I say this every year, but it’s hard to believe that the end of the year is already here. Case in point, the Chase Freedom Q1 2025 bonus categories are already open for registration. That said, it’s more of the same as we’ve seen in recent years, but with an extra one tacked on for their 15th anniversary.
First up, let’s talk about the anniversary. As far as I know, the quarterly rotating 5% bonus categories launched in May 2009, which would mean May 2024 marks the 15th anniversary of the program. Other milestones of the program include the launch of the original Freedom card in 2006, along with its replacement by the Freedom Flex in 2020. So, I’m a little confused about what 15th anniversary this truly is.
At any rate, the Chase Freedom Q1 2025 bonus categories are fairly predictable nowadays, as they’re virtually the same every year now. In fact, here’s how things went the past few years:
- 2024: grocery stores, fitness clubs/gyms, and self care (salons, spas, manicures, etc.)
- 2023: grocery stores, fitness clubs/gyms, and Target
- 2022: grocery stores and Walmart
So, who wants to take a stab at what the Chase Freedom Q1 2025 bonus categories are? I’ll give you a hint: three are returning categories, while there’s a new fourth category.
Chase Freedom Q1 2025 Bonus Categories
If you guess that grocery stores and fitness clubs/gyms would be part of the Chase Freedom Q1 2025 bonus categories again, you’d be right! Also staying is a portion of the self care set, which now consists of hair, nails, and spa services. The new fourth category is another brand-specific one like McDonalds from Q4 2024. This time, though, it’s a much bigger ticket type of branch – Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL).
Snark for the repetition aside, I find it hard to be mad about these bonus categories, as it’ll be quite easy to max them out, especially for an average family buying groceries – I do always love seeing this category. That said, NCL? Really?!
I’m not really a cruise person, but aren’t most cruises over the $1,500 5% bonus spending limit? That’d make maxing out this bonus category incredibly easy for the cruise fans among us, but would also mean you blow way past the 5% earning limit and earn just 1% on the remainder of the purchase, unless you purchase an NCL gift card an apply that balance to your purchase and pay for the rest with a different credit card.
Final Thoughts
With how expensive everything is nowadays, it’s nice to have a bonus on necessities like groceries. In fact, that combined with the returning self care merchant types will make this set of bonus categories incredibly easy for me to maximize. The one I won’t use at all is the NCL category. But, I’m fine with a very niche category like that thanks to the other far more flexible ones on offer. However, for those of you who do decide to take advantage of the NCL category, just be mindful of what I mentioned earlier and try to plan out your purchase accordingly.
Speaking of NCL cruises, my podcasting partner just went on the NCL Pride of America cruise around the main Hawaiian islands. For those of you interested, he’ll be discussing his experience on the cruise on an upcoming episode of our Da Kine Travel Show on Spotify. It actually sounds like a good time!
At any rate, what do you all think of the first set of bonus categories for the New Year? Are you a fan? Do you like the predictability of these categories? And what the heck do you think the 15-year celebration is for?
Don’t forget to register at chasebonus.com!