The second quarter of 2026 will be a particularly fruitful period. Chase Freedom Flex® Cardholders who purchase from Amazon, Whole Foods Market, Chase Travel, or donate to Feeding America. This is a broad category that should appeal to just about everyone.
From April 1 to June 30, 2026, Freedom Flex cardholders will earn an additional 4% cash back in each of these categories. You can earn up to 9% cash back in total on Chase Travel purchases (as this card typically earns 5% on its spending), and 5% cash back on donations to Feeding America and purchases from Amazon and Whole Foods Market (standard Freedom Flex payments earn 1% back on these and most other types of spending).
Activation required. The additional 4% applies to up to $1,500 in total quarterly spending. Cardholders then earn standard cash back payments (1% with Amazon, Whole Foods Market, and Feeding America, and 5% with Chase Travel).
Let’s see how I myself can make the most of these categories and whether they can be useful for you.
Comprehensive categories for everything you need
This is the fifth year in a row that Amazon is one of Freedom Flex’s Q2 bonus categories. Amazon is a popular retailer with a wide selection of products, so this is likely to be the centerpiece of most cardholders’ Q2 rewards strategy.
It’s important to note that bonus categories are broadly defined, including not just Amazon.com, but Whole Foods Market (owned by Amazon), Amazon gift cards, Amazon Fresh orders, Amazon Prime subscriptions, and third-party sellers listed on Amazon.com.
As a result, many cardholders can make the most of their $1,500 limit by making purchases from Amazon and its various affiliates (note that activation is required) and earn $75 in cash back in the process. If your daily expenses aren’t up to par, consider buying gift cards or stocking up on non-perishable foods for future use.
During last year’s Amazon bonus quarter, my family spent $874 on eligible purchases and earned a total of $43.70 in cash back (4,370 Ultimate Rewards points, if you want to think of flex benefits in those terms). This year, I was able to earn more by following my own tips for pre-purchasing gift cards, toiletries, non-perishable foods, and more.
Of course, it’s important to avoid overspending and not leaving a balance (cards have fees). 18.24% – 27.74% variable April). You have to pay 18% (or more) interest just to earn 5% cashback.
Another note: If you have a card that offers more than 1% cash back on Amazon, remember to switch your default card from the Freedom Flex card once the promotion ends. Freedom Flex’s 5% earn rate makes it my best Amazon option for Q2, but for the rest of the year. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card In my case (2% unlimited cash benefit on all items).
If it’s within your budget and plans, now is the time to plan your future trips
This is the second time in three quarters that Chase Travel has been included in the Freedom Flex promotion bonus category. It’s clear that Chase is trying to promote what is already one of the world’s largest in-house travel booking engines.
Chase Travel is included in the boom and bust bonus calendar. The 5% daily reward is already attractive, but the increase to 9% in Q2 could be even more lucrative. However, planning a trip costs money and is usually not something you buy on impulse. In other words, this is not a $50 gift card charge to help you reach the bonus spending threshold. It should be a more calculated decision.
You can quickly reach the $1,500 limit, especially if you’re booking as a family. Assuming it’s money you would have spent anyway, a 9% return on a $1,500 travel booking (with activation) would put $135 back in your wallet. If you’re not going to travel in Q2, you might want to think ahead and book a trip for later in the year (perhaps with an eye toward summer travel or fall and winter vacations).
Precautions regarding avoiding overspending and debt again apply. Additionally, there are some drawbacks to using Chase Travel and other online travel agencies. Generally, these reservations do not earn hotel loyalty points and do not count towards your hotel’s elite status (although flight bookings may earn you airline miles and count towards your airline’s elite status). Also, if something goes wrong with your reservation (need to cancel, bad weather, etc.), you’ll have to deal with an intermediary (Chase Travel) rather than the airline or hotel. That can complicate things.
Still, many people love Chase Travel, and these reservations could be a good way to get value for your Freedom Flex card in Q2. Know what’s in store before you book.
Do good deeds, earn rewards and get tax breaks
For the second consecutive quarter, charities have featured on Freedom Flex’s list of bonus categories. In the first quarter it was the American Heart Association, and this quarter it’s Feeding America. Although unusual for a credit card bonus category, providing food to hungry families who cannot otherwise afford it is a great cause.
If you would like to contribute, it will certainly be appreciated. And get an extra 4% back when you use the Freedom Flex card (up to $1,500 in bonus categories and activations).
Another sweetener is the expansion of tax credits that took effect this year. For the 2026 tax year, married non-item filers can deduct $2,000 in cash contributions if married filing jointly ($1,000 if single).
conclusion
The Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories for Q2 2026 are an interesting mix of routine and extraordinary spending categories. There’s something for everyone, especially with the broad appeal of Amazon and its affiliates. As long as you avoid interest charges and overspending, credit card rewards can give you free money in exchange for purchases you would have made anyway.
That’s what I like most about cashback credit cards. Whether it’s buying groceries, birthday presents, clothing, household goods, or anything else, if you get some of that spending back, you’re actually going to get it back over time. In my case, it cost nearly $3,000 last year.
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