Citi is no longer accepting applications for the Citi Custom Cash® Card product as of May 28, 2026.
Discover cards are currently not available on CNBC Select, and links have been redirected to our credit card marketplace, where you can review offers from other issuers like American Express or Chase. You can also check out our list of the best credit cards for alternative options.
Discover announced the Q3 2026 categories for its 5% bonus cash-back calendar, running July 1 through Sept. 30. 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.
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 Q3 2026
For Q3 2026 (July–September), you can earn 5% cash back on:
- Gas station purchases: Get elevated cash back at the pump, inside the station and on public electric vehicle charging stations. Note, gas stations and EV charging stations affiliated with supermarkets and wholesale clubs may not qualify.
- Transportation purchases: This includes purchases made through merchants classified as airlines (think: flights purchased this summer) and local commuter passenger transport like buses, trains and ferries.
- Drug store purchases: Earn cash back at drug stores, pharmacies and online pharmacies.
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 Q3 2026 categories from June 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2026.
Still active: Discover Q2 2026 categories
Discover's Q2 2026 categories are still active through May 31, 2026. Note that you'll only earn the elevated rewards after activating; they don't apply retroactively.
- Restaurant purchases: This includes purchases at or with full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations and caterers. Note, bakeries and restaurants located inside of or affiliated with another business may not qualify.
- Home improvement store purchases: Earn on online and in-store purchases at home improvement retail stores, building supply stores, home furnishing stores, home appliance stores and floor covering stores. Lawn, nursery and garden supply stores also count toward category earnings.
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. | Announcing Sept. 1 |
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.
- Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
- Purchases and balance transfers get long intro APR
- No annual fee
- Travelers face 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.
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance tranfer
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 17.49% - 27.49%, 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%
Citi offers its own 5% cash-back card, the Citi Custom Cash® Card, but you don't need to activate bonuses each quarter. Cardholders automatically earn 5% cash back on purchases in their top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%). You can earn heightened cash back in one of 10 different categories, including restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and more.
The Custom Cash also earns 4% back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel℠, features an intro APR on balance transfers and offers a cash-back welcome bonus.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is an especially simple and rewarding cash back card because you'll automatically earn bonus rewards where you spend the most.
- Offers a long intro APR on balance transfers
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- Bonus cash back categories are capped
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
Rewards
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
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Information about the NHL® Discover it® has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the cards prior to publication.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Cash Back, click here.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Student Cash Back, click here.
