Purchases that count as travel with Chase Freedom credit cards
Quick insights
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex® cards earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- Eligible cardmembers can book flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars and more through Chase Travel.
- Chase Freedom credit cards earn cash back rewards on all purchases (rates vary by credit card and quarterly bonuses).
For some consumers, it may be important to find a credit card that provides the ability to earn rewards on travel purchases. With some Chase Freedom credit cards, cardmembers can earn rewards on travel purchases through Chase Travel. This encompasses a range of different travel options, from flights and hotels to rental cars and more.
Below, we’ll discuss how cardmembers can earn accelerated rewards on travel booked through Chase Travel, in addition to some travel-related benefits available to Freedom cardmembers.
What counts as travel for Chase Freedom credit cards
While some credit cards offer the ability to earn points on any travel-related purchase, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex cards specifically earn accelerated rewards on purchases made through Chase Travel.
Some examples of travel you can purchase through Chase Travel include:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Rental cars
- Cruises
- Activities
- Vacation homes
While the Chase Freedom Rise® card does not have an accelerated earn rate for travel, it is a flat-rate cash back card that earns 1.5% on all purchases.
How to earn travel rewards with Chase Freedom credit cards
Depending on your Freedom credit card, you can earn up to 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel. Below, we break down earn rates by card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a cash back card that earns rewards on all purchases, including some spending categories that earn accelerated rewards, like Chase Travel.
Cardmembers earn:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery
- 3% cash back at drugstores
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, including general travel purchases
Cash back rewards are posted in cardmembers’ accounts as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points and can be redeemed for various options, including cash back, gift cards and travel through Chase Travel.
Chase Freedom Flex credit card
The Chase Freedom Flex card combines rotating bonus rewards categories with fixed bonus categories. Each quarter that cardmembers activate, they can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating bonus rewards categories. A few previous example categories include purchases at gas stations, grocery stores and department stores.
In addition, the card earns:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery
- 3% cash back at drugstores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Chase Freedom Rise credit card
The Chase Freedom Rise card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. While it doesn't have specific categories that earn accelerated rewards, the rewards it earns can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards and travel through Chase Travel.
Why use a Chase Freedom card for travel?
Beyond earning cash back on everyday purchases, Chase Freedom credit cards offer some travel and purchase protections. Protections vary by card but may include Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance and Extended Warranty Protection, for example. Read the card’s Guide to Benefits for complete information about travel and purchase protections available to cardmembers.
In summary
Chase Freedom credit cards enable cardmembers to earn cash back rewards on purchases. Some cards, like Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex, earn accelerated rewards on travel purchases when you book through Chase Travel.
