5% Categories For 2025 Second Quarter

As we near the end of the first quarter it is just about time to turn the page for the second quarter of 2025. Hopefully you have already wrapped up your first quarter spend, and are fully locked onto April 1st. If not, then get to it! For this post I wanted to share the 5% categories for 2025 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. Who would do such a thing? Hi, it's me, I'm the idiot, it's me. Don't be Mark…

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 options combined):

• Amazon
• Select streaming services
  • These are likely the list of streaming services.

Many will love this quarter just based on Amazon. I, on the other hand, think this is often the Freedom's weakest quarter. That is especially true if you have multiple Freedom cards in your household.

Activation Link

Discover Card

Next up is the Discover card, my second favorite option solely because I have a few of them. This card earns cash back 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:

• Grocery stores
• Wholesale clubs

This should be one of the easier quarters for many. I am ready to wear out our 4 Discover cards in the 2nd quarter.

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 one spend set up. 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:

• Grocery
• Travel booked with Citi

Some may prefer to lean a bit heavier this quarter with it being grocery. That is possible since you can go all the way up to the full $6,000 in spend for the year this quarter, assuming nothing spent in the first quarter.

Activation Link

5% Categories For 2025 Second Quarter: ToP Thoughts

I think most people will be happy with the 5% categories for 2025 second quarter. They have some big areas of spend listed, like Amazon and grocery. Hopefully everyone doesn't dump gas in the third quarter at the same time. It would be better if the companies would spread that out over the year, assuming you carry a few different brands of these 5% back earning cards.

Let me know which option is your favorite for the second quarter over in the ToP Facebook Group.