I have been using my Chase Freedom Card for my restaurants the third quarter of 2016, as restaurants were a 3rd quarter bonus category. Keep in mind, you only earn the 5% cash back or 5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points on up to $1,500 in purchases or a total of $75 cash back or 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. (Remember, your cash back earnings can be redeemed for Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you also have the Chase Ink Business Preferred or Chase Sapphire Preferred card.)
I was really careful about checking my statements as I did not want to go over that $1,500 restaurant spend as then I would only be earning one Ultimate Rewards point per $1 spent over the $1,500. My plan, once I went over $1,500, was to go back to my Chase Sapphire Preferred card in which I always earn 2x Ultimate Rewards points at restaurants.
Well I checked my spending periodically over the last 2 months and I nailed it! I just got my August statement and when combining it with my July statement, I spent $1,501 in restaurants. Compare this result to last year when I read my statements wrong and went way over the $1,500 for that quarter in groceries. I am getting better everyday at playing the game!