It is now possible to activate all 5% category credit cards for the third quarter of 2026, including Chase Freedom, Chase Freedom Flex, Discover IT, Citi Dividend, US Bank Cash+ and some smaller cards. In this post we’ll provide the activation link for each card, spending tracker links, and strategies to help increase spending within these categories.
Dates: July 1 – September 30, 2026. In-store purchases can usually be made until the last minute while online purchases should be given a buffer zone as the fee is usually posted on the date of delivery.
Chase Freedom – Gas, Transit, Fun
Activation link / FAQ / Our original post
With the Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex cards, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in Gas/EV, Public Transit, Select Live Entertainment and United Way spending.
- Gas stations and electric vehicle charging – some convenience stores count as Gas and may also sell gift cards.
- Public Transit – Traders in this category include operators of passenger trains, buses, ferries, toll bridges and motorways, as well as car parks and garages.
- Select Live Entertainment – (Possible shelf with Paza promo?) Merchants in this category sell tickets for live in-person entertainment, such as major sporting events, zoos and aquariums, concerts, theater productions, museums, tourist attractions and exhibitions, amusement parks, circuses, carnivals, musical groups and entertainers. Includes ticket agencies that sell on behalf of the entertainment venue. Some merchants who sell tickets for personal entertainment are not included in this category; for example, movie theaters, bowling alleys, horse racing tracks, casinos, and dance halls/clubs. A hotel/concierge purchase is not included, nor are excursions or shopping as part of a travel package.
- United Way – charity
counsel: Click this connection (login required) to check how far you are along the $1500.
Discover – Gas, Transport, Pharmacy
Activation link / Our original post
With the Discover Card, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in gas, transportation and drugstore purchases.
- Gas and EV charging – some convenience stores count as Gas, and sometimes sell gift cards too.
- Transportation – includes airlines and also passenger services such as bus and train. (Does not include car rental or taxi/delivery.)
- drugstore – this is always a favorite as popular drugstores also carry a wide range of merchandise and gift cards.
Tip: Sign in, then click this connection to see how far you are along the $1500.
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- Fuel pump purchases include those made at dealers classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be purchased at the pump or inside the station and public electric vehicle charging stations. Petrol pumps and electric vehicle charges linked to supermarkets, supercentres and wholesale clubs may not qualify. Some parking garages where public electric vehicle charging is offered or included may not be acceptable.
- Transportation purchases include those made through merchants classified as airlines, and local passenger transportation for travelers (such as bus, rail, and ferry services). Coach charters and long-haul passenger coaches are also included. Purchases made through travel agencies, travel aggregation sites or other third-party booking services may not qualify. Car rentals, cruise lines, taxi and rideshare services (including shared bikes and scooters), limousines, parking garages and fare-related purchases are not included.
- drugstore purchases include those made at independent pharmacies, pharmacies and online pharmacies. Pharmacies within other retail stores may not qualify.
Citi Dividend – Gas, Home Improvement
Landing page | Our original post
With the Citi Dividend Card, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on gas stations and home improvement. The Citi is different from other cards in that you have an annual cap of $6,000 instead of a quarterly cap of $1,500. You can get 5% back on up to $6,000 this quarter, you can keep the entire amount for another quarter, or you can use a portion up to each quarter.
Gas Stations: Excludes gasoline purchases at warehouse clubs, discount stores, convenience stores, or other merchants that do not use the gas station merchant category code. Home improvement stores: Includes purchases at home supply warehouse stores, lumber and building material stores, paint and wallpaper stores, hardware stores, nurseries – lawn and garden supply stores, and paint, varnish, and supply stores. Excludes florists and florist supply stores; nursery stock; wholesale hardware stores; and glass shops.
US Bank Cash+/Elan – Choose your categories
Activation link | List of dealers | Our original post
US Bank Cash+ and Elan Max offer 5% cash back in two categories, up to $2,000 total per quarter.
Here the current options are:
- TV, internet and streaming services
- Home services
- Select clothing stores
- Mobile phone providers
- Electronic Stores
- Gym/Fitness
- Fast food
- Land Transport
- Sporting goods
- Supermarkets
- Furniture stores
- CINEMA
Tip: Log in here, then scroll down and click on the red “View Cash History +” button.
US Bank Shopper – Choose your categories
US Bank Shopper Cashback comes with a $95 annual fee and offers 6% cash back on the first $1,500 in eligible combined purchases each quarter with two retailers of your choice. Options include Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target and many more. You must register quarterly for two retailers.
Personalized Bank of America Cash Rewards
The Cash Rewards Card from Bank of America offers 3% back on a select category, up to $2,500 per quarter. If you don’t select anything, it defaults to gas. Once you’ve selected a category for a quarter, it remains your category in the future unless you change it. Each calendar month you can change it if you want, but you are always limited to $2,500 for the entire quarter.
- Gas and EV charging stations (default category)
- Online Shopping; this category also includes cable, streaming, internet, and phone plans
- Food
- Travel
- drugstore
- Home Improvement/Furnishing
This category is especially profitable for those who have Preferred Rewards Status with Bank of America, which can get you 5.25% back in one of these categories at the highest relationship level.
Lots of useful categories here. Important note: the Cash Rewards card also offers 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to $2,500 per quarter, and that $2,500 limit is combined with the category selection limit. After spending $2,500, you’ll earn 1% back on everything.
Other cards with 5% category.
Nusenda FCU – Wholesale, Discount, Home & More
Landing page & PDF with full details| Our original post | 2025 Post
- Earn 5% this quarter, up to $1,875 in shopping, for airlines, hotels, rental cars, gas, various stores, business services (electronics, books, etc.), retail services, Education. See the full list and eligible dealers in this PDF.
Langley FCU – Various
Landing page | Our original post
- Langley Federal Credit Union offers 5% back each MONTH in a select category, up to $100 total ($2,000 spend).
- Category options at the time of this writing: Automotive Services, Dining, and Amazon. (via email: Automotive services include charging, gas, and automotive maintenance)
Huntington Business Voice – Select 4% category.
Huntington Voice Business Credit Card You choose one of ten categories where you’ll earn 4% cash back—on the first $7,000 you spend per quarter.
- Category options: Grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, travel and entertainment, home improvement stores, service and office supply stores, department stores, clothing and sporting goods stores, electronics, computer and camera stores, discount stores and warehouses, auto parts and service stores.
Secure Credit Union (CA) – ADD ME
Landing page | Our original post
The Safe Credit Union Cash Rewards Visa Card offers 5% this quarter on your choice of one category each quarter, now limited to $1,500 in spending each quarter. This quarter is the category one of these:
Redstone FCU (TN, AL) – Food, Travel, Amazon and more (?)
Landing page | Our original post
- Redstone Visa offers 5% in a category of your choice: travel, Amazon, restaurants, home improvement and more options.
- $1,500 per quarter.
- You must choose a category or you get 5% for nothing.
