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Discover 5% Bonus Categories, Q1 2026: Grocery Stores, Wholesale Clubs, Streaming
Discover 5% Bonus Categories, Q1 2026: Grocery Stores, Wholesale Clubs, Streaming
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Apply now Apply now Read Review If your goal is to save some cash — perhaps by dining in more than you dine out — in the new year, Discover’s latest 5% cash-back categories can incentivize those financial resolutions. From Jan. 1 to March 31, 2026, holders of eligible cards like the Discover it® Cash Back and the Discover it® Student Cash Back will earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined spending at grocery stores, wholesale clubs and select streaming services (activation required; all other purchases earn 1% back). Discover it® Cash Back Discover it® Student Cash Back Here’s what’s in store.Discover’s Q1 2026 bonus cash-back categories
Grocery stores
Grocery store purchases that are eligible for the elevated rate include those made at supermarkets, meat lockers, bakeries, smaller grocery stores and grocery delivery services. Purchases made at convenience stores and discount stores may not qualify, but they can still earn the base rewards rate on a Discover card. Any spending at Walmart or Target will earn 1% back only. » MORE: See our best credit cards for groceries » MORE:Wholesale clubs
If your Discover card is accepted at a wholesale club, you can earn bonus cash back on purchases there. Notably, however, Costco doesn't accept Discover cards. Wholesale club services like delivery services, travel and cell phone plans also won’t earn the bonus rate. Individual merchants and stand-alone stores located within the wholesale clubs or online may not qualify either. » MORE: See our best credit cards for Costco purchases » MORE:Select streaming services
This category is a repeat from Discover’s first-quarter picks of 2025. You can earn bonus cash back on services like Amazon Music, Amazon Prime Video, AMC+, Apple Music, Apple TV, Audible, DirecTV Stream, Fandango at Home, Google Play Music and Video, Max, iHeartRadio, MLB.TV, Netflix, Pandora, Paramount Plus, Peacock, SiriusXM, Sling TV, Spotify, Starz, YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV and other qualifying popular streaming services. Keep in mind that if your subscription or add-ons are part of a bundle with another product or service, or are billed by a third party, they may not qualify for bonus cash back. » MORE: See our best credit cards for streaming services » MORE:A look at 2025 categories
Discover has been known to repeat some categories from prior years. There's no telling what the future will reward, but it's worth revisiting the past to get a better understanding of the types of categories that are traditionally on the calendar: Discover bonus rewards categories for 2026 Q1 (Jan. 1-March 31) Grocery stores. Wholesale clubs. Select streaming services. Q2 (April 1–June 30) Restaurants. Home improvement stores. Q3 (July 1–Sept. 30) TBD. (In 2025: Gas stations/EV charging; public transit; utilities.) (In 2025: Gas stations/EV charging; public transit; utilities.) Q4 (Oct. 1–Dec. 31) TBD. (In 2025: Amazon.com; drugstores.) (In 2025: Amazon.com; drugstores.) » MORE: Current bonus categories for other 5%-back cards » MORE: » MORE: Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. About the author Melissa Lambarena Melissa is a credit cards writer at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured by The Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today. See full bio. Helpful resources Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Credit Cards Best Balance Transfer Credit CardsFind the right credit card for you.
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