The Chase Freedom 2019 Q1 5x bonus categories have been released: gas stations, select streaming services, and internet, cable, and phone services. That should be an easy enough category to max out given the inclusion of gas stations and the breadth of gift cards sold at many of them. You’ll be able to register beginning 12/15/19 for purchases from 1/1/20 to 3/31/20.
The Deal
- The Chase Freedom 2019 Q1 5x bonus categories have been announced. They will be:
- Gas stations
- Select streaming services
- Internet, cable, and phone services
- Registration opens December 15, 2019 for purchases from 1/1/20 to 3/31/20
Key Details
- Valid on up to $1500 in combined purchases from 1/1/20 to 3/31/20
- Must register first. Registration opens 12/15/19
Quick Thoughts
While not quite as broad as the current Q4 categories, including gas stations should make this easy to maximize. Obviously some people spend enough on fuel throughout a quarter to meet the spend threshold, but even those who don’t could easily max this out with a couple of gift card purchases.
H/T: One Mile at a Time
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This article says you “must register first”. Actually, you just need to register before the deadline and then any purchases in the quarter will be credited. Even those before you register. So, you can drop the work “first”.
Fix the year. 2019 -> 2020.
Lol Pass
Glad to see the streaming/phone/internet/cable categories, as well as gas, since I’ve maxed out my 5X on CIC until my next anniversary…..
Nick or any folks, in TX which gas stations(s) can i find variable VGC? TIA
Where are you in?
TX is by far the easiest state to buy $500 vgc at gas station.
creditian, houston,tx
thx
Since I have the Chase Ink Cash Card these categories don’t do much for me as they already are covered. I also have the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa that gets me 4x on gas so I suppose I could get 1 extra pt. but not sure worth the bother.
I’m in the same boat as you. I don’t think using your Chase Freedom CC at Costco Gas would count as gas, I think it would code as wholesale. Q1 2020 looks like a pass to me.
It counted as Gas in Q3 of this year. Just double checked the transaction and it received bonus points.
That’s good to hear, I’m glad it codes as gas. Maybe I will use my Chase Freedom after all.
Costco Gas does count as gas station.
Same boat with CIC and Citi Costco. Throw in that I have the Amex BCP for streaming and this category really misses the target (for me).
Everyone is in a different situation but I was really hoping for Grocery or Warehouse. Oh well, at least Discover has grocery for Q1.
I mean, 5x on three $500 VGCs. Take those to your grocery store? 🙂
As for 4% with the Costco card vs 5x Chase: Let’s ignore the fact that the Chase points are easily worth twice as much when transferred to partners (and almost twice as much when used through the Chase portal with the CSR). Even if you only value the Chase points at 1c each, it represents a 25% greater rebate. If I told you I have a coupon code for $40 off of $100 or $50 off of $100, which would you take? Of course you’d take the coupon code for $50 off because it’s ten bucks more — the same 25% difference, just on a larger scale.
Now let’s consider if you spent the full $1500. With the Costco card, you’ll get $60 back — enough money to buy sixty dollars worth of stuff. With the Freedom, you’ll get 7,500 points — enough for two nights at an off-peak Category 1 Hyatt once they debut the off-peak pricing in March 2020. In most cases, $60 won’t buy you that.
Not everyone needs a Category 1 Hyatt and I understand that cash is king for some folks, and that’s fine. But even if cash is king for you, why wouldn’t you take $75 back (5% back) over $60 back (4% back)?
If you’re a Costco member and the Freedom doesn’t code at 5x at the Costco pumps, I can understand that. Even still, should be easy enough to make it profitable at a gas station somewhere during the first quarter with other purchases I’d imagine.
There aren’t any gas stations here that sell visa gift cards. So there’s that. Definitely YMMV I’m sure.
Yes 5x > 4% cashback you are right and no one will argue that point. My issues are:
1) Right now we don’t value Chase UR anywhere near 2x cashback. Key words are right now. Baby on the way, two young kids beyond that as well means it’s not going to be much of a year for travel. In fairness you also pointed this out. There’s also the annual fee on whichever placeholder card you use to maintain UR transferrability.
2) Time is valuable, especially when you have young kids for obvious reasons. My mental bandwidth is equally important and in limited supply. Hence there’s definitely an opportunity cost here to go the extra mile (figuratively and literally) to eek out the extra value.
I know this is a travel site and I’m in the minority here. But for us, with little to no major travel happening for probably a good year, I’m in easy mode and my time and energy are worth far more than what Q1 provides.
Same. With so many Staples no fee gift cards and Office Depot/Max (money maker) gift card offers, majority of my spend are now 5x. I don’t have the Freedom card and now I don’t think I need it if these office supply stores continue the trend of free fee gift cards.