Discover Reveals Full 2022 5% Cashback Bonus Calendar

Today, Discover announced its 5% Cashback Bonus Calendar for 2022, through which cardmembers can earn 5% cash back in quarterly categories, in addition to 1% back on all other purchases with the Discover it card.

The new quarterly categories as follows:

• Q1, January – March: Grocery Stores and Fitness Clubs & Gym Memberships 
• Q2, April – June: Gas Stations and Target (Activate Now)
• Q3, July – September: Restaurants & PayPal
• Q4, October – December: Amazon.com and Digital Wallets

New for the upcoming year, is the addition of Fitness Clubs & Gym Memberships in Q1 and Digital Wallets in Q4 – allowing consumers to kick-start their health resolutions, and find the perfect holiday gift at any retailer accepting Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

Each quarter, Discover it® and Discover More® cardmembers can activate to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases (maximum $75 cash back) at a variety of places without any annual fee. In addition to earning 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, Discover it cardmembers earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, automatically. 

You can check out the categories, and activate them here, once they become available. What’s more, Discover automatically matches all the rewards new cardmembers have earned at the end of their first year, as part of its Cashback Match offering. Currently there’s also a $100 signup bonus.

Q1 2022 Details

Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Grocery Stores (stand-alone) and Fitness Club & Gym Memberships from 1/1/22 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 3/31/22, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Grocery Store purchases include those made at supermarkets, meat lockers, bakeries, smaller grocery stores, and grocery delivery services. All purchases made at Walmart, Target, convenience stores, wholesale clubs, discount stores, and supercenters are not eligible. Fitness Club & Gym Memberships include membership fees and purchases at health clubs. Athletic or recreation facilities may be eligible. Virtual and in-person fitness classes may be eligible. Individual merchants and stand-alone stores within fitness clubs, gyms, athletic or recreation facilities may not be eligible in this category.

Q2 2022 Details

Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Gas Stations (stand-alone) and Target from 4/1/22 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 6/30/22, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Gas Station are places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Target purchases include those made at Target.com, through the Target app, or in-store at Target. Purchases from individual merchants and stand-alone stores within physical Target locations may not be eligible for this promotion. Purchases made online or through the Target app from Target affiliates, individual merchants or stand-alone stores may not be eligible for this promotion, including, but not limited to, targetoptical.com and targetphoto.com. 

Q3 2022 Details

Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Restaurants and PayPal from 7/1/22 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 9/30/22, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. PayPal eligible purchases are made through the PayPal wallet online, money transfers via PayPal using your card, and point-of-sale transactions using PayPal Here. Payments made through Xoom transfer services are not eligible for 5%. Using PayPal on restaurant purchases will only earn a total of 5%.

Q4 2022 Details

Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Amazon.com and Digital Wallets from 10/1/22 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 12/31/22, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Amazon.com purchases include those made through the Amazon.com checkout, like digital downloads, Amazon.com gift cards, Amazon Fresh orders, Amazon Local Deals, Amazon Prime subscriptions and items sold by third party merchants through Amazon.com’s marketplace. Also includes in-store at Amazon Go, Amazon Bookstore, and Amazon 4-Star. The Amazon.com logo and the smile logo are trademarks of Amazon or its Affiliates. Digital Wallet purchases include those made online and in-store with your smartphone, tablet, or wearable. Wallets that qualify include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay. Using digital wallets to make purchases on Amazon.com will only earn a total of 5%.

Guru’s Wrap-Up

I have the Discover it card myself. The quarterly categories are usually great and easy to maximize. I like the fact that Discover now releases the full calendar. So cardmembers can better plan their purchases throughout the year. If maximized each quarter, you can earn $75 in cashback, or a total of $300 for the year. Double that for new cardmembers.

As a reminder, until the end of 2021, you can earn 5% cashback at Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Target.com.