Q2 2022 5% Quarterly Categories: Activate, Offers & Suggestions (Freedom/Flex, Discover, Dividend, Cash+ & more)

It’s now possible to activate/enroll all 5% category credit cards for the second quarter of 2022, including the Chase Freedom, Chase Freedom Flex, Discover IT, Citi Dividend, US Bank Cash+ and a few others. In this post we’ll provide the activation link for each card and links to track your spend, along with strategies to help increase spend in these categories.

Dates: April 1st – June 30, 2021. Store purchases can usually be done until the last minute while online purchases should be given a buffer zone of a day or two.

Chase Freedom – Amazon, Streaming

Activation Link / FAQ / Sample Stores & Exclusions / Our original post

With your Freedom and Freedom Flex cards, earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in spend on Amazon.com and at select streaming services.

Amazon.com – always a useful category
Select streaming services

Tip: Click this link (login required) to check how far you are along the $1,500.

Discover – Gas, Target

Activation Link / Our original post

With your Discover card, earn 5% back this quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases at Gas Stations and Target.

Gas Stations – nice for gas, and there might be some convenience stores that are considered Gas Stations as well.
Target – not too useful since most of us already earn 5% discount on Target with the Target REDcard. But it’s useful for Target gift cards purchased from Target which don’t get any discount with the Target REDcard.

Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Gas Stations (stand-alone) and Target from 4/1/22 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 6/30/22, on up to $1,500 in purchases. 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. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Target purchases include those made at Target.com, through the Target app, or in-store at Target. Purchases from individual merchants and stand-alone stores within physical Target locations may not be eligible for this promotion. Purchases made online or through the Target app from Target affiliates, individual merchants or stand-alone stores may not be eligible for this promotion, including, but not limited to, targetoptical.com and targetphoto.com. Target and the Bullseye Design are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc. Listed merchants are in no way sponsoring or affiliated with this program.

Tip: Login, then click this link to see you how far along the $1,500 you are.

Citi Dividend – Grocery, Drugstores

Landing Page | Our Original Post

With your Dividend card, earn 5% back this quarter at Grocery Stores and Drugstores. Citi is different than the other cards in that you have a $6,000 annual cap rather than a $1,500 quarterly cap. Thus, 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.

Grocery Stores – always a useful category; grocery stores also carry a wide variety of gift cards
Drugstores – they carry a wide variety of gift cards

A lot of people will want to max out their Dividend cards for the year with $6,000 in purchases this quarter given how easy it is to use the Grocery category or to buy gift cards from the drugstore and grocery store.

US 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. Keep in mind that Car Rentals was recently replaced with TV, Internet, and Streaming Services.

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.

Bank of America 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 (default)
Online Shopping
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

ABOC – Discontinued

Since August 27, 2021, the ABOC Platinum rewards card has moved to a new rewards provider and no longer offers the quarterly 5x categories.

Nusenda FCU – Restaurants, Movies, Home Improvement

Landing Page | Our Original Post

Earn 5% this quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases at Restaurants, Home Improvement stores, and on Movies.

This is on top of the regular 1% for a total earn of 6% back.

Affinity FCU – ADD ME

Landing Page | Our Original Post

Earn 5% this quarter on purchases on up to $3,500 in purchases for ADD ME

The 5x is on top of regular earn for a total of 6x or 7x, depending on the card.

Abound CU – Travel

Landing page | Our Original Post

Abound Credit Union Visa Platinum card offers 5% on up to $2,000 in purchases for Travel purchases.

5% off merchants classified as Airlines, Car Rental, Lodging, Cruise Lines, Air Carriers, Airport, airport terminals & flying fields, Travel Agencies & Tour Operators, Lodging Hotels, Motels, Resorts not elsewhere classified, Timeshares, Auto Rental Agency- not elsewhere classified, Motor Home & Recreational Vehicle Rental up to $100.00 in rewards earned per statement cycle. Offer valid April 1 – June 30, 2022. After $125 is reached in rewards you will continue to earn 1%.