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Current Bonus Categories: Chase Freedom, Discover, Citi
Current Credit Card Bonus Categories: Discover, Chase Freedom, Citi Dividend
Several popular cards feature bonus categories that rotate every quarter. Here are their rewards calendars.Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Updated · 6 min read Written by Managing Editor + more + more Edited by Director of Content SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATEDThis page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
Cards with rotating bonus categories come with some of the highest credit card rewards rates available. Both Chase and Discover offer credit cards with 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter in bonus categories that change each quarter and 1% back on other purchases. To get the bonus cash back, you have to opt in, or "activate," the category each quarter. Chase Discover A Citi credit card with similar terms — the Citi Dividend Card — is no longer available to new applicants. It pays 5% in rotating bonus categories that you activate and 1% on other purchases. There's no quarterly spending limit, but the total cash amount of cash back you can earn in a year is capped at $300. Citi Previous years are listed below the current categories, so you can see what's been offered in the past ... and what might be again? » MORE: Best cash-back credit cards and best 5% cash-back credit cards » MORE:Current Discover bonus categories
Cards that earn bonus rewards in these categories include the Discover it® Cash Back and the Discover it® Student Cash Back. Discover it® Cash Back Discover it® Student Cash Back 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: NerdWallet's best Discover credit cards » MORE: Discover it® Cash Back Apply now Apply nowon Capital One's website
Discover it® Student Cash Back Apply now Apply nowon Discover's website
Chase Freedom Flex® Apply now Apply nowon Chase's website
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Read review Read review Read reviewCurrent Chase bonus categories
These bonus categories apply to the Chase Freedom® and the Chase Freedom Flex® (introduced in September 2020). Chase Freedom® Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex® bonus rewards categories for 2026 Chase Freedom® Chase Freedom Flex® Q1 (Jan. 1-March 31) Restaurants Norwegian Cruise Line. American Heart Association. Q2 (April 1-June 30) Amazon. Whole Foods. Chase Travel℠. Feeding America. Q3 (July 1-Sept. 30) TBD. (In 2025: Gas/EV charging; live entertainment; Instacart.) (In 2025: Gas/EV charging; live entertainment; Instacart.) Q4 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31) TBD. (In 2025: Chase Travel℠; department stores; Old Navy. December only: PayPal.) (In 2025: Chase Travel℠; department stores; Old Navy. December only: PayPal.) » MORE: NerdWallet's best Chase credit cards » MORE:Current Citi Dividend bonus categories
Citi Dividend Card bonus rewards categories for 2026 Q1 (Jan. 1 - March 31) Amazon. Select streaming services. Q2 (April 1 - June 30) Grocery stores. Citi Travel. Q3 (July 1 – Sept. 30) TBD. (In 2025: Gas stations; home improvement stores.) (In 2025: Gas stations; home improvement stores.) Q4 (Oct. 1 – Dec. 31) TBD. (In 2025: Restaurants; purchases through Citi's travel portal.) (In 2025: Restaurants; purchases through Citi's travel portal.) » MORE: NerdWallet's best Citi credit cards » MORE: » MORE: Credit cards with customizable rewards » MORE:Categories from previous years
2025 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Discover cards 2025 bonus categories Discover cards 2025 bonus categories Q1: Restaurants; home improvement stores; select streaming services. Q2: Grocery stores; wholesale clubs. Q3: Gas stations/EV charging; public transit; utilities. Q4: Amazon.com; drugstores. Chase 2025 bonus categories Chase 2025 bonus categories (In 2025, Chase marked the 15th year of the Freedom 5% cash back program by adding a "birthday bonus" category in the final month of several quarters.) (In 2025, Chase marked the 15th year of the Freedom 5% cash back program by adding a "birthday bonus" category in the final month of several quarters.) Q1: Grocery stores; fitness clubs; hair, nails and spa services; Norwegian Cruise Line. March only: Tax preparation and insurance. March only: Tax preparation and insurance. Q2: Amazon; select streaming services. June only: Eligible internet, cable and phone services. June only: Eligible internet, cable and phone services. Q3: Gas/EV charging; live entertainment; Instacart. Q4: Chase Travel℠; department stores; Old Navy. December only: PayPal. December only: PayPal Citi Dividend 2025 bonus categories Citi Dividend 2025 bonus categories Q1: Amazon; select streaming services. Q2: Grocery stores; purchases through Citi's travel portal. Q3: Gas stations; home improvement stores. Q4: Restaurants; purchases through Citi's travel portal.2024 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Discover cards 2024 bonus categories Discover cards 2024 bonus categories Q1: Restaurants; drugstores. Q2: Gas stations/EV charging stations; home improvement stores; public transit. Q3: Grocery stores; Walmart. Q4: Amazon; Target. Chase 2024 bonus categories Chase 2024 bonus categories Q1: Grocery stores; fitness clubs and gym memberships; self-care and spa services. Q2: Select hotel bookings (directly with hotel or prepaid through Chase); restaurants; Amazon.com. Q3: Gas stations and EV charging; select live entertainment; movie theaters. Q4: McDonald's; PayPal; Pet shops and vet services; select charities. Citi Dividend Card 2024 bonus categories Citi Dividend Card 2024 bonus categories Q1: Amazon; select streaming services. Q2: Grocery stores; drugstores. Q3: Gas stations. Q4: Restaurants; purchases through Citi's travel portal.2023 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Discover cards 2023 bonus categories Discover cards 2023 bonus categories Q1: Grocery stores; drugstores; select streaming services. Q2: Restaurants; wholesale clubs. Q3: Gas stations; digital wallets. Q4: Amazon.com; Target, including Target.com and the Target app. Chase 2023 bonus categories Chase 2023 bonus categories Q1: Target; grocery stores; fitness clubs and gym memberships. Q2: Amazon.com; Lowe's. Q3: Gas stations and electric vehicle charging; select live entertainment. Q4: PayPal; wholesale clubs; select charities. Citi Dividend Card 2023 bonus categories Citi Dividend Card 2023 bonus categories Q1: Amazon; select streaming services. Q2: Drugstores; grocery stores. Q3: Gas stations; home improvement stores. Q4: Grocery stores.2022 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Discover cards 2022 bonus categories Discover cards 2022 bonus categories Q1: Grocery stores; fitness clubs and gym memberships. Q2: Gas stations; Target. Q3: Restaurants; PayPal. Q4: Amazon.com; digital wallets. Chase 2022 bonus categories Chase 2022 bonus categories Q1: Grocery stores; eBay. Q2: Amazon.com; select streaming services. Q3: Gas stations; car rentals; movie theaters; select live entertainment. Q4: PayPal; Walmart. Citi Dividend Card 2022 bonus categories Citi Dividend Card 2022 bonus categories Citi Dividend Card Q1: Amazon; select streaming services. Q2: Grocery stores; drugstores. Q3: Gas stations; home improvement stores. Q4: Restaurants; select travel.2021 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Grocery stores (including Walmart Grocery Pickup & Delivery); CVS and Walgreens. Q2: Gas stations; wholesale clubs; select streaming services. Q3: Restaurants; PayPal. Q4: Amazon.com; Target.com; Walmart.com. Q1: Wholesale clubs; select streaming services; internet, cable and phone services. Q2: Gas stations; home improvement stores. Q3: Grocery stores; select streaming services. Q4: Walmart; PayPal. Also in Q4 of 2021, holders of the Chase Freedom Flex® (but not the original Freedom card) could earn an additional 5% cash back in the eligible category where they spent the most money, on up to $1,500 in spending. Those categories: Travel (including transit); dining; home improvement stores; grocery stores (not including Target and Walmart purchases); drugstores; das stations; select live entertainment; select streaming services; fitness club. This came on top of the 5% earned on Walmart and PayPal purchases, meaning Flex cardholders could earn 5% on up to $3,000 in spending that quarter. Also in Q4 of 2021, holders of the Chase Freedom Flex® (but not the original Freedom card) could earn an additional 5% cash back in the eligible category where they spent the most money, on up to $1,500 in spending. Those categories: Travel (including transit); dining; home improvement stores; grocery stores (not including Target and Walmart purchases); drugstores; das stations; select live entertainment; select streaming services; fitness club. This came on top of the 5% earned on Walmart and PayPal purchases, meaning Flex cardholders could earn 5% on up to $3,000 in spending that quarter. Chase Freedom Flex® Citi Dividend Card Q1: Amazon; select streaming services. Q2: Supermarkets; drugstores. Q3: Gas stations; home improvement stores. Q4: Restaurants; Best Buy. Q1: Groceries; drugstores; health and wellness (fitness clubs, beauty and health spas, hospitals/medical providers); veterinary services. Q2: Home improvement (including gardening stores and home furnishings); warehouse clubs; Costco.com; Walmart.com; Target.com. Q3: Dining (including restaurants and fast food); travel (airlines, rental cars, hotels, timeshares, cruises and travel agencies); transportation (gas, tolls, mass transit, taxis and ridesharing services); entertainment (including movie theaters, tourist attractions and theme parks). Q4: Dining (including restaurants and fast food); food delivery services (including DoorDash and Grubhub); groceries; liquor stores; Amazon.com.2020 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Grocery stores; CVS and Walgreens. Q2: Gas stations; Uber and Lyft; wholesale clubs; Home Depot (June only). Q3: Restaurants; PayPal. Q4: Amazon.com; Target.com; Walmart.com; Best Buy (Nov. 25 to Dec. 31 only). Q1: Gas stations; select streaming services; internet, cable and phone services. Q2: Grocery stores; gym memberships and fitness clubs; select streaming services. Q3: Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Q4: Walmart; PayPal. Citi Dividend Card Q1: Fitness clubs; supermarkets. Q2: Drugstores; Amazon.com. Q3: Home improvement stores; streaming services. Q4: Best Buy; online purchases from warehouse clubs. Q1: Recurring payments (including utilities, insurance, phone/cable/internet, streaming, subscription services). Q2: Dining; groceries; gas, rideshare and transit. Q3: Dining; entertainment; travel (airfare, cruises, car rentals, hotels, travel agencies); gas, rideshare and transit. Q4: Holiday shopping (including superstores, department stores, electronics stores, Costco.com and Amazon.com).2019 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Grocery stores. Q2: Gas stations; Uber and Lyft. Q3: Restaurants; PayPal. Q4: Amazon.com; Target (in-store and online); Walmart.com. Chase Freedom® Q1: Gas stations; tolls; drugstores. Q2: Home improvement stores; grocery stores. Q3: Gas stations; select streaming services. Q4: Department stores; PayPal and Chase Pay. Q1: Gas stations; Home Depot. Q2: Drugstores; fitness clubs. Q3: Airlines and car rentals. Q4: Best Buy and department stores. Q1: Dining; groceries; pharmacy. Q2: Home improvement (including warehouse and wholesale clubs). Q3: Travel purchases (airfare, cruises, car rentals, hotels, travel agencies). Q4: Automotive purchases (including services, repairs and parts).2018 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Gas stations and wholesale clubs. Q2: Grocery stores. Q3: Restaurants. Q4: Amazon.com and wholesale clubs. Chase Freedom® Q1: Gas stations; internet, cable and phone service; and purchases via Chase Pay, Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay. Q2: Grocery stores, PayPal, Chase Pay. Q3: Gas stations, Lyft, Walgreens. Q4: Department stores, wholesale clubs, Chase Pay. Q1: Gas stations, car rentals. Q2: Home Depot, home furniture stores. Q3: Airlines, movies. Q4: Best Buy, department stores.2017 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Gas stations, ground transportation, wholesale clubs. Q2: Home improvement stores, wholesale clubs. Q3: Restaurants. Q4: Amazon.com, Target. Chase Freedom® Q1: Gas stations, local commuter transportation. Q2: Grocery stores, drugstores. Q3: Restaurants, movie theaters. Q4: Walmart, department stores. Q1: Home Depot, home furniture stores. Q2: Drugstores, fitness clubs. Q3: Airlines, Hilton hotels. Q4: Best Buy, department stores.2016 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Gas, ground transportation. Q2: Restaurants, movies. Q3: Home improvement stores, Amazon.com. Q4: Amazon.com, department stores, Sam's Club. Chase Freedom® Q1: Gas stations, local commuter transportation. Q2: Grocery stores, wholesale clubs. Q3: Restaurants, wholesale clubs. Q4: Department stores, wholesale clubs. Q1: Home Depot, home furniture stores. Q2: Drugstores, fitness clubs. Q3: Car rentals, Hilton hotels. Q4: Best Buy, department stores.2015 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Gas, ground transportation. Q2: Restaurants, movies. Q3: Home improvement stores, department stores, Amazon.com. Q4: Amazon.com, department stores, clothing stores. Chase Freedom® Q1: Grocery stores, movie theaters, Starbucks. Q2: Restaurants, Bed Bath & Beyond, H&M, Overstock.com. Q3: Gas stations, Kohl's. Q4: Amazon.com, Audible.com, Diapers.com, Zappos.com.(Note: In a special promotion offered in 2015 only, the $1,500 quarterly limit on spending eligible for bonus rewards was reset on Nov. 23, meaning that Chase Freedom® cardholders got a "fresh" $1,500 to spend for bonus cash back. Further, from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31 of that year, Amazon.com spending earned 10% cash back, rather than 5%.) Q4: Amazon.com, Audible.com, Diapers.com, Zappos.com.
Q4: Amazon.com, Audible.com, Diapers.com, Zappos.com.
(Note: In a special promotion offered in 2015 only, the $1,500 quarterly limit on spending eligible for bonus rewards was reset on Nov. 23, meaning that Chase Freedom® cardholders got a "fresh" $1,500 to spend for bonus cash back. Further, from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31 of that year, Amazon.com spending earned 10% cash back, rather than 5%.) Chase Freedom® Q1: Macy's, home furniture stores. Q2: Home Depot, home and garden stores. Q3: Airlines, Hilton hotels. Q4: Best Buy, department stores.
2014 credit card bonus categories
Click to view Q1: Restaurants, movies. Q2: Home improvement stores, furniture stores, Bed Bath & Beyond. Q3: Gas stations. Q4: Online shopping, department stores. Chase Freedom® Q1: Grocery stores, movie theaters, Starbucks. Q2: Restaurants, Lowe's. Q3: Gas stations, Kohl's. Q4: Amazon.com, Zappos.com, select department stores. Q1: Macy's, drugstores, fitness clubs. Q2: Home Depot, home furniture stores, home and garden. Q3: Car rentals, Hilton hotels, theme parks, movie theaters. Q4: Best Buy, department stores, toy stores. About the author Kenley Young Kenley is an assigning editor at NerdWallet covering credit cards. He has worked for Yahoo and FoxSports.com as an editor and producer. 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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