2021 Discover Cashback Calendar
This article was last updated Nov 02, 2020. Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
Discover revealed the entire list of 5% cashback categories for 2021, so you can plan your spending for the year. That’s great news for Discover it® Cash Back and other eligible Discover cardholders will earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Here, we’ll review the 2021 cashback calendar, what you need to know to earn 5% cashback and how the Discover cashback calendar compares with the Chase Freedom® cashback calendar.
Discover’s 5% Cashback Calendar 2021 | |||
Jan-Mar | Apr-June | July-Sept | Oct-Dec |
Grocery stores**, Walgreens and CVS | Gas stations, wholesale clubs and select streaming services* | Restaurants and PayPal | Amazon.com, Target.com and Walmart.com |
Here’s what you need to know:
- You need to activate the bonus categories to earn 5% cash back. Log into the Account Center or call 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683) to activate.
- Each quarter, 5% cash back is limited to $1,500 in spending. After you hit that ceiling, you’ll earn 1% cash back.
- All purchases outside the bonus categories automatically earn 1% cash back.
- Eligible cards include:
How the 2021 calendar compares with 2020
The 2021 cashback calendar is very similar to 2020’s calendar, but streaming services has replaced last year’s ride-sharing categories of Lyft and Uber. Plus, the grocery store category now includes Walmart grocery pickup and delivery purchases, but not other Walmart purchases. It’s also worth noting that during the fourth quarter of 2020, Discover added Best Buy to the bonus category from Nov. 25–Dec. 31, 2020.
Discover cashback calendar vs. Chase cashback calendar
Discover releases its entire cashback calendar a year in advance, while Chase unveils its categories on a quarter-by-quarter basis.
Here’s how the Discover and Chase cashback calendars compare for 2021:
Discover it® Cash Back | Chase Freedom Flex℠ | |
Jan-Mar | Grocery stores*, Walgreens and CVS | Wholesale clubs, select streaming services**, internet, cable and phone services |
Apr-June | Gas stations, select streaming services* and wholesale clubs | To be announced |
July-Sept | Restaurants and PayPal |
To be announced |
Oct- Dec | Amazon.com, Target.com and Walmart.com | To be announced |
*Grocery store purchases now also includes Walmart grocery pickup and delivery purchases only; other purchases at Walmart are not eligible. Purchases made at convenience stores, gas stations, warehouse clubs, discount stores, supercenters (or at grocery stores associated with supercenters or discount stores) are not eligible. Target purchases are not eligible.
**Eligible streaming services include Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Netflix, Sling, Vudu, Fubo TV, Apple Music, SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube TV.
Which cashback program is better?
It’s hard to choose the best cashback program, since everyone has different spending habits. Depending on where you shop most should help you determine which card is a better fit.
If you’re in the market for a new cashback card, you should also take a close look at the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card, which will provide cardholders a flexible rewards program, which began early in 2019. Existing and new Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card holders will be able to earn 3% cash back in one of six categories: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement and furnishings; 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs; and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. Cardholders can choose which category they want to earn 3% in every month.
The information related to the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been independently collected by CompareCards and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.