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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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5 reasons I'm thrilled Target is a Chase rotating category this quarter
Ashley writes sponsored content for TPG and is also a family travel advocate. Formerly a contributor at Condé Nast Traveler and Matador Network, Ashley also had a family travel blog for four years before coming to TPG in 2021. She travels almost exclusively with her husband and two young kids but can also be seen enjoying solo trips to far-flung places like Costa Rica and Austria. Ashley loves storytelling and any opportunity to share travel stories at TPG. A hopeful polyglot, Ashley has a graduate degree in Spanish and currently studies French. Next up: Italian.
January 11, 2023 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
This quarter, select cards offer elevated rewards at Target, supermarkets and fitness clubs on up to $1,500 in qualifying purchases after activation.
Target is included as a bonus category for the first time, allowing cardholders to earn extra rewards on a wide range of purchases.
Frequent Target shoppers can benefit from earning on items like toys, beauty products, groceries, home decor and clothing.
The quarterly bonus categories rotate, providing new opportunities for maximizing rewards throughout the year.
What to consider
Activation is required to earn elevated rewards in these categories each quarter.
The bonus rate applies only to the first $1,500 in combined purchases across all featured categories per quarter.
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What you'll miss from the article
Tips for maximizing bonus rewards at Target and examples of qualifying purchases that can help you reach the quarterly cap.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Last month, when we were discussing the next set of quarterly bonus categories for the Chase Freedom (no longer available to new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex credit cards, my ears perked up at the mention that Target would be included as one of this quarter’s categories for the first time.
So when our team was discussing who was excited about the news and wanted to write about it, I volunteered as tribute. My colleague's encouraging comment that “moms love Target” may have helped. And she wasn’t wrong.
I am very excited that Target is one of this quarter's bonus spending categories — along with supermarkets and gym memberships — to earn 5% cash back or 5 points per dollar on up to $1,500 of qualifying purchases (activation required). Not only will I probably meet this maximum just from Target spending alone this quarter, I’ll enjoy every minute of it.
Here's why I'm happy that Target is finally included in Chase's quarterly bonus categories — and five ways I'll max out my points.
KATHERINE FAN/ THE POINTS GUY
How Chase’s rotating bonus categories work
Each quarter of the year, Chase announces bonus categories for purchases made with its Freedom and Freedom Flex credit cards. These rotating bonus categories — rotating because they change every quarter — give cardholders the chance to earn 5% cash back or 5 points per dollar on up to $1,500 spent on qualifying purchases.
This quarter, from Jan. 1 to March 1, Chase’s rotating bonus categories are Target, grocery stores, and fitness club and gym memberships. I am particularly excited about earning bonus points by shopping at Target.
Target has become what can only be described as a shopping destination. Shoppers can grab a Starbucks to sip on while shopping for groceries, clothes, home decor, prescriptions, school supplies and so much more. It’s almost a one-stop shop.
Here are the other items I like shopping for at Target.
While the holidays might be behind us, there’s no shortage of gift-giving events in my household during the first quarter of the year.
First up is my son’s birthday at the end of January. Just because we celebrated Christmas barely a month before isn’t a good enough reason not to spoil him again for his fifth birthday.
Next up is Valentine’s Day. I know, it's not typically that big of a deal for kids, but it’s a thing in our household.
Then Easter follows, when we have a tradition of decking out Easter baskets overflowing with plastic eggs filled with surprises, clothes for the spring and, you guessed it, toys.
Target is the new Toys"R"Us.
My favorite beauty and pharmacy products
In addition to Target’s already incredible selection of beauty products, including some of my favorite Black-owned beauty brands, Target has partnered with Ulta Beauty to install branded ministores in select stores.
Now, I’m not usually a huge fan of makeup, but as I’ve gotten older, I find myself more interested than ever in makeup and skincare. Target and Ulta’s wide array of brands present a convenient opportunity to try new products, not to mention that my daughter also loves painting her nails and we’re always looking for fun, new colors.
IRYNA VEKLICH/GETTY IMAGES
Target already had a department for toiletries and over-the-counter medicines and vitamins, but now shoppers can also pick up prescriptions and speak with a pharmacist at the CVS counter.
We consider Target a go-to during the cold and flu season when my local pharmacies are all out of children's cold remedies or Tylenol. It’s not always a guarantee that they’re stocked while other stores are not, but I appreciate that they’re an option and their hours are more favorable than the other stores I mentioned. This is especially convenient when it comes to running weekly errands.
Convenient groceries
Speaking of running weekly errands, I could also purchase my groceries at Target, though purchases at grocery stores will also earn 5% or 5 points per dollar this quarter with the Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex card. But shopping at Target is all about convenience, so it only makes sense that I might also pick up some last-minute grocery items when I pick up diapers or other necessities.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
While Target is not a grocery store, per se, I can’t remember a time I’ve gone into the grocery section and have been unable to find what I need. From snacks to coffee, fresh food items and even frozen food and dairy products, it’s often well stocked and much less busy than my local supermarket.
Home decor inspiration
In line with Target being a destination and shopping experience, after you’re done shopping for things you actually need, you can peruse the home decor aisles for inspiration. You’ll find exclusive collections from designers like Joanna Gaines and Justina Blakeney that can only be found at Target — and often only for a limited time.
Some items aren’t available in-store, but you can always buy them online and get them delivered to your home. You can decorate your home from top to bottom, from rugs to lights and everything in between — and you can do it all while earning 5% cash back or 5 points per dollar throughout this quarter.
Last-minute clothes
The final reason that I find myself at Target is the most likely reason I visit.
It’s inevitable that we will have a randomly warm day between now and Easter, which will send me into a panic because my kids' spring and summer clothes from last year no longer fit. I’ll make a mad dash to Target for things like short-sleeve shirts and possibly sandals just to get us through a few days before it’s back to milder temperatures.
Just like Target’s home section, its clothing section also carries its own brands and often only for a limited time. It seems like the selection changes from week to week, which is cool for variety but admittedly not for fast-fashion woes and environmental reasons.
In a pinch, I know that I can find clothes that my kids will want to wear when I shop at Target and I am rarely disappointed in the selection.
Bottom line
Chase’s rotating bonus categories for the first quarter of 2023 — Jan. 1 to March 31 — are Target, grocery stores, and fitness club and gym memberships.
As a frequent shopper at Target, I’m especially happy that the all-in-one store is finally included in Chase’s bonus categories to earn 5% cash back or 5 points per dollar on up to $1,500 in eligible purchases, after activation. Eligible cards include the Chase Freedom (no longer available to new applicants) and Chase Freedom Flex.
You can buy all kinds of things from Target, but I look forward to earning bonus points on toys, beauty products, groceries, home decor and clothes. Shoppers can also purchase seasonal items, towels and linens, electronics, books, gift cards and more.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
