How To Earn 5% Cashback From Discover Card

Want to make more money from your credit card? The Discover it Cash Back Card lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases. 

This means you can get money back on things you buy often. But to get the most cash back, you need to know how the card works. 

In this article, we’ll show you how to use your Discover it Card to earn more cash back. You could save hundreds of dollars each year. 

So let’s learn how to make your spending work for you and start earning more today.

What Is The 5% Cash Back On Discover Card 2024?

The Discover Credit Card 5% Cash Back Program is a smart way to earn money while you shop. It’s designed to reward you for your everyday spending. Instead of just buying things, you’re putting money back in your pocket.

In the following sections, we’ll break down exactly how this program works.

Rotating Categories

Every three months, Discover picks different types of stores or services where you can earn 5% cash back. These are called categories. For example, one quarter might be grocery stores, while another could be gas stations.

Activation

To get the 5% cash back, you need to turn it on. This is called activation. You can do this on Discover’s website or app at the start of each quarter. The dates to remember are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

Spending Limit

You can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter. After that, you’ll still earn cash back, but at a lower rate of 1%.

Other Purchases

For all other purchases not in the 5% category, you earn 1% cash back all the time.

Calendar

Discover shares a calendar that shows which categories will earn 5% cash back each quarter. This helps you plan your spending.

Cashback Match

For new cardholders, Discover will match all the cash back you earn in your first year. This means you could double your rewards.

To make the most of this program:

• Check the calendar often
• Activate your cash back each quarter
• Use your card for purchases in the 5% categories
• Keep track of how much you’ve spent towards the $1,500 limit
• You can also contact Discover customer service for more information.

How To Activate Discover It Cash Back Credit Card Rewards?

Activating your Discover It Cash Back Credit Card rewards is a simple process that you need to do every three months. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it:

When to Activate:

You need to activate your rewards four times a year, at the start of each quarter. The key dates to remember are:

• January 1 (for January to March)
• April 1 (for April to June)
• July 1 (for July to September)
• October 1 (for October to December)

How to Activate:

You have two main ways to activate your rewards: through the Discover website or the mobile app.

Using the Discover Website

• Open your web browser and go to discover.com
• Click on the “Log In” button, usually at the top right of the page
• Enter your username and password to access your account
• Once logged in, look for a section called “Manage Cash Back” or “Activate Bonus Categories”
• Click on this section
• You should see the current quarter’s categories. Click the button to activate them
• You might see a confirmation message. If so, you’re all set

Using the Discover Mobile App

• Download the Discover mobile app from your phone’s app store if you haven’t already
• Open the app and log in to your account
• Look for a section labeled “Activate Bonus Categories” or “Manage Cash Back”
• Tap on this section
• You should see the current quarter’s categories. Tap the button to activate them
• You might get a confirmation message. If you do, you’re good to go

Important Things to Remember

• You can activate at any time during the quarter, but it’s best to do it early
• Activation only works for future purchases, not ones you’ve already made
• Discover often lets you activate for the next quarter before it starts
• If you forget to activate, you’ll only earn 1% cash back instead of 5% on bonus categories
• Setting a reminder on your phone for each activation date can help you remember

How Do I Get 5% Back On My Discover card?

Getting the most out of your Discover It Credit Card’s 5% cash back program is easier than you might think. With a bit of planning and smart spending, you can boost your rewards and put more money back in your pocket. 

Let’s explore some practical tips to help you maximize your cash back earnings.

• Activate every quarter: Mark your calendar for January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. On these dates, go to the Discover website or app and activate your 5% cash back. This simple step is key to getting the most rewards.

• Know the categories: Discover changes its 5% cash back categories every three months. Check their website to see what’s coming up. Plan your spending around these categories to earn more rewards.

• Use your card for big purchases: You can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter. If you have a large purchase coming up that fits the category, use your Discover card to maximize your rewards.

• Don’t forget the 1% cash back: While the 5% categories are great, remember you still earn 1% on all other purchases. Use your Discover card for everyday spending to keep the rewards coming.

• Take advantage of the first-year match: If you’re a new cardholder, Discover will match all the cash back you earn in your first year. This means you can effectively earn 10% in the bonus categories and 2% on everything else.

• Pay your balance in full: To truly benefit from Discover cash back, pay your balance in full each month. This way, you avoid interest charges that can eat into your rewards.

• Set up automatic payments: Never miss a payment by setting up automatic payments from your bank account. This helps you avoid late fees and keeps your account in good standing.

• Use the Discover app: Download the Discover app to easily track your spending, activate your rewards, and see how much cash back you’ve earned.

Discover Card 5% Cash Back Calendar for 2024/2025

The 5% Discover Card Cash Back Calendar for 2024/2025 is a key tool for maximizing your rewards. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what we know so far:

2024 Calendar

First Quarter (January 1 – March 31, 2024):

• Restaurants: This includes eat-in and takeout from various dining establishments.
• Drugstores: Purchases at major pharmacy chains and local drugstores qualify.

Second Quarter (April 1 – June 30, 2024)

• Gas Stations: Fill-ups at most gas stations will earn 5% cash back.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: As more people switch to electric cars, this category becomes more relevant.
• Home Improvement Stores: Perfect for spring renovations and repairs.
• Public Transit: This likely includes bus, subway, and train fares.

Third Quarter (July 1 – September 30, 2024):

• Discover hasn’t announced these categories yet.
• They plan to reveal this information around July 15, 2024.
• Based on past years, categories like restaurants, PayPal, or online shopping might be included.

Fourth Quarter (October 1 – December 31, 2024):

• These categories are also not announced yet.
• Discover will likely share this information around October 15, 2024.
• Given the holiday season, we might see categories like Amazon.com or department stores.

2025 Calendar

• Discover hasn’t released any information about 2025 categories.
• They typically announce the next year’s first quarter sometime in the previous fall.
• Keep checking Discover’s website or app for updates.

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