The Discover it® Cash Back Card is a $0-annual-fee card that could be an interesting addition to your wallet.
That’s because it earns a whopping 5% cash-back in quarterly rotating categories. This card might not be the best choice for all of your spending, but taking advantage of these 5% cash-back categories is a great way to supercharge your earnings.
The new Discover Cash Back card categories for 2026 Q3 (July to September) have been announced, and this post will show you how to make the most of them.
Discover 5% Cash-Back Categories 2026: Q3 July to September
The new 5% cash-back categories for the Discover Cash Back card in 2026 Q3 (July to September) are gas stations, EV charging, public transportation, flights, and drugstore purchases. From July 1 through September 30, 2026, you can earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in purchases within these categories.
You’ll earn 1% cash-back on any purchases in these categories over the $1,500 cap and on all other purchases.
Gas station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline, whether at the pump or inside the station, and at public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas and EV stations attached to supermarkets or other businesses might not qualify.
Transportation and flight purchases include airlines, local commuter and long-distance transport, cruises, ferries, and trains. Purchases made from travel aggregator sites, car rentals, taxis, and other purchases aren’t included.
Drugstore purchases include stand-alone drugstores, pharmacies, and online pharmacies. Pharmacies inside other retail stores may not qualify.
Any additional limitations for the current 5% category are available on this page.
Plus, through June 30, you can continue to earn 5% back — up to the $1,500 purchase limit — in the Q2 categories. Those are restaurants and home improvement stores.
Benefits of the Discover Cash Back Card
If you’re in the market for a cash-back card, the Discover Cash Back card is one to consider.
For starters, this card offers an unheard-of welcome offer:
- Earn an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year.
For example, if you earn $300 cash-back during your first year as a cardholder, you get an additional $300 cash-back at the end of the year. This cash-back match offer is unlimited.
The Discover Cash Back card earns 1% back on purchases, which isn’t all that exciting, even for a card without an annual fee. However, it also offers rotating 5% cash-back categories each quarter, which is an excellent way to earn substantial cash-back throughout the year.
You can redeem your cash-back in any amount at any time, and your rewards do not expire for the life of the account.
How Your 5% Cash-Back Works
Each quarter, you can earn 5% cash-back in select categories, up to $1,500 in purchases. Any purchases over the $1,500 threshold and any purchases in nonbonus categories earn 1%. You must activate the bonus each quarter.
You won’t earn 5% cash-back retroactively, so be sure to activate your bonus as early as possible each quarter.
This card operates similarly to the Chase Freedom Flex®, which also has rotating 5% cash-back categories.
2026 Discover Cash Back Card Bonus Categories
Q1: January to March
- Grocery stores
- Warehouse clubs
- Select streaming services
Q2: April to June
- Restaurants
- Home improvement stores
Q3: July to September
- Gas stations and EV charging
- Transportation and flights
- Drugstore purchases
Q4: October to December
- TBD
Final Thoughts
The Discover Cash Back card offers 5% cash-back in rotating categories each quarter. The new categories for Q3 of 2026 are gas stations, EV charging, transportation, flights, and drugstore purchases. You’ll earn 5% cash-back (up to $1,500 in purchases) from July to September 2026 in these categories.
Plus, you can continue to earn 5% cash-back in the 2026 Q2 categories (restaurants and home improvement stores) until June 30, 2026.