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Sneak Peek: Discover’s Upcoming 5% Cash Back Categories

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    Discover revealed the 5% cash back bonus categories for January through March 2017.  You’ll earn the bonus on purchases at gas stations, ground transportation, and wholesale clubs.

    It’s still too soon to activate the bonus.  You’ll have to wait until December 1, 2016.  The bonus will apply to eligible purchases between January 1, 2017, and March 31, 2017.

    Here’s more about Discover’s quarterly bonuses.

    Discover 5X Categories January 2017

    Link:   Discover it® Cash Back Calendar

    You can get up to $75 cash back each quarter on bonus categories with your Discover it® Cash Back card.

    The Discover 5X categories starting January 2017 will be:

    You can activate the bonus starting December 1, 2016 for spending from January 2017 through March 2017.

    With this list of bonus categories, you’ll have many options to earn 5% back.

    For example, you can make in-store purchases with your card at wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club.  Or make online purchases with your card at Costco.  Remember, Costco only accepts Visa cards in-store.

    Use Your Discover it Cash Back card to Earn 5% Cash Back on Online Costco Purchases in Q1 2017

    And the ground transportation bonus category is broad.  It includes purchases like subway passes, railway tickets, taxis and tour bus tickets.  Plus, I suspect it will include Uber and Lyft spending.

    And the card has no foreign transactions fees, so you can use it on bonus purchases overseas!

    Folks fueling up will also earn 5% back at gas stations with the Discover it Cash Back card.  Keep in mind, gas stations at supermarkets may not be eligible.

    Discover it Cash Back Card Offer

    Link:   Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back card is great for folks who like cash back.  And it’s a no annual fee card with NO foreign transaction fees.

    Although I prefer the Chase Freedom card because you can earn flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points towards Big Travel instead of just cash back.

    But there’s a terrific perk for new Discover it cardmembers.  Discover will match the cash back you’ve earned after the 12th billing cycle.  So any purchases you made in the 5% bonus categories will get you 10% cash back!

    Bottom Line

    The Q1 2017 Discover 5% cash back bonus categories include gas stations, ground transportation, and wholesale clubs.  You can earn up to $75 cash back on bonus categories each quarter with Discover’s rotating bonus categories.

    Mark your calendar for December 1, 2016, to activate your Discover it Cash Back card for the first quarter 2017 bonus categories.

    Plus, there’s still time left activate your card to earn 5% cash back at department stores, Sam’s Club, & Amazon!

    And remember, if you’re a new cardmember, Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your 1st year on your credit card.

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)