(EXPIRED) Q1 2022 5% Quarterly Bonus Categories: How To Maximize With Gift Card Purchases & Activation Links

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There are several credit cards that offer 5% cashback in rotating categories each quarter. All of them can now be activated for Q1 2022 (January 1 to March 31), so here are their links and how to maximize them for gift card purchases in case you wouldn’t meet their respective spending limits through organic spend.

Cards, Categories, Limits & Activation Links

Chase Freedom / Freedom Flex

• Grocery Stores (excluding Target & Walmart)
• eBay
• 5% cashback on up to $1,500 spend in combined purchases of this quarter’s categories
• Eligible retailers & exclusions
• Activation link

Maxing out the 5% categories on the Freedom and Freedom Flex cards will be simple. Many people will be able to max them out organically on grocery purchases, but if not then buying gift cards at the grocery store is another option.

Discover It

• Grocery Stores
• Fitness Clubs & Gym Memberships
• 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in purchases
• Activation link

As with the Freedom/Freedom Flex cards, getting 5% cashback at grocery stores on the Discover It card will be easy to max out organically or by buying gift cards.

Citi Dividend

• Amazon
• Select Streaming Services
  • Select Streaming Services includes only the cable, satellite, and streaming providers listed below: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Apple Music, CBS All Access, Disney+, AT&T TV NOW, ESPN+, fuboTV, HBO Max, NBA League Pass, Netflix, Pandora, Showtime, Sling TV, Spotify, Starz, SiriusXM, Vudu, YouTube Red, YouTube TV, and Tidal.
• Total annual (calendar year) cash back is limited to $300 and includes additional cash back earned in connection with this offer (i.e. $6,000 total spend).
• Activation link

As noted above, the Citi Dividend card is somewhat unique with its 5% earning ability as you can max out the $6,000 of bonused spend in a single quarter if you want.

Some people will easily spend $6,000 on Amazon within the first three months of the year and that can be done by buying gift cards if you want.

US Bank Cash+

• Choose two of the following:
  • Home Utilities
  • Electronics Stores
  • Sporting Goods Stores
  • Ground Transportation
  • TV, Internet & Streaming
  • Department Stores
  • Select Clothing Stores
  • Gyms/Fitness Centers
  • Furniture Stores
  • Cell Phones
  • Fast Food
  • Movie Theaters
• 5% cashback on your first $2,000 in combined net purchases in your chosen 5% categories
• Activation link

The US Bank Cash+ categories don’t rotate each quarter, although you do get to change/maintain your selection of two categories. It’s a shame that grocery stores, drugstores, etc. aren’t eligible categories, but there are a few gift card options.

The electronics stores category presumably includes Best Buy. That means you can buy gift cards for Best Buy, Amazon and many other third party brands, plus Best Buy sometimes offers discounted gift card deals. Some department stores and clothing stores also have third party gift card racks.