If you have the Discover it® Cash Back or Discover it® Student Cash Back in your wallet, you’re hopefully familiar with the magic of the rotating 5% bonus categories. But if you haven’t activated yours in a while, this is your reminder.
Each quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in select categories (then 1%), which adds up to $75 per quarter, or up to $300 per year if you play your cards right. You’ll need to activate each quarter, but it only takes five seconds.
2025 Discover 5% Cash Back Calendar
Let’s take a look at the full 2025 Discover calendar and how to make the most of it.
Q1: January to March 2025
Restuarants
Home Improvement Stores
Select Streaming Services
Activation deadline: March 31
Q2: April to June 2025
Grocery Stores
Wholesale Clubs
Activation deadline: June 30
Q3: July to September 2025
Gas Stations and EV Charging
Public Transit
Utilities (new!)
Activation deadline: September 30 (activate now!)
Q4: October – December 2025
TBA — Announcing on September 1
Activation deadline: December 31
💡 Pro Tip: Discover typically announces the next quarter’s categories about a month in advance, so keep an eye out near the start of March, June, September, and December.
How to Activate Discover’s 5% Categories
To unlock 5% cash back each quarter, you’ll need to manually activate the bonus. The good news? It’s super-duper easy.
Here’s how to activate:
Log in to your Discover account (app or online)
Tap your card
Click “Activate 5%”
And boom… done. You only need to do it once per quarter.
How Discover’s 5% Categories Work
Q3 of 2025 is shaping up to be pretty special, y’all. We’ve got a fresh, new category: utilities. That includes your electric bill, water, internet, cable, and even your phone plan — basically, a lot of bills you were paying anyway.
You’ll also earn 5% back on public transit (like buses and subways) and gas stations/EV charging, which will perfectly suit summer travel.
Just remember: Some purchases may not qualify if they’re billed through a third party (like a landlord or bundled with another service), so check Discover’s fine print if you’re not sure.
For example, to earn 5%, your purchase must be posted by the promo’s end date, not just placed. And for online orders, that might mean the ship date. Rewards show up within two billing cycles, and keep in mind that if a merchant’s category code doesn’t match, it won’t count.
Other Cards That Offer 5% Cash Back
Discover’s not the only one playing the rotating category game (and we love options around here!).
The Chase Freedom Flex® also offers 5% back on up to $1,500 in rotating quarterly categories (which often overlap with Discover, like groceries, gas, or Amazon).
But even sweeter? The Freedom Flex earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which can be turned into travel rewards if you also have a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
In other words, the Freedom Flex might give you a little more flexibility if you're focused on travel.
🧠 Keep in Mind: Discover matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. So, if you earn $300 in 5% categories and a bit more on your other spending? Discover will double it, giving you $600 (or more) back with no annual fee.
FAQs
How much can I earn with Discover’s 5% calendar?
You can earn up to $75 per quarter (5% on $1,500 in purchases), which totals $300 per year. Plus, you’ll earn more during your first year with the card, thanks to Discover’s unique Cashback Match feature.
When are the new Discover’s 5% categories announced?
Discover usually shares upcoming categories about one month in advance — look for them in early March, June, September, and December.
What counts as a utility for Discover’s 5% cash back?
Things like electricity, water, internet, cable, and phone bills paid directly to the service provider count as utilities with Discover. Bills paid through landlords or bundled services might not qualify.
Do I need to activate my Discover card each quarter?
Yes, activation is required every quarter to earn the 5% bonus cash back. You can do this through Discover’s app or your online account.
Does Discover cash back expire?
Nope, as long as your account is open and in good standing, your Discover cash back won’t expire.
Can I stack Discover with other 5% cards?
Yes, pairing Discover with a card like the Freedom Flex gives you two sets of 5% categories and more opportunities to stack rewards.
Bottom Line
Discover’s 5% rotating calendar is a simple way to earn big rewards on everyday spending, especially when it includes categories like utilities and grocery stores.
With no annual fee, easy activation, and a first-year cash back match, these cards are looking pretty freaking sweet. Pair them with a second 5% card like the Freedom Flex, and you’ll be maximizing your spending across the board.
Take a few seconds today and activate these categories — your streaming service, grocery cart, and electric bill should be paying you back.
