5% Categories For 2026 3rd Quarter
Nothing quite gets the juices flowing like a 5x earning swipe. Okay, outside of massive welcome offers and spending bonuses at least. However, if you are in a bonus dry spell then 5x earning is where you look for that spending high. Here are all of the currently available 5% categories for 2026’s 3rd quarter. I have even included easy access activation links for each card. Make sure you lock them in now so you don’t miss out when the calendar flips to July!
Chase Freedom Flex (Original / Vanilla Freedom – No Longer Available)
The categories for this upcoming quarter for the Freedom Flex, and original Freedom, are as follows (5x earning on your first $1,500 in spend from all 3 combined):
- Gas stations
- Select live entertainment
- United way
- Activation Link
I know many have been waiting for the Chase Freedom gas quarter. Well, here it is – rejoice. For others who don’t drive or have an electric car this can be a tough one. Especially when the other options don’t offer a ton of value. I will say that many gas stations do sell other things in store that may be useful to you.
Discover Card
Next up is the Discover card, which is probably my favorite option these days. We do have four of them between the wife and myself. Over the last year or two I have found their categories to have more meat on the bone compared to the competition. You can earn a cumulative 5% back on the first $1,500 in spend on the following categories this quarter:
- Gas Stations
- Transportation
- Drug Stores
- Activation Link
Vroom, vroom. Another gas quarter coming our way! At least this one includes other transportation and drug stores, which should make it easier for many non drivers to use.
US Bank Cash+
The US Bank Cash+ earns 5% back on up to $2,000 in spend each quarter. That is a bit different from the first two cards, which is capped at $1,500. You also get to select 2 categories from their list which is nice, even if a little more limited since nothing changes:
- Shopping
- Furniture stores
- Electronic stores
- Department stores
- Select clothing stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Services & Utilities
- Home utilities
- Cell phone providers
- Gyms/fitness centers
- Ground transportation
- Entertainment
- Movie theaters
- Fast food
- TV, internet and streaming
- Activation Link
I really wish they didn’t make you sign up each and every quarter. It should be a kind of set it and forget it unless you wanted to change it up. The options are unique compared to other card’s options, while somehow also being a bit blah because the upside is a little limited.
Citi Dividend
The difference with the Citi Dividend card when compared to the others on this list is that you get $6,000 per year across all quarters. Which allows you to skip some quarters and still maximize your entire spending cap. The categories for the card are as follows:
- Gas stations
- Home improvement stores
- Activation Link
It seems like everyone got the same memo this quarter, which is kind of annoying. I would rather them be layered over the year, especially for people that struggle with gas stations. At least the Dividend has home improvement stores lumped in there too. Plus, this one you can pick the quarter you like best and max out the full $6,000 then if you want.
Maximizing 5x Categories
If you like the gas category then you are going to love this quarter. If not, then this will be a tough one for you. At least Discover and Citi added in a couple of other good options to go along with gas. Chase, on the other hand, didn’t do you the same solid.
Let me know how you plan on maximizing the third quarter of 2026 5% spend down below or in the MTM Facebook Group.
The Flex includes EV Charging.