Discover’s 5% Bonus Categories for Q2 2024: Gas, Home Improvement, Public Transit

Melissa Lambarena
By Melissa Lambarena 
Published
Edited by Kenley Young

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Whether you’re planning on hitting the road for spring or summer break or launching yourself into home improvement projects, Discover’s bonus categories for the second quarter of 2024 can offer some value for your spending.

From April 1 through June 30, 2024, holders of eligible cards like the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back can earn 5% cash back at gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores and on public transit, on up to $1,500 in combined spending for the quarter. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. Activation is required to be eligible for the higher rewards rate.

Here’s what you need to know about which purchases qualify.

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)

  • TBD (In 2023: Gas stations; digital wallets).

Q4 (Oct. 1–Dec. 31)

  • TBD (In 2023: Amazon, Target).

Discover’s Q2 bonus categories unpacked

Discover’s 5% categories come with terms. For the second quarter of 2024, here’s what will qualify:

Gas stations and EV charging stations

To earn the bonus rate, a purchase must be classified as made with a place that sells automotive gasoline or offers an electric vehicle charging station to the public. When you’re on the go, those purchases made at the pump or inside the gas station may also qualify for the elevated rewards rate.

Some purchases may not qualify, such as those made at supermarkets, supercenters, wholesale clubs and parking garages.

Public transit

Eligible public transit purchases that earn 5% back will include passenger buses, railways, ferries, taxis and rideshare services made in the U.S. Long-range passenger land, rail and water transportation services won’t qualify.

Home improvement stores

If you’re planning some home renovation projects or need to stock up on supplies, you can earn more value by doing it within Discover’s promotional window.

Eligible purchases will include those made online and in store at home improvement stores; building supply stores like lumber, paint and hardware stores; and lawn, nursery and garden supply stores. Purchases made through third parties like contractors may not qualify to earn 5% back. And purchases made at stores that offer home furnishings, home appliances, plumbing, heating supply and floor coverings won’t qualify.

Maximizing Discover’s Q2 bonus categories for 2024

To make the most of your bonus categories for the quarter, don’t forget these steps:

  • Log in to your Discover account to activate the bonus categories. 

  • Use your Discover card for any purchases you make in those categories. 

  • Track spending to know when or whether you’ve reached the $1,500 spending limit. (You can view an automated tracker while signed in to your Discover account.)

Considering the Discover it® Cash Back?

Discover it® Cash Back
NerdWallet rating 

The Discover it® Cash Back card can be a worthy contender for your wallet if you’re organized enough to keep track of bonus categories that change every quarter and require activation. It'll also work best if you're not in the habit of maintaining a monthly balance, as the card’s steep interest charges will chip away at the value of 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 17.24%-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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