Below chart gives you the Credit Cards 5% Cash Back Quarterly Categories for several cards like the Chase Freedom Flex / Freedom, Discover It, Citi Custom Cash, 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.
Update 9/28/26: Q4 is almost here, so you can start making purchases to earn 5% for the categories you find useful.
2026 Credit Card 5% Cash Back Categories
| Credit Card | 5% Cash Back Limits | Activate | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex ($200 bonus) | Up to $1,500/quarter spent in bonus categories | Activate | Review |
| Discover it® ($100 bonus) | Up to $1,500/quarter spent in bonus categories | Activate | Review |
| US Bank Cash+ ($200 bonus) | Up to $2,000/quarter spent in bonus categories | Activate | Review |
| Ink Business Cash® Card ($750 bonus) | Up to $25,000 per year on office supply stores, internet, cable, & phone services | N/A | Review |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (AHA $300 bonus) | 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases. 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. | N/A | Review |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card ($150 bonus) | No Limit, Year Round. 5% at Amazon & Whole Foods. *Must have Amazon Prime | N/A | Review |
| Target REDcard | No Limit, Year Round @ Target | N/A | Review |
| Abound Visa® Platinum Credit Card | 5% cash back on gas | N/A | Review |
| AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card ($100 bonus) | 5% cash back on grocery store purchases | N/A | Review |
| AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card ($100 bonus) | 5% cash back on gas purchases and electric vehicle-charging stations | N/A | Review |
Earn 5% Back
Chase Freedom Flex / Chase Freedom
The Chase Freedom has a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spend on 5x categories per account. Below are the categories for 2026:
- October-December 2026:
- Grocery Stores (excludes Walmart and Target)
- Dining
- Donations to American Red Cross®
See Chase Freedom Flex FAQs \ See Chase Freedom FAQs
(Activate Your 5% at Chase)
 The Chase Freedom FlexSM offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR. You'll earn: • 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! • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel?, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service • Unlimited 1% cash back 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. This card has no annual fee. |
Discover It
The Discover it has a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spend on 5% categories. Below are the cash back categories for 2026:
- October-December 2026:
- Restaurants
- Entertainment (includes movie theaters, sports promoters, theatrical promoters, concert promoters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, video rental locations, pool halls and bowling alleys.)
- Utilities (includes residential electricity, natural gas, water service, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile and landline phone service.)
(Learn more at Discover)
Editor’s Note: Sign up through our referral link for a $100 bonus.
Citi Dividend
The Citi Dividend earns 5% cash back on a cumulative total of $6,000 in spend per year rather than on $1,500 spend per quarter. Below are the cash back categories for 2026:
- October-December 2024:
- Restaurants – Dining is always a favorite category.
- Citi Travel – Eligible purchases include hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel site. Excludes air travel purchases.
(Learn more at Citi)
Editor’s Note: The Citi Dividend is no longer available for signups.
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:
- Fast Food
- Cell Phone Providers
- Home Utilities
- Ground Transportation
- Select Clothing Stores
- Electronics Stores
- Car Rentals
- Gyms/Fitness Centers
- Sporting Goods Stores
- Department Stores
- Furniture Stores
- Movie Theaters
- TV, Internet, and Streaming Services
(Activate Now at U.S. Bank)
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card:
Earn 5% Cash Back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
- Office supply stores
- On internet, cable and phone services
 The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers $1,000 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 4 months after account opening. You'll earn: • 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year • 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year • 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn. This card comes with no annual fee. You'll be able to take advantage of employee cards at no additional cost. |
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
- 6% cash back at US supermarkets all year long (on up to $6,000 per year)
- 6% cash back at select US streaming subscriptions (includes Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Netflix, Sling, Vudu, Fubo TV, Apple Music, SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube TV, and more).
- 3% cash back at US gas stations and transit (taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
 The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive the $300 back in the form of a statement credit. Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It(R) to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors. Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR. You'll earn • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). • 1% Cash Back on other purchases. • $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. The card does come with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
Amazon Prime Rewards Card
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods all year long. Prime membership required. New cardholder bonus varies by person. No annual fee.
($100 bonus)
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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.