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Discover’s 5% Bonus Categories for Q3 2025: Gas, Transit, Utilities
Discover’s 5% Bonus Categories for Q3 2025: Gas, Transit, Utilities
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Apply now Apply now Read Review Discover’s bonus categories for the third quarter of 2025 are perfect for summer travelers and homebodies alike. From July 1 through Sept. 30, 2025, holders of eligible cards like the Discover it® Cash Back or Discover it® Student Cash Back can earn 5% cash back at gas stations, on public transit and utility payments, on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly spending, then 1% back on everything else. Discover it® Cash Back Discover it® Student Cash Back Note that you must activate to start earning 5% back, and you’ll start earning bonus rewards from the date you activate them. You can activate this quarter’s bonus categories through your Discover account online, via the Discover app or by calling the number on the back of your card. Here’s what Discover has offered so far this year. 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 credit card bonus categories: Discover, Chase and Citi » MORE: Notably, this is the first time Discover has offered “utilities” as a bonus category. Eligible purchases include internet, water, electric, cable, phone service, satellite TV and more. Keep in mind that purchases made through retail stores don't qualify. Similarly, purchases made via third-party management companies or landlords might not earn bonus cash back, nor may purchases of individual streaming services. » MORE: See our best credit cards for recurring bills and utilities » MORE: The “gas stations” category, which includes electric vehicle charging this quarter, has been a yearly bonus category for Discover for the past decade. Eligible purchases include those made at the pump or at EV charging stations, and on spending inside gas station stores, too. Note, however, that gas stations linked to wholesale clubs like Costco, or supermarkets, may not be eligible for bonus cash back. » MORE: See our best credit cards for gas » MORE: "Public transit" is a less common bonus category for Discover, although it was offered in the second quarter of 2024. The category includes local commuter passenger bus, rail and ferry services, but it excludes taxi and rideshare services. » MORE: See our best credit cards for transit and commuters » 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 Funto Omojola Funto Omojola is a writer at NerdWallet. Funto's work has been featured in MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance and Nasdaq. 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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