Credit Card News
Discover Reveals 5% Bonus Categories for Q3 2026
Updated on June 1, 2026
It’s that time again: Discover has unveiled its picks for next quarter’s 5% bonus categories.
About Discover’s Q3 2026 Bonus Categories:
From July through September of this year, Discover It cardmembers can earn up to 5% back in multiple categories — including a brand new one for the company. The third quarter bonus categories include Gas Stations, EV Charging, Public Transportation, Flights, and Drugstores.
Starting with the Gas Stations and EV Charging category, this includes merchants that sell automotive gasoline that can be purchased at the pump or inside the station. Public electric vehicle charging stations will also qualify. However, gas stations or EV chargers that are affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, or wholesale clubs may not be eligible for this category. Additionally, EV chargers that are inside of certain parking garages may also be excluded.
Next, the Drugstores category includes purchases made inside stand-alone drug stores or pharmacies as well as on online pharmacies. Meanwhile, pharmacies found inside of other retail stores may not be eligible.
That brings us to a newly expanded category: Transportation. Now, this will include local commuter passenger transport (buses, rail services, ferry services, etc.), long-range passenger landrail and bus charters, as well as flights. However, these purchases must be made directly with the merchant. In turn, purchases made via travel agencies, third-party travel sites, and the like will not qualify. Also excluded are car rentals, cruise lines, taxi/rideshare services, limos, parking garages, tolls, and more.
As a reminder, to earn 5% back in these categories starting on July 1st, cardholders must activate the offer on the Discover site or app. Additionally, the 5% rate is capped at a total of $1,500 in combined eligible bonus category spending. That means that, at most, customers can earn a total of $75 cashback from this offer during the quarter.
$100 Bonus
Looking to get started with Discover? For a limited time you can get a $100 bonus when you open a new account with this Fioney link.
Bonus OfferMy Thoughts:
It’s pretty exciting whenever Discover tries out a new 5% bonus category. Even better, when it’s something like “flights,” it seems as though many cardholders will have an easy time maxing out their quarterly bonus. That’s especially true for those who may not have a premium travel card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum Card.
I also love that this Transportation category is being paired with Gas/EV Charging. Basically, no matter how you travel this summer, there’s a way for you to earn 5% back (well, as long as you don’t use third parties to do it, I suppose).
Finally, for those staying closer to home, Drugstores is another easy-to-use category. All in all, this is a well-rounded lineup from Discover — which hopefully means lots of cashback for cardholders next quarter.
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