Update 3/31/21: Added FCU categories.
It’s now possible to activate/enroll all 5% category credit cards for the second quarter of 2021, including the Chase Freedom, Chase Freedom Flex, Discover IT, Citi Dividend, US Bank Cash+ and a few others. In this post we’ll provide the activation link for each card and links to track your spend, along with strategies to help increase spend in these categories.
Dates: April 1st – June 30, 2021. Store purchases can usually be done until the last minute. Online purchases should be given a buffer zone of a day or two.
Contents
Chase Freedom – Gas, Home Improvement
Activation Link / FAQ / Sample Stores & Exclusions / Our original post
With your Freedom and Freedom Flex cards, earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in spend at gas stations and home improvement stores.
- Gas Stations – Includes Exxon, Shell, BP, 7-Eleven, Quiktrip, Raceway, Royal Farms and many others; see a long list of examples here. Looks like many convenience stores will count for this, and they might sell gift cards too; do a small test to be sure.
- Home Improvement Stores – Includes Lowes, Home Depot and many others; see a long list of examples here. Online purchases should work as well.
Tip: Click this link (login required) to check how far you are along the $1,500.
Discover – Gas, Wholesale Clubs, Streaming Services
Activation Link / Our original post
With your Discover card, earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases at Gas Stations, Wholesale Clubs, and Streaming Services.
- Gas Stations – Works for pump and inside payments which makes it easier to use as it may work for purchases from the convenience store at a gas station (perhaps for a gift card purchase there as well).
- Wholesale Clubs – Probably includes online wholesale club purchases too. Costco does not accept Discover in-club, but you should be able to buy a Costco Cash card online with a Discover card and use it that way.
- Streaming Services – includes only the following U.S. streaming subscriptions: Apple Music, Apple TV+, AT&T TV Now, BET+, CBS All Access, DAZN, Disney +, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Google Play Movies & TV, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Philo, Peacock TV, Showtime, Sirius XM, Starz, Sling, Spotify, Vudu, YouTube TV.
Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Gas Stations (stand-alone), Wholesale Clubs and Select Streaming Services from 4/1/21 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 6/30/21, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Purchases made at Gas Stations include only merchants in the category that sell automotive gasoline that can be paid for either at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets and supercenters may not be eligible. Check with your Wholesale Clubs to make sure your Discover card is accepted. Purchases of affiliated Wholesale Club services, such as delivery services, travel and cell phone purchases, may not be eligible in this category. Individual merchants and stand-alone stores within physical Wholesale club locations, or online, may not be eligible in this category. Select Streaming Services purchases include only the following select U.S. streaming subscriptions: Apple Music, Apple TV+, AT&T TV Now, BET+, CBS All Access, DAZN, Disney +, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Google Play Movies & TV, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Philo, Peacock TV, Showtime, Sirius XM, Starz, Sling, Spotify, Vudu, YouTube TV. If your subscription is bundled with another product or service, billed by a third party (such as a digital platform, a cable or satellite provider, telecommunications, internet provider or a car manufacturer), the purchase may not be eligible in this category. Add-ons associated with Select Streaming Services may not qualify for this promotion if they are not listed, billed in a bundle, separately or through a third party. Listed merchants are in no way sponsoring or affiliated with this program.
Citi Dividend – Supermarket, Drugstores
Landing Page | Our Original Post
With your Dividend card, earn 5% back this quarter at Supermarkets and Drugstores. Citi is different than the other cards in that you have a $6,000 annual cap rather than a $1,500 quarterly cap. Thus, you can get 5% back on up to $6,000 in this quarter, you can save the entire amount for a different quarter, or you can use part up each quarter. A lot of people will max out their full year on this quarter given how easy it is to spend at grocery stores and drugstores.
- Supermarkets – groceries are always a useful category. Plus, you can buy gift cards in many supermarkets as well.
- Drugstores – drugstores often sell a wide variety of gift cards which makes the category easy to use.
US Bank Cash+/Elan – Select your Categories
Activation link | Merchant List | Our Original Post
U.S. Bank Cash+ and Elan Max offer 5% cash back in two categories, up to $2,000 combined total per quarter. Keep in mind that Car Rentals was recently replaced with TV, Internet, and Streaming Services.
Here are the current options:
- TV, Internet, and Streaming Services
- Home utilities
- Select clothing stores
- Cell phone providers
- Electronic Stores
- Gyms/Fitness
- Fast food
- Ground Transportation
- Sporting goods
- Department Stores
- Furniture Stores
- Movie theaters
Tip: Login here, then scroll down and click on the red “View Your Cash+ History” button.
Bank of America Cash Rewards
The Cash Rewards card from Bank of America offers 3% back on one selected category, up to $2,500 per quarter. If you don’t select anything it defaults to gas. Once you selected a category for one quarter, that remains your category in the future unless you change it. Each calendar month you can change it if you’d like, but you’re always limited to $2,500 for the entire quarter.
- Gas (default)
- Online Shopping
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug Stores
- Home Improvement/Furnishings
This category is especially lucrative for those who have Preferred Rewards status with Bank of America which can get you 5.25% back on one of these categories at the higher relationship level.
Lots of useful categories here. Important note: the Cash Rewards card also offers 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to $2,500 per quarter, and that $2,500 limit combines with the Category Selection limit. After spending $2,500, you’ll earn 1% back on everything.
Other Cards with 5% Category
ABOC – Home Improvement, Gardening, Select Online Retailers
Registration Link | Our Original Post
- Earn 5x points on qualifying home improvement, gardening, and selected online retailers. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.
Nusenda FCU – Restaurants, Home Improvement, Movies
Landing Page | Our Original Post
- Earn 5% this quarter on Restaurants, Home Improvement stores, and Movies on up to $1,500 in purchases.
Affinity FCU – Add Me
Landing Page | Our Original Post
- Earn 5% this quarter on purchases at Clothing & Accessories, Home Improvement/Supplies, Drug Stores on up to $3,500 in purchases.
The 5x is on top of regular earn for a total of 6x or 7x, depending on the card.
Vantage West [AZ] – Select your Category
Landing Page | Our Original Post
Get 5x points on the category of your choice, up to $1,500 per quarter. Eligible categories:
- Travel
- Restaurants
- Utilities [water, cell, electric, etc.]
- In-Store Wholesale Purchases [Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.]
- Department Stores
- Hardware & Home Improvement Stores
- Charitable Organizations
- Pharmacies & Drug Stores
- Amazon.com
Can you reload bluebird at walmart with Amex Gift Card?
No
I’ve done this and it does work. I bought the Amex gift card from Sam’s Club.
For the 5x at gas stations, can anyone share how to MS at Speedway? I don’t have them nearby my home but they’re around my in-laws and places I travel sometimes. They have a lot of prepaid and reloadable cards (netSpend Prepaid Visa, PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, MyVanilla Reloadable Prepaid, GreenDot Reloadable Prepaid Visa/Cash Back Visa/Pay As You Go Visa, GoBank Bank Account, MoneyPak) but I’m not sure what actually works here and don’t have a lot of time in these places to do trial runs. Definitely appreciate any insights!
Does Citi Dividend card 5% cb work for Walmart Neighborhood stores (mainly selling groceries)? Is there anyone tried? Recently got the card and really appreciate if could see a dp prior to my curbside pickup. 🙂
It worked for me in 2020. It probably has not changed.
What do you mean you recently got the card? Are you saying you were able to PC to it?
I just want to say thank you for posting nitty-gritty card details like this. My husband sometimes gets annoyed because of how many cards we have, which ones to spend on at which stores, etc., but we’ve saved so much money with these cash-back offers and maximizing point-redemption. Really appreciate it!
Our lovely family and friends want free money to fall out of the sky. I try to get them to open a credit card with their credit score that is going to waste. Yet they say no to “free” money.
“I don’t spend that much money.”
“I don’t shop at target.”
“I don’t want a credit card.”
“I don’t get that much gas.”
“I don’t travel.”
“I use my debit card.”
Totally missing the point.
For the us bank cash+, I know newegg.com and best buy qualify for the 5%, but will Amazon qualify for it under the electronic store category?
No, Amazon.com is categorized as a bookstore, believe it or not. I wish it qualified as an electronic store or another 5% category with the US Bank Cash+ considering how much we shop there.
Affinity pays 5% back on Amazon as part of it’s normal earning structure, capped at $3500 spend per month.
Affinity Cash Rewards Visa Signature: Cardholders will earn 5% cash back (which is the equivalent to 5 points for every $1 spent) on purchases made for clothing & accessories, home supplies including Home Depot and Lowe’s, and drug store merchants on up to $3,500 during the promotional period of April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 (excluding gift cards); in addition, cardholders will earn 2% cash back (which is equivalent to 2 points for every $1 spent) for all supermarket purchases (excluding gift cards), restaurant purchases, and gas station purchases, and for all purchases made on watch, listen and ride services, such as Netflix, Spotify and Uber; in addition, cardholders will receive 1% cash back per every $1 spent on everything else. The cash back is issued in the form of points. These points can be redeemed for cash back deposited to your savings account, checking account, or as principal credit to your credit card account by July 31, 2021 for the prior month’s activity. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply.
Affinity Pure Rewards Visa and Affinity Hillsborough Visa: In addition to the standard points cardholders earn (1 point per $1 spent or 2 points per $1 spent if you qualify for EvenMore perks), cardholders will receive 5 bonus points per $1 spent for purchases made for clothing & accessories, home supplies including Home Depot and Lowe’s, and drug store merchants on up to $3,500 during the promotional period April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 (excluding gift cards). Learn more about EvenMore perks by visiting affinityfcu.com/more. Standard points will be credited normally (the day following the purchase); bonus points will be credited by July 31, 2021 for the prior month’s activity. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply.
Wow I literally checked that 10 minutes before your post, and they still only listed the Q1 categories.
They emailed card members a couple of days ago about the new categories.
Edit: nvm, solved
Does anybody know, regarding Discover CC, if you still get 5% back if you buy Costco and Sam’s Gift Cards at the warehouse?
I figured if I didn’t find enough to buy there then I could just spend the rest on the gift cards and give them out for gifts this year. Actually, I think they sell gift cards there for local restaurants…………….so would those count for the 5% also?
You can only use Visa at Costco warehouse. But online you can use your Discover CC and buy any gift cards including Costco
Thanks, I forgot about only being able to use Visa.
Affinity FCU hi-5 Q2 categories:
https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Affinity-FCU-Cash-Rewards-5-Cat-s-Q2/td-p/6290935
Updated now, thanks
I used to use the cash+ at movie theaters often.
The movies are still closed Thank G-d
US bank is sock drawer at least a year as it should be
Utilities anyone?
Like other places, the power monopoly here doesn’t take CC. I use Arcadia power and the Cash+. They collect your energy bill, pay it, and you pay them with CC. Than they sell Renewable Energy Credits to polluters.
Typing this out I realized Arcadia’s 100% wind program now costs $5/month. I have been paying about $8/month on the old %100 wind plan. Time to send an email.
Very much recommend their services. It gives you all the social proof of ‘going green.’ without any real cost.
My referral link is the ‘arcadia power’ here on this site if someone wants to sign up.
I felt stupider and stupider reading this.
Anyone know if YouTube Premium is also eligible for the Discover 5%? Probably not as I only see “YouTube TV”, which is a separate subscription from YouTube Premium. Guess I will not be using the Discover IT card in the 2nd quarter since the Chase Freedom will also get 5% at gas stations in the 2nd quarter, I don’t have any warehouse memberships, and I don’t have any streaming services other than YouTube Premium.
I did youtube premium india, $1/month for individual. Then change the country back to USA
Thank you, thank you, thank you. ₹129/month and keeping the Penfed Pathfinder alive.