5% Categories For 2026 First Quarter
As we near the end of the fourth quarter it is just about time to turn the page for the new year. Hopefully you have already wrapped up your fourth quarter spend and are fully locked onto January 1st. If not, then get to it! For this post I wanted to share the 5% categories for 2026 first 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 3/13/26: March 14th is the last day to activate the Freedom Flex and Freedom OG first quarter bonus.
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):
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Dining
- Donations to the American Heart Association
This quarter for the Freedom Flex is kind of meh. Dining is decent, but there are tons of cards that earn a good return there already. The other two options, Norwegian Cruise Line and American Heart Association, are pretty niche. I would have liked to see a bit more meat on this bone. I feel like I have been saying that more often than not with the Freedom quarterly categories lately.
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 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:
- Grocery Stores
- Wholesale Clubs
- Select Streaming Services
Anytime you see grocery on the list you know that it is going to be a solid quarter. Then when you throw wholesale clubs on top of it you know you have a winner. This should be fairly easy for many to maximize.
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:
- Amazon
- Select Streaming Services
While I don't love Amazon as a quarterly category, since you can rack up big earnings there other ways, many people still do. If that is you then maybe you could dip into that $6,000 yearly cap more than a normal quarterly $1,500.
Activation Link
5% Categories For 2026 First Quarter: ToP Thoughts
The Discover card's quarterly categories is the clear winner for me this time around. While plenty of people will be able to rack up some earning in dining with the Freedom Flex card, I don't know that everyone will be able to max out the quarterly earning. The Citi Dividend comes in last, but it is also the least held card. Let me know which category you are looking most forward to over in the ToP Facebook Group.
