It’s now possible to activate all 5% category credit cards for the third quarter of 2026, including the 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, spend tracker links, and strategies to help increase spend within these categories.
Dates: July 1st – September 30, 2026. Store purchases can usually be done until the last minute while online purchases should be given a buffer zone since the charge typically posts on the shipping date.
Chase Freedom – Gas, Transit, Entertainment
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 spend on Gas/EV, Public Transit, Select Live Entertainment, and United Way.
- Gas Stations and EV Charging – some convenience stores count as Gas, and they might sell gift cards too.
- Public Transit – Merchants in this category include operators of passenger trains, buses, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.
- Select Live Entertainment – (Possible stack with the Paze promo?) Merchants in this category sell tickets for live in-person entertainment such as major sporting events, zoos and aquariums, concerts, theatrical productions, museums, tourist attractions and exhibits, amusement parks, circuses, carnivals, bands, and entertainers. Ticket agencies selling on behalf of the entertainment venue are included. Some merchants that sell tickets for in-person entertainment are not included in this category; for example, movie theaters, bowling alleys, horse racing tracks, casinos, and dance hall/clubs. Purchasing from a hotel/concierge is not included nor excursions or purchases as part of a travel package.
- United Way – charity
Tip: Click this link (login required) to check how far you are along the $1,500.
Discover – Gas, Transportation, Drugstores
Activation Link / Our original post
With the Discover card, activate to earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases on Gas, Transportation, and Drugstores.
- Gas and EV charging – some convenience stores count as Gas, and they sometimes sell gift cards too.
- Transportation – includes airlines and also commuter services such as bus and train. (Does not include car rental or taxi/rideshare.)
- Drugstores – this is always a favorite since popular drugstores carry a wide array of goods and gift cards too.
Tip: Login, then click this link to see you how far along the $1,500 you are.
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- Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station and public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas stations & EV charging affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Certain parking garages where public electric vehicle charging is offered or included may not be eligible.
- Transportation purchases include those made through merchants classified as airlines, and local commuter passenger transport (such as bus, rail and ferry services). Long-range passenger landrail and bus charters are also included. Purchases made through travel agencies, travel aggregator sites or other third-party booking services may not qualify. Car rentals, cruise lines, taxi & rideshare services (including shared bikes and scooters), limousines, parking garages and toll-related purchases are not included.
- Drug Store purchases include those made at stand-alone drug stores, pharmacies, and online pharmacies. Pharmacies inside of 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. Citi is different than the other cards in that you have a $6,000 annual cap rather than a $1,500 quarterly cap. You can get 5% back on up to $6,000 in this quarter, you can save the entire amount for a different quarter, or you can use part up each quarter.
- Gas Stations – not clear if EV charging will count.
- Home Improvement – nice category for the summer. Can buy gift cards at home improvement stores as well.
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 materials stores, paint and wallpaper stores, hardware stores, nurseries – lawn and garden supply stores and paints, varnishes and supplies stores. Excludes florists and florists’ supply stores; nursery stock; wholesale construction stores; and glass stores.
U.S. Bank Cash+/Elan – Select your Categories
Activation link | Merchant List | Our Original Post
U.S. Bank Cash+ and Elan Max offer 5% cash back in two categories, up to $2,000 combined total per quarter.
Here are the current options:
- TV, Internet, and Streaming Services
- Home utilities
- Select clothing stores
- Cell phone providers
- Electronic Stores
- Gyms/Fitness
- Fast food
- Ground Transportation
- Sporting goods
- Department Stores
- Furniture Stores
- Movie theaters
Tip: Login here, then scroll down and click on the red “View Your Cash+ History” button.
U.S. Bank Shopper – Select your Categories
Our Original Post
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards comes with a $95 annual fee and offers 6% cashback on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose. Options include Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target, and many more. You must enroll each quarter for two retailers.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Our Original Post
The Cash Rewards card from Bank of America offers 3% back on one selected category, up to $2,500 per quarter. If you don’t select anything it defaults to gas. Once you selected a category for one quarter, that remains your category in the future unless you change it. Each calendar month you can change it if you’d like, but you’re 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 plan
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug Stores
- Home Improvement/Furnishings
This category is especially lucrative for those who have Preferred Rewards status with Bank of America which can get you 5.25% back on one of these categories at the higher 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 combines 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 purchases, for Airlines, Hotels, Rental Cars, Gas, Miscellaneous Stores, Business Services (electronics, books stores, etc.), Retail Outlet Services, Education. See full list and eligible merchants on this PDF.
Langley FCU – Various
Landing Page | Our Original Post
- Langley Federal Credit Union offers 5% back each month in one selected category, on up to $100 cash back total ($2,000 spend).
- The category options at time of this writing: Automotive Services, Dining, and Amazon. (via email: Automotive Services includes charging, gas, and automotive maintenance)
Huntington Business Voice – Select 4% Category
Landing Page
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, Utilities and Office Supply Stores, Department, Apparel, and Sporting Goods Stores, Electronic, Computer, and Camera Stores, Discount and Warehouse Stores, Auto Parts and Services Stores.
Safe Credit Union [CA] – ADD ME
Landing Page | Our Original Post
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 spend each quarter. This quarter the category is one of these:
- ADD ME
Redstone FCU (TN,AL) – Dining, Travel, Amazon & More (?)
Landing page | Our original Post
- Redstone Visa offers 5% on a category of your choice: travel, Amazon, restaurants, home improvement, and more options.
- $1,500 cap per quarter.
- You must select a category or you don’t get 5% on anything.
