We’re halfway through December, which means it’s time once again for another round of Chase Freedom bonus categories. But, the Chase Freedom Q1 2019 Bonus categories are really underwhelming, in my opinion.
Actually, the fact that the Chase Freedom Q1 2019 bonus categories are underwhelming shouldn’t come as a surprise. They’ve been getting progressively worse, in my opinion, for the past few years now. 2018 wasn’t too bad, though, as Chase Pay was a bonus category for what felt like the majority of the year. That no longer appears to be the case, though, as we head into the New Year. So without further adieu, here are the new bonus categories.
Q1 2019 Bonus Categories
For the first quarter of 2019, we continue to have three bonus categories available to us. Those categories include gas stations, drug stores, and tolls. Yes, tolls. I get that Chase wants to build easy habits with automatic, recurring transactions, but man. That’s a lame bonus category! At least Q1 2018’s categories included all major digital wallets.
Gas stations and drug stores aren’t so bad, though, as most of us frequent these types of merchants. However, unless you’re purchasing gift cards to manufacture points, it’s going to be difficult to reach the $1,500 limit in the upcoming quarter. Which begs the question; is Chase trying to make the Freedom less appealing? Is this gradual decline going to eventually result with the product going away altogether? Or are they going to make up for this terrible quarter with better ones throughout 2019? Only time will tell.
Chase Freedom Q1 2019 Bonus Categories, Final Thoughts
As underwhelming as the Q1 2019 bonus categories are, they actually make life a little easier for me. As you’ll recall, I dumped my EveryDay Preferred card in favor of the Amex (Rose) Gold card, and with it went my ability to earn bonuses on gas purchases. However, with the Chase Freedom Q1 2019 bonus categories, that’s another quarter I’ll be able to receive a bonus on gas station spend. Will I be able to maximize the bonus categories? Almost certainly not, especially since I don’t do manufactured spending. But I’m trying to look at things glass half full here, so yeah. Let’s just leave it at that!
Activate your Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categories here: Chase Freedom Activation