As I first reported a few weeks ago, the Chase Freedom calendar for 2015 has now been released
Background on Chase Freedom bonus categories
If you’re not aware, if you have the Chase Freedom card (I picked one up a few months ago), each quarter, there are specific categories that will earn you 5% for the duration of the quarter. You can earn the 5% bonus on up to $1500 of spend each quarter (7500 Ultimate Rewards points). Anything above and beyond the first $1500 spent will just get the regular 1% bonus.
The 5% bonus category right now (4th quarter of 2014) is at Amazon.com and department stores such as Sears. I am taking advantage of that currently with the 12x at Sears through the United MileagePlus shopping portal, hopefully earning 29x points on my spend.
(SEE ALSO: Earning miles through shopping portals)
Chase Freedom calendar 2015
I first posted about this a few weeks ago, when an enterprising user on reddit managed to do some URL manipulation to find the Chase Freedom calendar for 2015. At that time, we didn’t know if this would be official or not, but it has now been posted on the official Chase Freedom calendar 2015 site.
The Chase Freedom calendar 2015 for the 1st quarter (January – March) will be: Grocery stores, Starbucks and movie theaters. Of those, grocery stores would seem to be the most lucrative, as there are plenty of gift cards and other manufactured spending opportunities at grocery stores. You do have to activate this bonus, which is usually done mid-month the month before the quarter starts (so in a week or two).
10% checking bonus on purchases
Currently, if you have a Chase checking account, you get a 10% bonus on your accrued miles, but Chase has indicated that will go away as of 2015, so you only have a limited time to take advantage of the extra 10%.
Great no-fee card to keep your Chase Ultimate Rewards
I had a Chase Ink and Chase Sapphire card over the past year, but when their annual fees came due, I decided to cancel those cards and transfer my Ultimate Rewards points over to my Freedom card.
(READ: How to hide an inactive Chase account online)
(READ: Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards between accounts before closing an account)
Chase Freedom refer a friend
Right now the Chase Freedom signup bonus is up to 20,000 Ultimate Rewards, which is high as I’ve ever seen it. If you already have the card, you can also sign up to see if you are eligible to earn a 5,000 mile bonus for referring friends to get the card.
(READ: Chase Refer a Friend is back! Get your own Freedom $200 bonus refer a friend link!)
(READ: Chase Refer-a-Friend: Active offers to get free miles) – there are a few other Chase cards that also are offering refer a friend bonuses.
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Is there any reason you didn’t just downgrade your cards to the fee-free versions (Sapphire and Ink Cash)? The Sapphire (not Preferred) may be gone now, but Ink Cash is still available.
I actually tried to downgrade my Ink card to the Ink Cash and they wouldn’t let me. They said I’d have to apply for a new one. See also: Why can’t I downgrade my Chase Ink Plus?)
Thanks for the info. Very interesting. I’ll have to see if I can get a retention offer when my fee comes due.