Earning 5% Cash Back with Discover
Discover offers a rotating 5% cash back program on certain categories, available for eligible cardholders. To earn 5% cash back, you need an eligible Discover it or Discover it more card, such as the Discover it Cash Back or Discover it Student Cash Back. To participate, log in to your Discover account and activate the 5% bonus cash-back categories each quarter.
How It Works
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending in specific categories, such as restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores, during each quarter.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Set up email alerts and calendar reminders to avoid forgetting to activate the cash-back categories each quarter.
- Earning 5% cash back is limited; after reaching the $1,500 spending cap, the cash-back rate drops to 1%.
Cash-Back Calendar for 2024 and 2025
- Q1 2024: Restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, and public transit
- Q2 2024: Closed
- Q3 2024: Walmart (in-store and online), grocery stores, and grocery delivery services
- Q4 2024: Amazon.com and Target
- Q1 2025: Restaurants, home improvement stores, and select streaming services
Alternative Credit Cards
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: Earn 6.5% cash back on travel, 4.5% on drugstore purchases, and 3% on all other purchases, with a welcome bonus.
- Citi Double Cash: Earn 2% cash back on all purchases, with a welcome bonus and 5% cash back on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel℠.
Citi Custom Cash Card
- Earn 5% cash back on the top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back on all other purchases.