Discover Q4 5% Categories: Amazon & Target

Discover has released their rotating 5% categories for the fourth quarter of 2023:

  • Amazon.com 
  • Target – Not very useful for someone who already has the 5% Target REDcard. It can still be useful for buying Target gift cards at Target which do not earn 5% on the Target REDcard.

Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Amazon.com and Target from 10/1/23 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 12/31/23, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Amazon.com purchases include those made through the Amazon.com checkout, like digital downloads, Amazon Fresh orders, Amazon Local Deals, Amazon Prime subscriptions, and items sold by third party merchants through Amazon.com’s marketplace. This also includes purchases in-store at Amazon Go. Amazon, the Amazon.com logo, the smile logo and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Target purchases include those made in store at Target, Target.com, or through the Target app. Purchases from individual merchants and stand-alone stores within physical Target locations may not be eligible for this promotion. Purchases made online or through the Target app from Target affiliates, individual merchants or stand-alone stores may not be eligible for this promotion, including, but not limited to, targetoptical.com and targetphoto.com.

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Amanda
Amanda (@guest_1686674)
September 5, 2023 23:22

Just a reminder that Affinity Federal Credit Union’s rewards credit card gives 5% back at Amazon (and bookstores generally) year round, with no annual fee, no $ amount limit, and no Prime membership requirement. Also has a $200 spend bonus.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ia-only-affinity-federal-credit-union-credit-card-200-bonus-5-on-bookstores-including-amazon/

There is also a $100 bonus if you are referred first to open their cash back debit card checking account as a new customer, and receive a direct deposit. I recommend doing that first and then applying for the credit card second.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/affinity-federal-credit-union-100-referral-bonus/

Jon
Jon (@guest_1684742)
September 2, 2023 12:52

This actually works out a bit better than the Redcard as you get 5% back + 1% Circle rewards on the full purchase total

luvsdeals
luvsdeals (@guest_1684741)
September 2, 2023 12:48

Is there a way or a list to see which gift cards at Target are not eligible for the 5% Red Card discount that way I can use Discover for those cards.

Celia
Celia (@guest_1684752)
September 2, 2023 13:13

AFAIK, only Target gift cards don’t earn the Red Card discount.

I like using Discover regardless since their rewards can be redeemed for discounted gift cards.

Ian
Ian (@guest_1684787)
September 2, 2023 14:57

What are usually the best/most popular discounted gift card offers using discover?

Celia
Celia (@guest_1684842)
September 2, 2023 17:49

I usually use for Macys/LLBean/Staples (42.50 for 50.00) or Bath and Body Words ($20 for $25). I think the 20% added value is usually the highest. I’ve picked up Walmart before as well (5% added value).

Gerald
Gerald (@guest_1684897)
September 2, 2023 21:30

I’ve got Nike at 80% and resold it at 82.5%. It give a slight boost to the 5% Discover pays (5.16%).

Jeremy
Jeremy (@guest_1684733)
September 2, 2023 12:22

Agree with red card and Prime/BoA Cash Rewards not very useful

0x539
0x539 (@guest_1684907)
September 2, 2023 22:28

To be fair, BoA Cash Rewards makes most store cards useless as long as you order online.

Gabriel
Gabriel (@guest_1685106)
September 3, 2023 13:36

not if you don’t have 100k to park

Andy
Andy (@guest_1684685)
September 2, 2023 10:04

Doing my best to max out the current category, even if I end up having to buy GCs to do so. I just wish other companies like Chase would feel the need to compete, and make digital wallets a category. ‘Course they would end up doing it in the same quarter, somewhat defeating the purpose. Given the choice between giving business to Discover and Chase, Discover is always first in my book.

Lrdx
Lrdx (@guest_1684553)
September 2, 2023 01:16

The Target Red card is just 4% cash back, as you don’t get the 1% Target Circle earnings if you pay with it. Also Discover rewards are worth more than $1/rewards dollar, as you can get 5-20% bonus for gift card redemptions.

Ian
Ian (@guest_1684788)
September 2, 2023 14:58

Do they really offer a 20% bonus redemption sometimes? For what cards?

John
John (@guest_1684411)
September 1, 2023 18:35

Do Apple or Home Depot gift cards count for this bought on target.com?

SF
SF (@guest_1684370)
September 1, 2023 17:06

without the target redcard, this would be good for when there are deals on apple gc at target. although i did prefer the digital wallet category since i could use that at target…

mangorunner
mangorunner (@guest_1684756)
September 2, 2023 13:25
  SF

Aw, the digital wallet category was sweeeeeet!

Eric S.
Eric S. (@guest_1684276)
September 1, 2023 15:03

While I’ll definitely use it at Target (have another card for Amazon), I can sympathize with those who are underwhelmed—this seems to be the first “category” for Discover this year that has felt much narrower and obviously merchant-specific. Generally, that has been my gripe with the Freedom/Freedom Flex categories for a long time (Lowe’s instead of the broader home improvement category, Walmart instead of Walmart and some other retailers or general categories). I’m a little surprised Discover didn’t have Walmart.com in Q4 as they usually do (glad Target is online and in-store though).

It is interesting that this year, Discover didn’t have a PayPal category. I swore of PayPal years ago, so *for me*, I’m sort of glad that we’re not seeing cards lean so heavily on it, but I know that’s been a favorite among many for Chase and Discover. Perhaps this is the start of issuers trying new things for rewards as a whole? It’s gonna be interesting in about two weeks when Chase releases their categories.

Eric V
Eric V (@guest_1684272)
September 1, 2023 14:55

Booooooooooo