Discover’s 5% Bonus Categories for Q3 2024: Grocery Stores and Walmart

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Written by Melissa Lambarena
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As you plan those summer barbecues, pool days or dinners, Discover's bonus categories for the third quarter of 2024 can be a big help.

From July 1 through Sept. 30, 2024, holders of eligible cards like the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back can earn 5% back at grocery stores and Walmart on up to $1,500 in combined spending for the quarter. (Activation is required; other purchases will earn 1% back.)

Here’s what you need to know to make the most of these spending categories.

Discover bonus rewards categories for 2024

Q1 (Jan. 1–March 31)

  • Restaurants.

  • Drugstores.

Q2 (April 1–June 30)

  • Gas stations/EV charging stations.

  • Home improvement stores.

  • Public transit.

Q3 (July 1–Sept. 30)

  • Grocery stores.

  • Walmart.

Q4 (Oct. 1–Dec. 31)

  • TBD (In 2023: Amazon, Target).

A closer look at Discover’s Q3 bonus categories

For the third quarter of 2024, here’s what will qualify:

Grocery stores

Eligible grocery store purchases that earn the bonus rate include those made at supermarkets, meat lockers, bakeries, small grocery stores and grocery delivery services. Purchases that won’t qualify for this rate include those made at Target, convenience stores, wholesale clubs and discount stores.

Walmart

During this quarter, you can also earn the bonus rate on purchases made at Walmart, whether in store or online, at Walmart discount stores, Walmart Supercenter stores, Walmart Neighborhood Market stores, curbside pickup, Walmart+ and Walmart gas stations. Purchases using Walmart Pay with your eligible Discover card will also qualify for the bonus rewards.

Purchases made through an individual merchant or a standalone store within physical Walmart locations might not be eligible, however. Other purchases that won’t qualify include Sam’s Club purchases, purchases made through affiliates of Walmart.com, and purchases made outside the U.S. Terms apply.

Maximizing Discover’s Q3 bonus categories for 2024

You can make the most of the bonus categories above by checking off the items on this list:

  • Activate the bonus categories by logging into your Discover account. 

  • Use your Discover card whenever you shop at the grocery store or at Walmart in-store or online. 

  • Keep track of the amount spent to know whether you’ve reached the $1,500 spending limit. An automated tracker available when you log into your Discover account can help.

Considering the Discover it® Cash Back?

Discover it® Cash Back
NerdWallet rating 

The Discover it® Cash Back card is ideal if you can keep track of the quarterly changing bonus categories, remember to activate them and pay off your credit card bill in full every month. Otherwise, the card’s interest rate will outweigh the value of its rewards.

The card’s features include:

  • Annual fee: $0.

  • APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR.

  • Sign-up bonus: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.

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