Discover Q3 2024 5% Categories: Grocery Stores & Walmart

Discover has released their rotating 5% categories for the third quarter of 2024, up to $1,500 in purchases:

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  • Now they for Q4 are telling the next category half a month in advance instead of a month before it starts. I could see waiting to the third of the month seeing tomorrow is a holiday. When they released the whole year calendar last year it made it something to see about applying for when you know what your getting. It is getting later and later.

  • Does anyone know what happened to the ability to switch discover card types online? Pretty annoying that has been offline for so long.

    • Switch something like the Chrome IT card to a regular IT card or a Miles card to regular IT card? Never personally tried that by any method.

      If you don't already have two active account it maybe better to get the cash back match sign up bonus on a second account. Or close one out and open another as last known you can churn new account numbers.

      If your talking about switch between accounts on the online portal have not had any issues of late and if you have emails on file for each account (the system forces you to after 30 days) when logged in that I would call showing all account has again not been an issue.

  • The problem is on liquidating these days on manufacturing spending. cards locking up etc. 

    • Taxes, this is perfect for September 15 estimated tax. 2 payments per processor per quarter, three processors, six payments.

    • You could buy a 500.00 WM gift card and use it at Sam's and for WM online purchases if you can't liquidate. Plus buy some Gulf and/or Mobil or Shell gift cards. You will then get the cash price at the pump. Grocery stores also sell AMZN and many other gift cards.

      • You need to hope that your gift card won't get stolen. Otherwise, you lost 100% for saving 5%.

        • well, I keep the 25.00 card in my wallet. I get the cash price in upstate NY and Danbury CT area. Been doing this for years with BCP (6% in groceries) cards and never had a gas card "stolen". And pump tells you the value on the card when inserting card.

        • Just load the gift cards to your Walmart account immediately once you've received it.

          • Don't think this prevents a Walmart gift card from being used elsewhere, like how Amazon gift cards work for example.

          • @guest_1853965 I didn't think Amazon cards could be used if loaded onto an account. I know Walmart can.

          • It seems that you misunderstood the comment from @guest_1853965.

            They were saying that Amazon gc cannot be used by someone else after being loaded to your account but WM gc can.

        • My friend’s son received 3 gift cards as high school commencement presents. All 3 had been drained by the time he tried to use them.

        • If I do use these quarterly bonuses to buy gift cards, I usually buy them in increments rather than a large denomination just because of the potential of losing or being hacked (though it hasn't happened).

      • Is that true? The Shell cards give you the cash price at the pump? Do the pumps also know the exact amount on the card and only pump they much $ worth or do you need to do anything extra? You know if you get Fuel Rewards on Shell gift cards also?

        • The Shell gc giving the cash price is a YMMV situation. There was 1 station that I went to once a while ago where I was charged the "Credit" price when I used my Shell gc. However, it is very likely that you will get the "Cash" price.

          The pump will know the amount so that's not something that you need to worry about.

          Did you mean to ask if you are able to use your FR alongside the Shell GC? If so, the answer is "Yes".

          • Appreciate the response. Good to know on the gas cards. So if my tank fills before the gift card runs out, presume it will only deduct that amount? May just start buying Shell gift cards at Staples w/ Ink Cash vs. random cards that offer 5% like Discover or a Freedom card, especially if I can get the cash price.

          • Yes.

            You can even email Shell to request that they combine the balance of multiple Shell gc.

            BP does not allow that, which is very annoying when you are left with < $5 on a gc.

          • "You can even email Shell to request that they combine the balance of multiple Shell gc."

            @guest_1855342, that is a great tip! If you don't mind, would you please share Shell's email address?

            Do you list each card number and the balance in your email, then ask them to combine? Anything else I need to include?

            Do you receive a reply? About how long does it take? And do they tell you which card has all the loot?

            Thanks!

          • @guest_1857942,

            Before I answer your questions, I would like to let you know that it's nice to find someone just as inquisitive (if not more so) than I am. :)

            Email ShellGCBO@firstdata.com scans/pictures of each of your gc. Make it clear to them that you want to combine the balance of all of your gc into the gc ending in XXXX.

            BTW, you might want to request a Shell gc from them that carries a larger balance. The regular $25 and $50 cards likely only carry that amount. They mailed me a card a while ago that can have up to $300 on it, I think.

            They do send a reply once the merge happens. It usually takes under a week.

          • This is a lot of helpful information! I get Shell gas cards a lot, so I appreciate the how-to tips, and especially the one about getting a high-denomination card. Thanks, @guest_1858047.

            Gas was $3.09 when I filled up yesterday. Back to $3.19 today... it's rare that I hit the pump at the low. Woohoo!

          • ...or you could make life a lot easier by just getting an Abound Credit Union Visa (nationwide) that pays 5% on gas all the time with no limit, including Costco and BJ's. Haven't tried Sam's Club but probably works there too.

          • Life is easy. Discover, Chase and BoA give me 5% cashback on gas year-round. (Plus Shell Fuel Rewards.)

            The Shell gift cards come from other cashback purchases and rewards redemptions.

          • That's great to hear. Seems like aside from a slight hassle of buying these gift cards it may be the way to go moving forward. Still get 5x, but also save at the pump. Appreciate the info!

  • Good categories for both organic spend + getting gift cards at grocery stores or Walmart to also lock in the 5%

  • It's always nice when Chase or Discover or Citi offer multiple great choices for the quarterly categories. This is certainly one of those times.