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- Many banks have introduced limited-time bonuses for credit card spending in popular quarantine-friendly categories like food delivery, streaming services, and online shopping.
- Other cards, like the
Chase Freedom Flex℠ andDiscover it® Cash Back , rotate bonus categories each quarter and earn 5x rewards up to a spending limit. - These limited-time offers come and go, but we'll update this post periodically with the most current bonuses to help you make the most of your spending.
- See Business Insider's guide to the best rewards credit cards.
Credit card issuers have introduced new ways to earn and redeem rewards and added valuable benefits and perks in response to the coronavirus-related shift in consumer buying habits. To keep their cards at the top of customers' minds (and wallets), banks have also periodically increased rewards earnings in common quarantine spending categories, including grocery stores, streaming services, and food delivery.
The result? Despite the pandemic, many of us are earning more credit card points than ever, even if we've had to curb our spending and stay close to home. This is especially true for those who already make the most of cards with rotating quarterly bonus categories, like the
Yes, these bonuses can be lucrative — especially if you're already making lots of purchases in these categories. But before you switch your spending to a card with a limited-time category bonus, it's wise to compare the boosted earning rate — and the value of the rewards you'd receive — to what you'd otherwise earn by using one of the best rewards credit cards instead.
You might also skip an increased category bonus if the rewards currency doesn't appeal to you or if you're focused on saving a different type of points or miles for a specific redemption.
Because these credit card spending bonuses eventually expire, and new offers pop up all the time to meet changing customer needs, it can be hard to keep track and maximize your rewards. To help, we've put together a list of the latest limited-time bonuses in the most popular categories, so you can choose the right credit card for your purchases.
Grocery store bonuses
Chase Sapphire cards — up to 3x on groceries
Until April 30, 2021, you'll automatically earn 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on groceries with the
In addition, you can stack this bonus with Chase's Pay Yourself Back feature, which gets you more value from your points when you redeem them toward grocery, gas, and home improvement store purchases, as well as charitable donations. When you use this option, your points are worth 50% more if you have the
Chase airline and hotel cards — up to 5x on groceries
If you don't have a Chase Sapphire card (or have already maximized your card's bonus), check your email to see if you're targeted for a grocery bonus on your Chase co-branded credit card. This promotion, which also applies to Amazon purchases, includes select airline and hotel credit cards such as the
Depending on the card, you'll earn a total of 3x or 5x points on up to $1,500 in combined grocery and Amazon spending per month in November and December. This offer is targeted, and you'll need to activate it through the link you get in your email — it's not automatic.
Bonuses at Amazon.com
Discover it Q4 rotating category bonus — 5% cash back at Amazon
It seems you can buy just about anything online these days, so earning increased rewards on Amazon purchases — especially with the holiday shopping season fast approaching — is an easy win. For the fourth quarter of the year, Discover's rotating 5% cash-back bonus categories are Amazon.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com.
Once you activate the bonus on cards like the
Chase airline and hotel cards — 5x at Amazon
As noted earlier, you may be targeted for a bonus of 5x points or miles at Amazon with certain Chase co-branded credit cards. If you're eligible and activate the bonus, you can earn 5x on up to $1,500 in Amazon purchases per month (combined with grocery stores) until December 31.
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant — 8x at Amazon
Until December 27,
Keep in mind this bonus doesn't apply to Marriott Bonvoy cards issued by Chase. However, in the coming weeks,
Walmart bonuses
Chase Freedom Flex Q4 rotating category bonus — 5% back or 5x points at Walmart
Both the new
From October through December, the Chase Freedom bonus categories are Walmart and PayPal, and you'll have to activate the bonus by December 14 to get in on the deal. Once you activate, you'll receive the bonus on eligible spending all the way back to the first day of the quarter, so don't fret if you don't remember to activate right away.
Discover it Q4 rotating category bonus — 5% cash back at Walmart.com
In addition to Amazon and Target.com, the Discover Q4 rotating category bonus includes Walmart.com. You'll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases across these categories until December 31 (then 1% back), but it's important to note that the bonus only applies to Walmart.com purchases online or through the Walmart app (including grocery and in-store pickup).
Shopping at brick-and-mortar Walmart locations won't trigger the bonus, so keep your
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant — 8x at Walmart.com
Similarly, until December 27, the
Dining and restaurant bonuses
American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold and Platinum — 4x miles at restaurants
It's hard to beat the transferable bonus points you'd earn with some of the best credit cards for dining, like 4x American Express Membership Rewards points with the
However, if you're a Delta flyer, earning 4x Delta miles on restaurant purchases (including takeout and delivery) with the
Capital One Venture and Savor cards — 5x miles or 5% back with Uber Eats
Those who prefer to order in rather than dine out could earn a boatload of rewards if they use the
These cards are offering 5x miles or 5% cash back on Uber Eats purchases through January 31, 2021. There's no enrollment required and, even better, no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn.
Bonuses on streaming services
Capital One Savor cards — earn up to 4% back on streaming subscriptions
Staying home has meant more consumers are turning to streaming services for entertainment, so this is another easy category to maximize for a lot of of people. Capital One introduced a limited-time cash-back bonus on streaming purchases with its Savor cards earlier this year, and it's been extended through January 31, 2021.
With the
Hotel and airline bonuses
Chase Marriott credit cards — up to 10x at Marriott Bonvoy hotels
If you're a Chase Marriott cardholder and are traveling before December 31, be sure to register your credit card to earn a total of 10x points at eligible Marriott Bonvoy properties (gift cards count, as well). You'll earn the bonus on up to $3,500 in spending until the end of the year, and you can activate the offer either by email link or on the Chase website.
Eligible cards include the
American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold and Platinum cards — up to 5x at Delta
Frequent flyers can earn bonus miles on Delta purchases through December 31 when they use their
