5% Categories For 2025 Third Quarter
As we near the end of the second quarter it is just about time to turn the page to the third quarter of 2025. Hopefully you have already wrapped up your second quarter spend, and are fully locked onto July 1st. If not, then get to it! For this post I wanted to share the 5% categories for 2025 third 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… Update 9/11/25: You only have a few days left to activate these if you haven't already. A couple of the issuers, like Chase, will still reward you for your spend even if you didn't remember to activate the quarter before.
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):
- Instacart
- Gas stations
- EV charging
- Select live entertainment
Winner, winner chicken dinner. I do love myself some gas 5x earning! I think this is a solid quarter for the Freedom cards even for people that don't drive much. Ticket prices for live entertainment are through the roof, so that could be a good option. Plus, a lot of stuff is included in that category (more on that below). Instacart is useful to many as well.
Here is what Chase has to say about select live entertainment:
Merchants in this category sell tickets for live in-person entertainment such as major sporting events, zoos and aquariums, concerts, theatrical productions, museums, tourist attractions and exhibits, amusement parks, circuses, carnivals, bands, and entertainers. Ticket agencies selling on behalf of the entertainment venue are included. Some merchants that sell tickets for in-person entertainment are not included in this category; for example, movie theaters, bowling alleys, horse racing tracks, casinos, and dance hall/clubs. Purchasing from a hotel/concierge is not included nor excursions or purchases as part of a travel package.
Activation Link
Discover Card
Next up is the Discover card, my second favorite option solely because I have several 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:
- Gas Stations
- EV Charging
- Public Transit
- Utilities
Just when I was falling in love with the Freedom quarter Discover comes in and drops a hammer. More gas? Uh, yes please! I really like the utilities being added in this quarter's categories though. That is an area we almost never earn bonus points or cash back in. It is also an area of big spend for many over three months.
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:
- Gas stations
- Home improvement stores
Wow, looks like everyone got the gas station memo this quarter. It is rare for them all to sync up like this. It could make it hard for people to maximize if they carry more than one 5x / 5% earning card though. The home improvement stores addition here could do the heavy lifting for many instead.
Activation Link
5% Categories For 2025 Third Quarter: ToP Thoughts
I hope everyone is ready to go all Fast & The Furious around here with all of this 5x gas earning. I can't remember a time when all three card options had the same main category. Luckily for us they also have some other compelling options listed to go along with it. This is one of the best quarters I can remember in terms of every single issuer offering something pretty useful.
Let me know which option is your favorite for the second quarter over in the ToP Facebook Group.
