It’s now possible to activate all 5% category credit cards for the third quarter of 2026, including the Chase Freedom, Chase Freedom Flex, Discover IT, Citi Dividend, US Bank Cash+ and some smaller cards. In this post we’ll provide the activation link for each card, spend tracker links, and strategies to help increase spend within these categories.
Dates: October 1st – December 31, 2026. Store purchases can usually be done until the last minute while online purchases should be given a buffer zone since the charge typically posts on the shipping date.
Chase Freedom – Grocery, Dining
Activation Link / FAQ / Our original post
With the Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cards, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in spend on:
- Grocery – Always an easy one to use. Can also buy gift cards at grocery stores to maximize. (Note: Walmart and Target are excluded in the terms.)
- Dining – Another easy favorite for 5x earning.
- On the Freedom Flex, you always get 2x bonus (3x total) on Dining, and so for Q4 2026 you’ll end up getting 7x total (1x base + 2x bonus + 4x quarterly bonus).
- If you pay at a restaurant with your Freedom card on Paze (many restaurants are on Clover who accepts Paze), you should get 10x bonus from Paze + 5x from the quarterly category. On the Freedom Flex you should end up with 17x total. Wow!
- Red Cross donations – Reminder that starting in 2026 the IRS now allows a charitable deduction of up $1k/single or $2k/couple even for those who are not itemizing their deductions.
Tip: Click this link (login required) to check how far you are along the $1,500.
Discover – Utilities, Restaurants, Entertainment
Activation Link / Our original post
With the Discover card, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases on Utilities, Restaurants, and Entertainment.
- Utilities – Should work for things like electric, gas, and water bills. I like this category as these typically only get base earn on all cards. (Some people might use it for phone and internet as well; these aren’t as exciting since they are bonused on other cards.)
- Restaurants – Always a popular category. Not sure if UberEATS and DoorDash will count for this.
- Entertainment – Might be useful to some.
Tip: Login, then click this link to see you how far along the $1,500 you are.
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- Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and caterers. Restaurants located inside of or affiliated with another business, such as hotels or retail stores, and establishments classified as a bakery may not qualify.
- Entertainment purchases include ticket purchases at movie theaters, sports promoters (professional and semi-professional live events), theatrical promoters, concert promoters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, video rental locations, pool halls and bowling alleys. Tickets for or fees at golf courses, country clubs, some collegiate sporting events, charitable events, as well as cable and digital streaming and subscription services, amusement park tickets purchased on third-party sites, and entertainment and resort packages categorized as “travel” or “hotel” do not qualify.
- Utilities purchases include purchases for residential electricity, natural gas, and water service. Utilities purchases also include purchases made over the phone or online for internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile and landline phone service. Purchases at physical retail stores for internet, cable, satellite, and mobile and landline phone service do not qualify. Purchases made through third parties, such as through a landlord, property management company, or homeowners association, may not qualify. Purchases for home fuel delivery, standalone streaming services, some satellite phone and internet service, vehicle connectivity, accessories, or equipment may not qualify.
Citi Dividend – Dining, Citi Travel
Landing Page | Our Original Post
With the Citi Dividend card, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on . Citi is different than the other cards in that you have a $6,000 annual cap rather than a $1,500 quarterly cap. 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.
- Restaurants – Dining is always a favorite category.
- Citi Travel – Eligible purchases include hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel site. Excludes air travel purchases.
Terms: Citi Travel Purchases: Excludes air travel purchases. Eligible transactions include hotel, car rental, and attractions only and must be booked with Citi Travel via Cititravel.com or by calling 1-833-737-1288 (TTY:711). Citi Travel is powered by Rocket Travel by Agoda. Restaurants: Includes purchases at cafes, bars, lounges and fast-food restaurants. Excludes purchases at bakeries, caterers, restaurants located inside another business (such as hotels, stores, stadiums, grocery stores, or warehouse clubs) and third-party dining delivery services.
U.S. 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.
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.
U.S. Bank Shopper – Select your Categories
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards comes with a $95 annual fee and offers 6% cashback on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose. Options include Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target, and many more. You must enroll each quarter for two retailers.
Bank of America Customized 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 and EV charging stations (default category)
- Online Shopping; this category also includes cable, streaming, internet, and phone plan
- 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
Nusenda FCU – Grocery, Dining, Gas, Drugstore & More
Landing Page & PDF with full details| Our Original Post | 2025 Post
- Earn 5% this quarter, up to $1,875 in purchases, for Grocery, Dining, Gas, Drugstores, Discount Stores, Wholesale Clubs, Book Stores and more. See full list and eligible merchants on this PDF.
Langley FCU – Various
Landing Page | Our Original Post
- Langley Federal Credit Union offers 5% back each month in one selected category, on up to $100 cash back total ($2,000 spend).
- The category options at time of this writing: Automotive Services, Dining, and Amazon. (via email: Automotive Services includes charging, gas, and automotive maintenance)
Huntington Business Voice – Select 4% Category
Huntington Voice Business credit card you choose one of ten categories where you’ll earn 4% cash back—on the first $7,000 you spend per quarter.
- Category options: Grocery Stores, Gas Stations, Restaurants, Travel and Entertainment, Home Improvement Stores, Utilities and Office Supply Stores, Department, Apparel, and Sporting Goods Stores, Electronic, Computer, and Camera Stores, Discount and Warehouse Stores, Auto Parts and Services Stores.
Safe Credit Union [CA] – ADD ME
Landing Page | Our Original Post
Safe Credit Union Cash Rewards Visa card offers 5% this quarter on your choice of one category each quarter, now limited to $1,500 in spend each quarter. This quarter the category is one of these:
- ADD ME
Redstone FCU (TN,AL) – Amazon, Utilities, Jewelry
Landing page | Our original Post
- Redstone Visa offers 5% on a category of your choice: Amazon, Utilities, Jewelry Stores.
- $1,500 cap per quarter.
- You must select a category or you don’t get 5% on anything.
