Discover 5% Bonus Categories for Q3
Discover has revealed the 5% Cashback Bonus categories for the third quarter of 2025. Beginning July 1st, and Discover More (no longer available) cardmembers can earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Gas Stations & EV Charging, Public Transit, and Utilities. The offer runs from July 1 through September 30, 2025, for up to $1,500 in purchases. That’s up to $75 cash back for the quarter.
In addition to 5% Cashback Bonus on these categories, Discover it and Discover More cardmembers will earn 1% cash back on all other purchases as well. And first year cardmembers get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back they earn at the end of their first year, automatically. All with no annual fee. Check out more details below.
3rd Quarter of 2025: 5% Categories
Earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Amazon.com and Target from 7/1/25 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 9/30/25, on up to $1,500 in purchases.
- Gas Stations & EV Charging purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station and public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas Stations & EV Charging affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Certain parking garages where public electric vehicle charging is offered or included may not be eligible.
- Public Transit purchases include local commuter passenger bus, rail, and ferry services. Taxi, rideshare services—including shared bikes and scooters—long-range passenger landrail, and water transportation services are not included.
- Utilities purchases include purchases for residential electricity, natural gas, and water service. Utilities purchases also include purchases made over the phone or online for internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile and landline phone service. Purchases at retail stores for internet, cable, satellite, and mobile and landline phone service do not qualify. Purchases made through third parties, such as through a landlord, property management company, or homeowners association, may not qualify. Purchases for standalone streaming services, some satellite phone and internet service, vehicle connectivity, accessories, or equipment may not qualify.
Important Terms
- To qualify for 5%, the purchase transaction date must be before or on the last day of the offer or promotion.
- For online purchases, the transaction date from the merchant may be the date when the item ships.
- Rewards are added to your account within two billing periods.
- Even if a purchase appears to fit in a 5% category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in that category.
- Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services.
Activate 5% Categories
In order to earn 5% cash back, you have to activate the bonus before making your purchases. The 3rd quarter bonus categories can be activated by visiting this page and logging into your account. You can also activate with one click through emails sent out by Discover.
Apply for Discover it Card
If you don’t have the Discover it card currently, you can currently apply and get a $100 bonus. You also earn double cashback during your first cardmember year. That means you earn 2% cashback on all purchases and 10% cashback on bonus category purchases.
You can have up to two Discover cards, but you need to wait at least a year to apply for the second one.
If you want to have your Discover it referrals shared on the site, you can add it in this thread in our Facebook Group.
Guru’s Wrap-up
Discover card’s 3rd quarter bonus categories for 2025 are decent ones as everyone has some spend on gas, transit and utilities. If you’re looking to maximize this offer, then you can possibly prepay your utilities, or looks for gift cards at gas stations.
This is also a good time to make sure you have maximized spending for the current quarter. Discover is giving 5% back at Grocery Stores & Wholesale Clubs.
