It’s now possible to activate your 5% cash back credit cards for Q3, 2015. Below we’ve listed the four cards that require activation, what categories they’ll earn 5% in during this bonus period and any tactics we know of to generate spend in these categories.
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Chase Freedom – Gas Stations & Kohl’s
Obviously it makes sense to put your regular gas spending on the Freedom for this quarter, some gas stations also stock gift cards which could be useful for those manufactured spending. This is entirely regional, so you need to find out which stations near you do and don’t accept credit cards for gift card purchases. You can read our full Chase Freedom review here.
Discover it – Home Improvement Stores, Department Stores, and Amazon.com
If you’ve enrolled in the Double Cash promotion, you’ll actually earn 10% cash back in these categories (remember it starts the statement cycle after the one you enrolled in). Amazon.com will likely be a category in Q4 as well, so I wouldn’t be stocking up there if you can find any other useful purchases to make. Our full review of the Discover it card can be read here (remember the Discover it secured also earns 5% cash back)
Citi Dividend – Hilton & Airlines
Neither of these categories excite me, but remember this card has an annual spending limit of $6,000 rather than a quarterly limit. I’ll probably just wait until Q4 and make my purchases at Best Buy.
U.S Bank Choose Your Own Category
Now that Restaurants have been removed as a category, most people are just loaning funds on Kiva to get the 5% (minus any defaults) category filled. Is also useful if you have a lot of spend in any of the eligible categories.
