Discover 5% Bonus Categories, Q2 2026: Restaurants, Home Improvement
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Managing Editor From April 1 to June 30, 2026, Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back cardholders can earn bonus cash back at restaurants and home improvement stores, making the second quarter of the year an ideal time for al fresco dining and renovation projects.
Eligible cardholders must activate the bonus categories to earn the 5% rate; all other spending earns 1% back. Activation is not retroactive, so you’ll only be able to earn 5% starting from the day you opt in.
Cash back earned from the two bonus categories is capped at $1,500 in combined purchases. After hitting the cap, the rate drops to 1%.
Qualifying restaurant purchases include full-service restaurants, fast food, caterers and cafes, plus takeout and delivery from those eligible restaurants. The home improvement category is even more expansive and includes purchases made at home improvement stores, building supply stores, home appliance stores, home furnishing stores, and lawn and garden stores. Note, however, that payments to third parties such as contractors may not qualify.
Dining is one of the most reliable bonus categories for Discover, appearing in at least one quarter of the year since 2014. Home improvement is rarer, though it has recently popped up in 2024 and 2025.
| Discover bonus rewards categories for 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan. 1-March 31) |
| |
| Q2 (April 1–June 30) | TBD. (In 2025: Grocery stores; wholesale clubs.) | |
| Q3 (July 1–Sept. 30) | TBD. (In 2025: Gas stations/EV charging; public transit; utilities.) | |
| Q4 (Oct. 1–Dec. 31) | TBD. (In 2025: Amazon.com; drugstores.) | |
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