5% Categories In 2023 Second Quarter
The end of the first quarter is fast approach and it is time to flip the page into quarter two. I am always pretty excited when these reset since that means I have the chance at another 7,500 points or $75 in cash back. I’ll go over each cards categories and give you the quick activation links to ensure you are ready to roll. Don’t be me and forget to activate one of these, like I did last quarter. Hit it now and move on to the spending portion of this presentation.
Update 6/12/23: You only have a few days left to make sure these are activated. Don't make the mistake I did once and do the spend and not realize you never activated it until it is too late!
Chase Freedom Flex (or OG Freedom – No Longer Available)
Let’s kick it off with everyone’s favorite 5%, or 5X back, option, the Chase Freedom Flex. These are also the categories for the original Freedom card, which is no longer available for sign ups. Earn an additional 4X, for 5X total, on the first $1,500 in spend in the following categories:
- Lowe's
- Amazon.com
Remember that this is a cumulative amount and not $1,500 per option. So $1000 spent at Amazon and $1000 spent at Lowe's would only earn you the additional points on the first $1,500 of that spend.
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:
- Restaurants
- Wholesale Clubs
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. And, you 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
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 $1,500 in spend each quarter set up. The categories for the card for the second quarter of 2023 are as follows:
- Drugstores
- Grocery Stores
Of course the one card I don't have is the best option for this quarter!
5% Categories In 2023 Second Quarter: ToP Thoughts
This quarter isn't quite as good as last quarter. The best, by far, is the Citi Dividend card and it is probably the card the least amount of people have. I never love an Amazon quarter since there are so many ways to earn 5% back on those purchases year round. And pairing it with Lowe's just doesn't give it much juice. Wholesale clubs for the Discover card are a bit misleading since Discover doesn't work inside all of them, hello Costco in store. The US Bank Cash+ is pretty much the same every quarter so if you find something that works it will be a good option for you.
Take the time and do these activations while it is ToP of mind though. Don’t be like me and cost yourself some points or money!
