Chase Freedom 5% CB for both new and old customers

In the fine print: "Maximum bonus reward accumulation during the promotional period is 3,200 bonus points."

So, I am assuming 5% is 5 points per $1 spent. So, it would be up to $640 spent, correct?

Edit: Never mind - after registering, it said I can spend up to $800 dollars. So, the bonus points are above and beyond the regular 1% (1 point per $1).

FWIW - it allowed me to register my Freedom Plus

naas said: If you sign up for this, do you lose the 3% in 5 categories? I'm guessing so, because they're enumerated in $ not points.

I would like to know this as well.

is it limited to certain categories only ???
this is the msg i got after enrolling...

You now automatically earn 5% Cash Back this spring through June 30th on qualifying purchases up to $800 in the following categories:

* Home Improvement stores
* Home Furnishing stores
* Lawn & Garden stores
* Drugstores

Lame. You'd think they could at least have different categories than Discover for the exact same period. You would think they are in cahoots.

If I end up buying anything at Home Improvement Stores Discover will have to get my business since they are at least the original of the lameness. Freedom will get the DS purchases I suppose.

Lame is letting emotion rule financial decisions. Freedom is at least 1% from the get go. With Discover you have to build up your rewards spending to get to the 1% tier and the 5% promo does not count towards it.

ChrisV said: Lame. You'd think they could at least have different categories than Discover for the exact same period. You would think they are in cahoots.

If I end up buying anything at Home Improvement Stores Discover will have to get my business since they are at least the original of the lameness. Freedom will get the DS purchases I suppose.

centrifuge41 said: drpepper7 said: is it limited to certain categories only ???
this is the msg i got after enrolling...
Yea... it's those categories. Interestingly, the Discover More card also has home improvements during the same cycle. Did you expect a card that gives 5% on everything for 3 months? Not in this day and age

Nopes did not expect anything...but OPs post and the title implicated nothing as well.

totally worthless deal...

Weirdly I never got changed over the best 3 categories. My freedom card still gets 3% CashBack on gas, groceries, and quick service restaurants. Hence I never use it.

$50 threshold. Your choice of a check, statement credit, or gift cards - most people pick check or statement credit for obvious reasons. Unlike Discover, there is no bonus for redemption for certain merchants (i.e. Staples). Interestingly, despite being "converted" over to the "new" Chase Freedom (with the 1.1 points per $1 spent), I still have access to the old Chase Freedom information, with the 3% for the Top 3 and the $250 for $200 deal.

calwatch said: $50 threshold. Your choice of a check, statement credit, or gift cards - most people pick check or statement credit for obvious reasons. Unlike Discover, there is no bonus for redemption for certain merchants (i.e. Staples). Interestingly, despite being "converted" over to the "new" Chase Freedom (with the 1.1 points per $1 spent), I still have access to the old Chase Freedom information, with the 3% for the Top 3 and the $250 for $200 deal.

Wierd, the threshold on mine is $20 for check, statement credit, or gift cards. I just rechecked to be sure. So is everyone's different? Confusing program is confusing...

UKEEKAZE said: Let me ask you this. Does current 3% best 3 categories remain the same as before? I was thinking that Chase was doing this to stop the 3 category 3% rewards.

Just like they've done away with $250 cash bonus, this top 3 categories seems to be going away gradually. Their 5% sounds good and a few might benefit, but most people will likely wind up with less in the long run. I'm sure it's a money saving switch on their part. It's just like those up to 30% savings on the shopping site that turn out to be around 2 or 3% for most of the common purchases.

hbarsquared said: Sorry, but the 200/250 deal with chase is now dead.

Not for Plus cardholders. I just redeemed today.

VeroniqueBlade said: hbarsquared said: Sorry, but the 200/250 deal with chase is now dead.

Not for Plus cardholders. I just redeemed today.

Me too.

As per Chase CS, they have no plans to alter the Freedom Plus rewards program. Freedom Plus is also eligible for this 5% promotion.

vickh said: bought a washer @Sears

5% or 1%?
1%

khorne55 said: I had a chase PerfectCard and just recently got a letter that they changed it to chase freedom with 5% in some categories with quarterly signup. However it would not let me signup. Also I noticed I have a choice of cash or points rewards (it is defaulted to cash) and now have the Ultimate Rewards thing. I'm confused.

Interestingly, my mother who also had the PerfectCard did not get converted, she also averages over $1000/month on it but I put much less on mine.

I had a regular Chase Rewards card that said it would be converted to the Freedom card on April 30. When I logged in, my card was converted but I was unable to register for the 5% back. Last week I called customer service and asked if I was supposed to be be getting a new card and she said it was mailed a day ago. I never received the card so I sent an online message and they replied that my card is not eligible for the 5% despite receiving mail and an email saying that it was.

Gimplish said:
Me too.

As per Chase CS, they have no plans to alter the Freedom Plus rewards program. Freedom Plus is also eligible for this 5% promotion.
If Freedom Plus is indeed eligible for this extra 5% (while powered by the 200/250 redemption), I will call it THE best card of the land in today's world.

Couple of weeks ago I called Chase CS on some irrelevant issue (my Freedom Plus got blocked when I was travelling to Florida to see the Space Shuttle Launch), and at the end of the call the CSR reminded me that I had not enrolled my card for this 5% program. I said I wouldn't think my card was eligible but she said it was. And then she registered for me over the phone.

Still a bit skeptical, although I did get~$7 "Other Bonus Rewards" in my 2/4/2010 statement, possibly from Oct-Dec rotation...I guess I will know more when I get my June statement and see if Jan-March rotation shows up.

[edit: I can't remember if I had successfully signed up for the Jan-March rotation or not...so I might not see anything...]

return222 said: I am so confused. I have cash plus rewards on my cash reward card but that one doesn't have 200/250 reward. They told me it is 5 points per $1 spend on gas, grocery etc.
I also have ultimate reward on my Freedom card. It did have the 200/250 reward but I thought that is gone and I cashed out my reward already.

I think I will use my AX card from now on for my 3% gas.
I called them about my Chase Freedom card, and they told me they are no longer offering either the 3% on top categories or the 200/250 reward check. In my opinion this makes the Chase Freedom a much crappier card.

woctaog said: I called them about my Chase Freedom card, and they told me they are no longer offering either the 3% on top categories or the 200/250 reward check. In my opinion this makes the Chase Freedom a much crappier card.

I am not even aware this card is now a travel card. So basically this is a 1% rebate card. May be I will pull out my Citicard if I can remember the rebate on that card.

"Please be advised that rebates are earned for every net dollar charged to the card. You get 1% Cash Back for each $1 in net purchases and 2% Cash Back for each $1 spent on
qualifying airfare purchases made online through the Program Booking Tool.

Additionally, I see that your account also has a bonus rewards offer in which you can earn 5% Cash Back on Home Improvement, Home Furnishings, Lawn and Garden and
Drugstores for purchase between April 1 - June 30, 2010. You need to opt in between March 15th and June 14,2010 at www.chase.com/freedom.

Although you no longer get the additional $50 when you
cash in your $200 rewards Cash Back. Chase has provided
you with additional benefits.
? No monthly or annual reward earning caps
? Your rewards do not expire
? 5% bonus Cash Back opportunities on a variety of
purchases throughout the year
? A new online site that allows you to redeem for what you
want including gift cards and million of products.
? 1% Cash Back on all purchases
? Get Cash Back starting at $50
? New redemption options such as entertainment, sports,
parks and recreation, and wine and culinary."