Maximizing 4th Quarter 2016 5X Bonus Categories
The 4th quarter is nearly upon us. In addition to an onslaught of new deals, the 4th quarter brings in new, fresh and sometimes exciting categories on our favorite 5X rotating cards. All three of the major cards: Citi Dividend, Chase Freedom and Discover it have announced their 4th quarter categories. Let’s take a look and see how you can now register to earn your bonus.
Chase Freedom 4th Quarter 2016 5X Categories
The Chase Freedom will earn 5% (5X) at Department Stores, Wholesale Clubs and Drug Stores on up to $1,500 in spend from October 1 through December 31, 2016. Each of the categories is defined as follows:
- Department Stores – The Department Store category does not include supercenters, discount stores or specialty stores (i.e. stores that sell primarily one line of products such as shoe stores, pet stores, electronics stores, clothing stores); if a merchant is not on the list, you will not earn bonus rewards.
- Wholesale Clubs – Does not include gas, fuel, wholesale club specialty service purchases such as travel, insurance, cell phone and home improvement. Check with your local wholesale clubs to see if your Chase Freedom card is accepted.
- Drug Stores – Does not include merchants that sell a wide variety of goods including prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, supplements and various health-related items, and which may contain an on-site pharmacy, for example, warehouse clubs, discount stores, or grocery stores.
Maximizing
This shouldn’t be too difficult to maximize. You will have your pick of drug stores like Walgreen, Rite Aid and CVS, warehouse chains like Costco or Sam’s Club and even department stores like Kohl’s and Macy’s.
Activating
To earn 5X on the Chase Freedom in the 4th quarter, you must activate the bonus on each of your Freedom cards by December 14, 2016. You can activate the bonus by logging into your Chase Freedom account or by visiting this page.
Discover it 4th Quarter 2016 5X Categories
The Discover it card will earn 5% cashback at Amazon.com, Department Stores and Sam’s Club on up to $1,500 spend from October 1 through December 31, 2016.
- Department Stores are defined as retailers selling a wide variety of merchandise, with separate checkout counters in each department.
Maximizing
Obviously there is some overlap in categories between these cards, but there is still some opportunity. Sam’s Club sells gift cards, even cards that have a PIN. Amazon is a great place to shop for the holidays and they also had a number of profitable gift card deals last year around Black Friday.
Activating
You will not earn 5% cashback unless you activate the bonus before making your purchases. The 4th quarter bonus categories can be activated now by visiting this page and logging into your account.
Citi Dividend 4th Quarter 2016 5X Categories
The Citi Dividend card will earn 5% cashback at Best Buy & Department Stores from October 1 through December 31, 2016. Cashback is capped at $300 per year on the card and can be earned in any amount up to the annual limit.
- Department stores are larger merchants that sell a general line of apparel, home furnishings, furniture, electronics, cosmetics, housewares and major appliances. They have several departments that usually have separate checkout counters.
Maximizing
I personally purchase a lot of stuff at Best Buy and have been really lax with my Dividend cards this year so I will be using them there. Hopefully most of you maxed out your Dividend cards in the 2nd quarter when Drug Stores were a bonus category.
Activating
You will not earn 5% cashback unless you activate the bonus before making your purchases. The 4th quarter bonus categories can be activated now by visiting this page and logging into your account.
Conclusion
You can now activate the 4th quarter bonus categories on all three of the major 5% rotating category cards and you should probably do it before you forget. While there is definitely some overlap, there is a lot of opportunity for maximizing and we will no doubt see a ton of deals come along as well. Happy 5Xing!
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2 Discovers and a Freedom. Next quarter is gonna be awesome!
Discover is probably the best of the three with Amazon, especially if you’re a new cardmember with the double cash opportunity. However, I think what I like the most is the three cards pretty much cover most of your holiday shopping options. Between Amazon, Department Stores, Drugstores, Wholesale clubs, and Best Buy, you’ve pretty much got everything covered.
Is Simon Mall GC considered department store purchase by Citi dividen?
I don’t believe so.