2026 Third Quarter 5% Categories
We're nearly at the halfway point of the year—which means fresh bonus points opportunities on some of our favorite cards. Let's preview the new 2026 third quarter 5% categories. The first rule of the quarterly spend categories: Make sure to activate them. We've provided shortcut links for each below. Enroll in them as you read, so you don't forget. And on that note, if you haven't wrapped up your second quarter categories, make sure to check them off too.
Chase Freedom Flex (or OG Freedom – No Longer Available)
The 2026 third quarter 5% categories for the Freedom Flex, and OG Freedom, are as follows (5x earning on your first $1,500 in spend from all 3 combined):
- Gas stations and EV charging
- Public transit
- Select live entertainment
- United Way
- See the list of inclusions and exclusions here.
This category should be useful for a range of summer activities. Select live entertainment includes events like concerts, sporting events, zoos and amusement parks. Gas includes merchants that sell gasoline that can be paid for at the pump or inside the station. Merchants that don't specialize in automotive gas are excluded (like truck stops, boat marinas, oil and propane distributors, and home heating companies). Public transit includes trains, buses, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages. The United Way category includes donations to United Way through its official channels.
Activation Link
Discover Card
The Discover card is another great quarterly spend option. (In fact, the 5% rotating categories are part of why we think this card is worth a slot in your wallet once over 5/24.) It earns a cumulative 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in spend the quarterly categories. You can activate the 2026 third quarter 5% categories now:
- Gas stations and EV charging
- Transportation
- Drug stores
Well-timed for seasonal travel, the transportation genre includes spend through airlines and commuter passenger transport (including busses and bus charters and rail and ferry services). Exclusions include car rentals, cruise lines, taxis and rideshares, limos, parking garages and tolls. Purchases through travel agencies, aggregator sites or third-party booking services also may not qualify. The gas category includes those made at merchants that code as gas and sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station, as well as public electric vehicle charging stations. Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, wholesale clubs and parking garages may be ineligible. Lastly, the drug store category includes standalone drug stores and pharmacies. Pharmacies located inside of larger retail stores may not qualify.
Activation Link
US Bank Cash+
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 to categories from its list, for some nice flexibility. The best way to get this card is to grab a US Bank Altitude Connect card and then downgrade it to this after the first 12 months. (As long as you are securely over 5/24, of course.)
- 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
How To Activate
Citi Dividend
The Citi Dividend card was the precursor to the Citi Custom Cash (a unique 5% option that also recently closed to new applications). Unlike the Custom Cash, though, the Dividend works with a traditional 5% back on quarterly categories format. It's good for up to $6,000 in spend per year across all quarters, meaning you can skip some quarters and still maximize it for a total of $300 cash back. You can now activate the 2026 third quarter 5% categories for the card, which are as follows:
- Gas stations
- Home improvement stores
The gas category excludes gasoline purchases at warehouse clubs, discount stores, convenience stores or other merchants that don't code as gas. The home improvement category is broad, covering purchases at home supply warehouse stores, lumber and building materials stores, paint and wallpaper stores, hardware stores, lawn and garden supply stores and nurseries, and paints, varnishes and supplies stores. Florists/florist supply stores, nursery stock, wholesale construction stores and glass stores are excluded. Both categories are well timed for summer projects and trips. And if you didn't use your full $6,000 per year in quarter one, you can knock out as much of it as you want to now.
Activation Link
5% Categories For 2026 Third Quarter: ToP Thoughts
Gas up! Gas and transportation are definitely the running themes of the 2026 third quarter 5% categories—timely for summer roadtrips and commuting alike. The Citi home improvement category is a solid option for those who are hoping to complete some large projects this season. Overall, these options should have pretty broad appeal and be useful to many. Let us know which category you are looking most forward to over in the ToP Facebook Group.
