Q1 2025 - Chase 5% Categories vs. Discover 5% Categories & Other Cards

Discussion / Conversation Forum
1

Q1 2025: January 1, 2025 through March 31, 2025

Chase Freedom Flex Card and Freedom Visa is offering 5% cash back on…

  • Norwegian Cruise Lines
  • Grocery Stores (excludes Target and Walmart)
  • Fitness Clubs & Gym Memberships
  • Hair, Nails & Spa Services

Discover It Cash Back Card is offering 5% cash back on…

  • Restaurants
  • Home Improvement Stores
  • Select Streaming Services

Citi Dividend Card 5% category has not yet been announced.

Don’t forget the Citi Custom Cash Card allows you to choose your 5% category.

Don’t forget the U.S. Bank Cash Plus Card allows you to choose your 5% category.

Don’t forget the Bank of America Customized Cash Card allows you to choose your 3% category.

2

Damn. I’m gonna miss the 5% back on PayPal. Never realized how many sites had the PayPal option.

3

Zack said:
Damn. I’m gonna miss the 5% back on PayPal. Never realized how many sites had the PayPal option.

PayPal is by far my favorite… Maxed it out within the first two weeks.

4

BrandyMitchell said:

Zack said:
Damn. I’m gonna miss the 5% back on PayPal. Never realized how many sites had the PayPal option.

PayPal is by far my favorite… Maxed it out within the first two weeks.

I have the Flex and OG.

Got 2x $500 Target gift cards for $450 + 5% on PayPal. Pretty sweet.

5

@Fable
Same! Specifically have both for the PayPal quarter. If I hadn’t already depleted them both, definitely would have stacked with that Target offer.

6

@Kingsley
Luckily I got that 10x intro offer on groceries for Freedom Flex. Looking forward to that 14x; usually spend $450-500 on groceries a month, but will probably grab some gift cards if I have to (or stock up a bit more on groceries).

7

@CreditCardExpert1
You just buy everything through PayPal that offers it; almost all online sites I use have that option.

8

MissNicklaus said:
@CreditCardExpert1
You just buy everything through PayPal that offers it; almost all online sites I use have that option.

Thanks. I did pay my 6 month car insurance through PayPal, but that’s pretty much it. I haven’t had to buy anything but small stuff. I assumed there was a way to meet the spending without buying unnecessary things.

9

@CreditCardExpert1
If you attend sports events or concerts, most third-party resale sites (and some first-party sale sites) offer PayPal as an option.

More broadly, many online retailers also have PayPal as an option.

Finally, if you like to make charitable donations at the end of the year, most charities accept PayPal.

10

@CreditCardExpert1
Almost all my online Christmas gifts went through PayPal as well. Sounds like you just don’t spend much.

11

Zack said:
Damn. I’m gonna miss the 5% back on PayPal. Never realized how many sites had the PayPal option.

Yeah, here too. That gave my USBAR and Apple Pay a run for its money these last few months.

12

Zack said:
Damn. I’m gonna miss the 5% back on PayPal. Never realized how many sites had the PayPal option.

Same. This is the first time I maxed out the category for both my flex and OG freedom cards.

Worst case scenario next quarter, buy a ton of gift cards at my local Safeway.

13

Zack said:
Damn. I’m gonna miss the 5% back on PayPal. Never realized how many sites had the PayPal option.

Definitely look into the PayPal Mastercard; it’s my most utilized card this year! Unfortunately, the base cashback went down from 2% to 1.5%, but having default 3% cashback on all PayPal spend plus store bonus rewards (similar to Rakuten) is great.

14

Honorable mention to the PayPal debit card? 5% in chosen category (once a month).

15

Madden said:
Honorable mention to the PayPal debit card? 5% in chosen category (once a month).

And Walmart and Costco count as grocery!

16

Arley said:

Madden said:
Honorable mention to the PayPal debit card? 5% in chosen category (once a month).

And Walmart and Costco count as grocery!

PayPal debit counts Costco as grocery? Target codes as discount store - Walmart codes as grocery store, so that makes sense. Doesn’t Costco code as a warehouse club or something?

17

@Dawson
I can confirm at least my location, Costco codes as grocery for the PayPal debit. Bought a delicious TV.

18

Bright said:
@Dawson
I can confirm at least my location, Costco codes as grocery for the PayPal debit. Bought a delicious TV.

Lol that’s funny.

19

Madden said:
Honorable mention to the PayPal debit card? 5% in chosen category (once a month).

And Langley.

20

Grayer said:

Madden said:
Honorable mention to the PayPal debit card? 5% in chosen category (once a month).

And Langley.

What card is the Langley one?