cklennon:
If you charge less than $600 per statement in your top 3 (or 5) categories, you can probably figure it out with Excel. The trick is that Chase is generous with their rounding. Create a column that multiplies each charge by 1% to get the base reward and round each row up to the next (not the nearest) penny. Sum this up and compare it to your statement. This should equal the line marked "Rewards on Purchases". Don't go any further until you get this right because this is the easy part. You'll find out if you're rounding right and if you have any extra or missing charges that shouldn't be in the calculation (like returns for example).

Create a flag column and flag the purchases that you know are in your top categories. Look at your statement to determine your top categories.

Then create another column that multiplies the charge by 2% for any row where the flag column is set (again rounding to the next penny). Sum this column up. It should equal the line that says "Bonus Earnings on Top Purchase categories" on your statement. If it doesn't, then you need to use trial and error flipping the flag on different records until you get it.

It's possible I have some of that wrong because it's been a long time since I spent less than the cap, but I do remember that you have to split the 1% and 2% transactions and play with the rounding to make it work.

If you spend more than $600 in your top categories, then it's more difficult and often impossible. You can sometimes get an idea based on which categories show up in your top categories. For example, I have never had anything in the Cable/Satellite/ISP category until last month. I looked through my transactions and totaled up the amounts in my other top categories (making some educated guesses at times). There was only one unknown transaction that could have pushed Cable into the top categories and that was MobieBooks.Com which is where I bought my eBook reader. Apparently they must call themselves an ISP.

-Andy

uly said:Anyone know what Ikea is classified as, if not a department store? How about Raymour & Flanigan?

Well, for purposes of the Chase Freedom card, anything that isn't covered under one of the 15 predefined categories is "Other," so I guess for Ikea it's "Other." I believe Ikea's MCC number maps to "Discount Stores" for whatever that's worth. I always use a debit card there now anyway, as they give 3% off next purchase by using a debit card, and I need the debit card transactions for my rewards checking anyway.

Sorry, never heard of Raymour & Flanigan.

Chris.

Qualify for the 3%
T-Mobile,Dish,Bright House,Casselberry Water,

Does not qualify 1%
E-Pass/Sunpass, tolls Central Florida

Express-Scripts, on line Pharmacy

My Jersey Central Power and Light (FirstEnergy) payments go through BillMatrix, and have always counted as "Utility Payments", for the 3%.

At least as of last month.

Qualifies under "Local Commuting" for 3%:

Peace Bridge Authority E-ZPass

Bump

Using my new CITI AMEX card (thanks to Chase for making me go to the trouble to learn about this <g> through the confusion on their Freedom cards), I notice some places Chase Freedom let earn higher rates, were differently classified by American Express.

For AMEX
Drugstore.com was charged as

Merchant Category: Health Care - DENTAL/LABORATORY/MEDICAL/OPHTHALMIC HOS

Life extension Foundation (online supplement store) was charged as

AMEX-Merchandise - DIRECT MARKETING - CATALOG

and presumably do not earn the everyday higher rate.

While for Chase Freedom these did seem to earn the higher rate.

ernie334 said:did they discontinued Chase Freedom Visa Signature card?? i've been trying to help a friend sign up for it. It's no where to be found. Wondering if i need them to sign up for a regular Chase Freedom Card first, then do the upgrade. I just want them to take advantage of the $50 bonus for every 200 Cash Back point. Any link or update would be appreciated. thx.

I don't believe you can sign up for the "old card" anymore and they are currently downgrading people with the "old" card to the new 1% card. The new 1% card does not have categories or the $250 check for 200 option.

Here's a thread talking about the downgrade

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/876619/?start=0

I have the Chase Freedom Card and I haven't received any notice that there has been a change. I still have 3% Cash Back in top categories, 1% in others and 200 get your $250 bucks.