Discover announced the Q4 2026 categories for its 5% bonus cash-back calendar, running Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Cards eligible for these bonuses include popular options like the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back.
Below, CNBC Select highlights the 2026 Discover cash-back calendar so far, plus a look back at 2025's categories. We also cover how you can use a 5% cash-back rewards program to your advantage.
Senior reporter Jason Stauffer can answer your questions about how to make the most of your credit cards in his weekly Points Pro column. Submit yours here.
How to earn 5% cash back with Discover
To participate in Discover's rotating 5% bonus categories, you need to have an eligible Discover it® or Discover it® More card, such as the Discover it® Cash Back, Discover it® Student Cash Back or NHL® Discover it®.
You then need to log in to your Discover account and activate the 5% bonus cash-back categories each quarter. Once you activate the offer, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending through the end of the quarter (then 1%).
Discover cash-back calendar for Q4 2026
For Q4 2026 (October through December), you can earn 5% cash back on or at:
- Restaurants: Get elevated cash back at restaurants, including cafes, fast food and even caterers. Note that bakeries may not qualify.
- Entertainment: This includes ticket purchases at movie theaters, concert promoters, live sporting events (professional and semi-professional live events), aquariums and much more.
- Utilities: Earn cash back on common utilities like water, internet, electricity and phone services.
As noted above, the 5% rate applies to spending across all active rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in quarterly spending, then 1%) when you activate. Cardholders can activate Q4 2026 categories now through Dec. 31, 2026.
Discover Cash-Back Calendar 2026
| Quarter | Categories |
| Q1: Jan. through March | Grocery stores, wholesale clubs, select streaming services |
| Q2: April through June | Restaurants, home improvement stores |
| Q3: July through Sept. | Gas stations, transportation, drug stores |
| Q4: Oct. through Dec. | Restaurants, entertainment and utilities |
Curious about categories for the rest of 2026? Here's a look at Discover's 2025 cash-back calendar to see which categories were included last year — but remember, past categories don't guarantee future ones:
- Q1 2025, Jan.–March: Restaurants, home improvement stores (online and in-store) and select streaming services
- Q2 2025, April–June: Grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- Q3 2025, July–Sept.: Gas stations & EV charging, public transit and utilities
- Q4 2025, Oct.–Dec.: Amazon.com and drug stores
How 5% cash-back credit cards work
To earn heightened rewards on 5% cash-back cards, you typically must activate the bonus categories each quarter. Discover lets you set up email alerts and add reminders to your calendar so you don't forget.
Earning 5% cash back isn't unlimited. Most rotating category cards cap your spending each month or quarter, after which you'll earn a base 1% cash back or 1X points. This maximum spending requirement resets every quarter.
All other purchases outside the bonus categories usually earn an unlimited 1% cash back (or 1X points), as well. If you want to maximize the amount of cash back you can earn, we recommend using an alternative cash-back or rewards credit card for spending outside the bonus categories, so you earn at least 2% back or 2X points.
Redeeming Discover cash-back rewards
Discover offers a few different ways to redeem your cash back. You can apply your cash back as a statement credit or transfer it to a bank account with no minimum redemption requirement. Starting at $5, you can redeem your rewards for gift cards, each with at least 5% added value. You can also redeem cash back directly through Amazon or PayPal or donate it to a charitable cause.
Alternative cash-back cards
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) ranks as one of our best cash-back cards with no annual fee. New cardholders can earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and an unlimited 1.5% back on all other purchases.
Plus, the card offers an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, plus an easy-to-earn cash-back welcome bonus.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus. Plus, if you pair it with a premium Chase credit card that allows point transfers, you can convert your cash back into flexible travel rewards.
- Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
- Purchases and balance transfers receive an intro APR
- No annual fee
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Citi Double Cash® Card is another topic pick, offering an effective 2% cash back: Earn an unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. You can also earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Similar to the Freedom Unlimited, the Citi Double Cash offers an intro APR on balance transfers (not purchases, though) and a comparable welcome bonus.
What makes the Citi Double Cash® Card special is that it sits near the top of its class in several categories. It is an excellent option if you want flat-rate rewards, a balance transfer intro-APR or no annual fee.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- Earns transferable rewards
- No annual fee
- It has a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance transfer
- Points transfer ratios are reduced compared to premium cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
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