Credit Card News
Discover Unveils 5% Bonus Categories for Second Quarter of 2025
Discover has announced its selections for the categories customers can earn up to 5% back in during the second quarter of the year.
About the Discover Q2 bonus categories:
From April 1st through June 30th, Discover It cardholders can earn up to 5% back in two practical categories: Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs.
First, the Grocery Store category includes purchases at supermarkets, meat lockers, bakeries, and small grocery stores. Additionally, grocery delivery services qualify. As is usually the case with these categories, purchases at Walmart or Target are not eligible. Also possible exclusions are convience stores and discount stores.
As for the Wholesale Clubs category, Discover advises that cardholders ensure that Discover is accepted at their chosen location. This is likely because Costco only accepts Visa debit and credit cards in-store. In terms of other exclusions, certain services affiliated with a wholesale club, such as travel bookings, cell phone purchases, or delivery services may not qualify. Meanwhile, purchases from individual merchants or stand-alone stores found within Wholesale Club locations might also be excluded from this bonus category.
In order to earn the 5% bonus on these categories during the quarter, cardholders must activate the offer on the Discover site or in the app. The 5% earning rate is also capped at a total of $1,500 in combined bonus category spending per quarter. This means that It cardholders can earn a maximum of $75 cashback from this bonus offer.
Ahead of these categories going into effect, through March 30th, Discover It customers can still earn up to 5% back on Q1 bonus category selections: Restaurants, Home Improvement Stores, and Select Streaming Services.
What they’re saying:
In a blog post about next quarter’s categories, Discover VP Shannon Kors said, “We are excited that the 5% cash back categories let our cardmembers earn rewards where they’re already spending on their everyday purchases. Whether cardmembers are going on their weekly grocery run, stocking up on household essentials in bulk, or prepping for a spring picnic, they’ll earn 5% cash back along the way.”
My thoughts:
Speaking as a regular Sam’s Club shopper, I always look forward to Wholesale Clubs being included in these quarterly bonus categories. That’s especially true since these types of retailers are often excluded instead of featured. That said, it is ironic that one of the largest and most popular Wholesale Clubs in the country renders this bonus moot by not accepting Discover for payment in-store.
Meanwhile, the grocery store category is also a nice one to have if you’re looking to max out your bonus. I have a feeling that many cardholders will be able to make good use of this one overall (especially given the price of eggs, am I right?).
My only disappointment is that, at a time when Chase has been including four to five categories in its quarterly bonus, Discover only has the two this time around. At least they’re good ones — but I’d be interested in seeing them expand and shake things up a bit more in the second half of the year.
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