Freedom 5% Categories for Q1 2026: Dining , Norwegian Cruise Line, American Heart Association

Chase Freedom 5% Categories for Q1 2026

Chase Freedom has revealed the 5% cash back categories for the first quarter of 2026. Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on Dining, Norwegian Cruise Line, American Heart Association. Since this card already earns 3x on dining, you would be earning a total of 7X during the first quarter.

Starting January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026, Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on the following categories:

• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Dining (meaning you earn a total of 7X)
• American Heart Association

In addition to these rotating categories, Chase Freedom Flex cardmembers always earn:

• 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

To earn 5% cash back on these categories beginning October 1, 2025, Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cardmembers can activate their bonus categories today.

For more information on participating merchants and how to activate Freedom and Freedom Flex’s quarter category offer, visit Chase.com/Freedom or Chase.com/FreedomFlex.

Guru’s Wrap-Up

I doubt anyone is super excited about these categories, but at least you have PayPal for the month of December which should help. Plus you can check out some department stores such as Kohl’s or JCPenney for third party gift cards.

Don’t forget to maximize this quarter’s categories as well. 

History of Quarterly 5% Categories for Chase Freedom Cards