Below chart gives you the Credit Cards 5% Cash Back Quarterly Categories for several cards like the Chase Freedom Flex / Freedom, Discover It, ABOC Platinum Rewards, U.S. Bank Cash+, and more.
If you’re the type to have many credit cards to maximize your return/rewards, it can be a lot to keep up with, but keeping track of which card is optimum for certain purchases is paramount.
Below you’ll see a list of the credit cards that earn 5% cash back.
View the latest credit card offers from American Express, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Wells Fargo, & more.
Table of Contents
Editor’s Choice Credit Card
 The Chase Freedom Flex offers a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! • Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. You cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back. You'll be able to new 5% categories each quarter! This card has no annual fee. |
2020/2021 Fourth Quarter Credit Card 5% Categories
| Credit Card | Cash Back Limits | Activate | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex Learn More | Up to $1,500/quarter spent in bonus categories | Activate | Review |
| Chase Freedom® | Up to $1,500/quarter spent in bonus categories | Activate | Review |
| ABOC Platinum Rewards Learn More | Up to $1,500/quarter spent in bonus categories | Register Once | Review |
| Discover it® Learn More | Up to $1,500/quarter spent in bonus categories | Activation | Review |
| Ink Business CashSM Credit Card Learn More | Up to $25,000 per year on office supply stores, internet, cable, & phone services | N/A | Review |
| Target REDcard | No Limit, Year Round | N/A | Review |
| Citi Dividend (No longer Available) | Up to $1,500/quarter spent in bonus categories | N/A | N/A |
| US Bank Cash+ Learn More | Up to $2,000/quarter spent in bonus categories | Activate | Review |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | No Limit, Year Round | N/A | Review |
Earn 5% Back
Chase Freedom Flex / Chase Freedom
Below are the categories for 2020:
- January-March 2020: Gas stations, select streaming services and internet, cable and phone services
- April-June 2020: Grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart), select streaming services, gym memberships and fitness clubs
- July-September 2020: Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
- October-December 2020: Walmart and PayPal
Below are the categories for 2021:
- January-March 2021: Wholesale Clubs, Internet, Cable, & Phone Services, Select Streaming Services (Activate by March 14, 2021)
- April-June 2021: Gas Stations & Home Improvement Stores (Activate starting March 15, 2021)
- July-September 2021: Coming Soon (Activate starting June 15, 2021)
- October-December 2021: Coming Soon (Activate starting September 15, 2021)
See Chase Freedom Flex FAQs \ See Chase Freedom FAQs
(Activate Your 5% at Chase)
Learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex card & the latest Chase Promotions.
Discover It
Below are the cash back categories for 2021:
- January-March 2021: Grocery Stores, Walgreens and CVS (Ends 3/31/2021)
- April-June 2021: Gas Stations, Wholesale Clubs and Select Streaming Services (Activation begins 2/1/2021)
- July-September 2021: Restaurants and PayPal (Activation begins 5/1/2021)
- October-December 2021: Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Target.com (Activation begins 8/1/2021)
Below are 2020’s cash back categories:
- January-March 2020: Grocery Stores, Walgreens and CVS (Ends 3/31/2020)
- April-June 2020: Gas Stations, Uber, Lyft and Wholesale Clubs (Activation begins 2/1/2020)
- July-September 2020: Restaurants and Paypal (Activation begins 5/1/2020)
- October-December 2020: Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Target.com AND Best Buy (11/25/2020 through 12/31/2020) (Activation begins 8/1/2020)
(Learn more at Discover)
Learn more about the Discover it card & the latest Discover Promotions.
US Bank Cash+ (Choice of 2 Categories):
Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined net purchases in your chosen 5% categories
- Choose two of the following:
- Home Utilities
- Electronics Stores
- Sporting Goods Stores
- Ground Transportation
- TV, Internet & Streaming
- Department Stores
- Select Clothing Stores
- Gyms/Fitness Centers
- Furniture Stores
- Cell Phones
- Fast Food
- Movie Theaters
(Activate Now at U.S. Bank)
Learn more about the U.S. Bank Cash+ card & the latest US Bank Promotions.
Citi Dividend:
- Amazon
- Select streaming services:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- CBS All Access
- Disney+
- AT&T TV NOW
- ESPN+
- fuboTV
- HBO Max
- NBA League Pass
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Showtime
- Sling TV
- Spotify
- Starz
- SiriusXM
- Vudu
- YouTube Red
- YouTube TV
- Tidal.
(Activate Now at Citi)
View the latest Citi Credit Card offers & the latest Citibank Promotions.
ABOC Platinum Rewards
Earn 5% cashback on your first $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter.
Below are the cash back categories for 2021:
- January-March 2021: Health & Wellness (Valid 1/1/21 – 3/31/21)
- Earn 5x points on qualifying groceries, fitness clubs, hospitals, and pharmacies. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.
- April-June 2021: Spring Spruce-Up (Valid 4/1/21 – 6/30/21)
- Earn 5x points on qualifying home improvement, gardening, Amazon.com, and other major online retailers. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.
- July-September 2021: Travel (Valid 7/1/21 – 9/30/21)
- Earn 5x points on qualifying airline, cruise, car rental, hotel, travel agency purchases, gas, tolls, and ride share. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.
- October-December 2021: Enjoy The Holidays (Valid 10/1/21 – 12/31/21)
- Earn 5x points on qualifying dining and groceries, food delivery services, liquor stores, and Amazon.com. Must have a registered account at abocrewards.com.
Below are the cash back categories for 2020:
- January-March 2020: Monthly Bills (Valid 1/1/20 – 3/31/20)
- Earn 5x points on qualifying utilities, cell, cable, Amazon Prime and streaming subscription services purchases. Must have a registered account at ABOCRewards.com.
- April-June 2020: Dining & Transportation (Valid 4/1/20 – 6/30/20)
- Earn 5x points on grocery, restaurants and several forms of transportation. Must have a registered account at ABOCRewards.com.
- July-September 2020: Travel (Valid 7/01/20 – 9/30/20)
- Earn 5x points on qualifying airline, cruise, car rental, hotel, travel agency purchases, gas, tolls, and ride share. Must have a registered account at ABOCRewards.com.
- October-December 2020: Department Stores (Valid 10/1/20 – 12/31/20)
- Earn 5x points on qualifying department and electronics stores, superstores, Amazon.com, and other major online retailers. Must have a registered account at ABOCRewards.com.
(Activate Now at ABOC)
Learn more about the ABOC Platinum Rewards card.
Nusenda Credit Union Platinum Cash Rewards
Below are the cash back categories for 2021:
- January-March 2021: Groceries & Gas Expenses (Valid 1/1/21 – 3/31/21)
- April-June 2021: Movies, Restaurants, & Home Improvements (Valid 4/1/21 – 6/30/21)
- July-September 2021: Gas Expenses & Education Expenses (Valid 7/1/21 – 9/30/21)
- October-December 2021: Restaurants, Hotels, & Airfare (Valid 10/1/21 – 12/31/21)
(Learn more at Nusenda Credit Union)
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Bottom Line
Keeping up with the cash/points back features of each card can be a juggle if you have several cards. Earning these rewards can definitely pile up over time with the potential to earn hundreds to even thousands of dollars per year depending your spending & strategy.
With that being said, it’s all in all free money right back in your pocket no matter how small or big your purchase as it will add up over the course of time. You’ll be able to redeem the rewards as statement credit, hotels, vacations, flights, gift cards, cash, and more!
To help pay off the credit card statements, you can take advantage of these bank bonuses and earn free cash rewards.
The Chase Freedom Flex offers a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! • Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. You cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back. You'll be able to new 5% categories each quarter! This card has no annual fee. |
 The U.S. Bank Cash+TM Visa Signature® Card offers new cardmembers a $150 bonus after spending $500 in eligible net purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. You'll be able to earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose. In addition, 2% cash back on your choice of one everyday category, like gas stations or grocery stores; 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. All with no limit on total cash back you can earn. This card comes with no annual fee. |
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A.B.O. Chicago is a 5 times points bonus not 5%. For instance you need 3328 Points for a $25 Statement credit. According to a voice mail, from Latoya, Air Travel is the only category where 5 points = 5%.
9/16/19 And note, their Rewards page lists more 5 points Categories then their leaflet.
There is an app on IOS and PlayStore – Maxivu that keeps track of all rotating categories and also recommends me which of my cards should I use at a particular location.
The US Bank card no longer includes charities as a category.
Please edit! Headline says 2nd Quarter ’17 .Chart headline says 1st Quarter ’17