Discover Q1 2017 Bonus Categories
Every year we wait in anticipation for Discover, Chase and Citi to release the next year’s bonus categories for their various rotating 5%/5X cards. Ok, maybe it isn’t the biggest news in the world, but I do look with anticipation when it comes. Thankfully Discover is the first out of the gate this time and the news is good.
In 2016 Discover offered 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in spend on gas and ground transportation. The good news is that they aren’t switching it up very much in 2017. In fact, they are simply adding the “Wholesale Club” category to the mix.
- Gas Stations affiliated with superstores and supermarkets may not be eligible.
- Ground Transportation is defined as local and suburban commuter transportation, including: ferries, passenger railways, taxicabs, limousines/rental cars and charter/tour bus lines. Ground Transportation purchases made through travel agencies or travel aggregator sites will not be eligible. Check with your
- Wholesale Club to make sure your Discover card is accepted. Purchases made using tap-and-pay, mobile or wireless card readers, virtual wallets or similar technology may not be eligible.
Opportunities to Maximize
Many gas stations sell gift cards, but some accept cash only. Thankfully you can pay for your actual gas and fill out the $1,500 in spending on ground transportation and at warehouse clubs such as Sam’s Club. Of course, Sam’s Club sells a variety of gift cards as I covered the other day and almost all locations accept credit cards for their purchase.
Q4 2016 Categories
As a reminder, don’t jump ahead to 2017 just yet. Through the end of 2016 your Discover card earns 5% cashback at Amazon.com, Department Stores and Sam’s Club. There is that pesky Sam’s Club again! They are everywhere.
You can find the Q4 2016 and Q1 2017 bonus categories on Discover’s calendar page.
Conclusion
It is nice to get the first of these announcements and hopefully the other banks will follow. I do miss the days when the entire calendar would be announced ahead of time, but I sort of understand why they don’t do that anymore. Either way, between gas and wholesale clubs, quarter 1 should be some fun with a Discover card.
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Which Discover card pays these quarterly 5x bonuses?
The “Discover it Card.” If you don’t have it already I suggest using a friend or affiliate link for sign up bonus. The referrer will get $50 and so will you.
I’ll be buying $1,500 worth of Costco gift cards (online) in Q1. I have DCB with Discover through Q2 2017 so a cool 10% at Costco can’t be beat.
Between Freedom 5x with warehouses this year and being covered through Q1 next year I’m getting great value. I’ll probably stock up on Costco GC to get me through March and then buy $1.5k worth mid-March with Discover. For anyone looking to buy at Costco.com with your Discover card it’s important to know that it’ll take a few days, possibly even a week, before the charge shows up. For whatever reason they don’t post the purchase date until the cards are shipped, which takes a while. I’ve read that Chase will backdate the purchase for 5x but I personally wouldn’t want to have to monitor the situation. I know Discover doesn’t backdate BUT I’ve been successful in having credit manually added. They’re great service but again, not trying to invest more time than is needed to get the bonus spend.
Love me some Sam’s Club!!!