2026 Second Quarter 5% Categories
Hard to believe we're already finishing up the first quarter of 2026. Where does the time go? Hopefully you have already wrapped up your first quarter spend (or have a solid plan to get there). If not, then get to it! In this post I'll share the 5% categories for 2026 second quarter and provide shortcut activation links for each. It is best to activate each one today when they are ToP of mind so you don't forget. You wouldn't want to complete the spend and then wonder where your bonus points are.
Chase Freedom Flex (or OG Freedom – No Longer Available)
The categories for this upcoming quarter for the Freedom Flex, and OG Freedom, are as follows (5x earning on your first $1,500 in spend from all 3 combined):
- Amazon.com
- Chase TravelSM
- Donations to Feeding America
This quarter for the Freedom Flex is solid, in my opinion. Any purchase on Amazon should count towards the quarter and with such a wide array of products available this should be an easy category for most people to maximize. Additionally, the last time that Amazon was a category for the quarterly bonus, purchases at Whole Foods counted as well. The Chase Travel category is also interesting. If it stacks with the regular 5x/5% earnings on the Freedom Flex this could be a total of 9x earnings on the portal. That edges out the Sapphire Reserve at 8x. Of course, our usual caveats and warnings about booking through a portal should be considered if going this route.
Activation Link
Discover Card
Next up is the Discover card, my second favorite option and a new addition to my wallet. This card earns cash back and because Discover has no transfer partners. You can earn a cumulative 5% back on the first $1,500 in spend on the following categories this quarter:
- Restaurants
- Home Improvement Stores
Anytime you see restaurants on the list you know that it is going to be a good quarter. Home improvement stores are also a useful category, especially if you have any spring projects around the house. It should be fairly easy for most people to maximize the spend in these categories.
Activation Link
US Bank Cash+
This is a card I have had my eye on for a bit. I wouldn’t sign up for it directly though. The way to do it is to grab a very underrated US Bank Altitude Connect card and then downgrade it to this after the first 12 months. That is of course if you are past Chase 5/24 status and are not worried about getting back under soon. The card earns 5% back on up to $2,000 in spend each quarter, which is higher than most other options capped at $1,500. You also get to select 2 categories from their list which is a nice feature.
- Shopping
- Furniture stores
- Electronic stores
- Department stores
- Select clothing stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Services & Utilities
- Home utilities
- Cell phone providers
- Gyms/fitness centers
- Ground transportation
- Entertainment
- Movie theaters
- Fast food
- TV, internet and streaming
Activation Link
Citi Dividend
The precursor to the Citi Custom Cash, which is a really unique 5% option, was the Citi Dividend card. Unlike the Custom Cash, the Dividend works on the traditional 5% back on quarterly categories. The difference with the Dividend is that you get $6,000 per year across all quarters, so you can skip some and still maximize it. The categories for the card are as follows:
- Citi Travel Site
- Grocery stores
Just like with the Chase Freedom categories mentioned above, we don't like booking travel through portals. So that category is a big miss in my book. But grocery stores more than make up for what the Citi Travel Site category lacks. 5% earnings on groceries is about as good as it gets for everyday earnings on groceries. So if you didn't use your full $6,000 per year in quarter one, you could use as much of it as you like now.
Activation Link
5% Categories For 2026 First Quarter: ToP Thoughts
Lots of good options across the card categories this quarter. Avoid the enticement of booking through a travel portal, and use the other categories instead. I'm always happy to earn extra transferable points on my Amazon purchases, so I think the Chase Freedom categories are the best this quarter. But the Discover and Citi categories are solid as well. Across the board these options should be accessible for just aboout everyone. Let us know which category you are looking most forward to over in the ToP Facebook Group.
