This page includes information about the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back products, which are currently not available on Business Insider and may be out of date.
- Please note: While the offers mentioned below are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
- Many banks have introduced limited-time bonuses for credit card spending in popular quarantine-friendly categories like food delivery, streaming services, and drugstores.
- 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
New Amex Platinum cardholders — 10x at US supermarkets
Combined with valuable perks like up to $30 per month in PayPal statement credits from January to June, up to $100 in Saks credits per year, and up to $200 per year in Uber credits, the grocery bonus makes the
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 co-branded Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and United cards — 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 bonus on your Chase co-branded credit card. This promotion includes select airline and hotel credit cards such as the
With this offer, you'll earn 5x points or miles on up to $1,500 in combined purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and drugstores until March 31. This offer is targeted, and you'll need to activate it through the link you get in your email — it's not automatic.
Discover Q1 rotating category bonus — 5% back on groceries
For the first quarter of 2021, the
Select Citi cards — 5x on groceries
Some Citi cardholders have received an email with a targeted offer to earn 5x points at grocery stores, gas stations, drugstores, mass transit, and commuter transportation vendors. Registration is required through the targeted email, and you'll receive the bonus on up to $250 in combined spending through March 31.
Bonuses at gas stations
New Amex Platinum cardholders — 10x at US gas stations
Along with US grocery stores, new
Chase co-branded Hyatt, Marriott, and United cards — 5x on at gas stations
Included with the grocery and drugstore bonus mentioned above, select co-branded Chase cardholders can earn 5x points or miles on up to $1,500 in combined purchases through March 31.
Amex Business Platinum — 5x at gas stations
There's a new Amex Offer for eligible cardholders with
Select Citi cards — 5x at gas stations
Like the grocery bonus mentioned above, there are targeted offers on some Citi cards to earn 5x points at grocery stores, gas stations, drugstores, mass transit, and commuter transportation vendors. Activate the bonus through the targeted email, and you'll receive 5x on up to $250 in combined spending through March 31.
Bonuses on streaming services
Chase Freedom Flex Q1 rotating category bonus — 5% back or 5x points at on streaming
Both the
From January through March, the Chase Freedom bonus categories are streaming services, wholesale clubs, and internet, cable, and phone services. You'll have to activate the bonus by March 14 to get in on the deal, but once you activate, you'll receive the bonus on eligible spending all the way back to the first day of the quarter.
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 April 30, 2021.
With the
Dining and restaurant bonuses
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
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. There's no enrollment required and, even better, no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn.
Drugstore bonuses
If you don't have the
Discover Q1 rotating category bonus — 5% back at CVS and Walgreens
One of the rotating categories this quarter on the
Select Citi cards — 5x at drugstores
Check your email for a targeted offer on some Citi ThankYou cards to earn 5x points at grocery stores, gas stations, drugstores, mass transit, and commuter transportation vendors. Enrollment is required, and you'll receive the bonus on up to $250 in combined spending through March 31.
Chase co-branded Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and United cards — 5x at drugstores
Combined with the grocery and gas bonus mentioned above, select co-branded Chase cardholders can earn 5x points or miles on up to $1,500 in purchases across these categories through March 31.
