How does Chase freedom card work?

I have a chase freedom credit card, and I noticed on the Chase Rewards website, that there is a Tab called "Earn Rewards Faster." basically if I use my credit card and make purchases from select merchants, like Nike, or Ralph Lauren, or Sunglass Hut, I can earn more points than the usual 1 point per dollar. My question is, do we HAVE to make purchases through Chases’s website, or do we automatically get the extra points if we buy stuff from the store directly, or the merchants website?

The "benefit" of the Chase Freedom card is you get a higher amount of points back for "everyday purchases" at gas stations, supermarkets, and drug stores. It used to be 3% (or 3 points) but this may have changed. It is usually never a "better deal" to buy things through the shopping network on the credit card’s website - unless it is something you were going to buy anyway, sometimes it may save you a little money through the rewards program. And yes, you have to go through the chase site to get those extra points.

Here is a good article about rewards programs in general, and things to consider when selecting and using them:

http://www.creditinfocenter.com/cards/credit-card-rewards-rebates.shtml

Good luck!