It’s time to activate bonus categories for card that have quarterly bonuses for next quarter. All of these cards offer bonus points or cash back on up to $1500 in purchases during the quarter.
US Bank Cash+
If you’re not already getting 5x Ultimate Rewards points by using a Chase Ink card (and even if you are!) you may want to switch the card you’re using for payment for TV/Internet/Streaming Services and Cell Phones. You must register your card before December 15th to get the bonus cash-back in the categories you select. As a reminder, you choose two 5% categories and one 2% category. Effective November 2023 US Bank changed the way you select your categories. Now you’ll need to log into your account and go to the Rewards Center. I found it a little clunky but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. For more info, see this post from Travel with Grant. I’m choosing Home Utilities again as 5x categories and will select to TV, Internet and Streaming as my second 5x category; since I dropped my Amex Platinum card this will be my best choice for streaming services. I’ll continue with Grocery Stores for 2x although I’ll use my Amex Gold for a better rate..
US Bank Categories for Q1 2024
Discover Card
Discover’s Q1 categories are:
Restaurants is a great category for me. Don’t forget that home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot sell all kinds of gift cards.
To activate the bonus, simply log into your Discover account and click on the Activate Now button or look for the email where you can register in one click.
Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex
Chase is offering some categories we’ve not seen elsewhere, so that’s always a good thing!
While grocery stores is a category typically offered every year, I don’t recall ever seeing NCL or hair/nails/spa services offered before. I’ve seen the fitness clubs/gyms offered on other cards (namely the US Bank Arrival+ shown above) but not for the Chase Freedom family of cards. While I won’t use the NCL option I can make use of all the others, so this is a great quarter for me.
Activate these changes by visiting the Chase registration site by March 14.
In the end
Always register for the bonus categories even if you don’t think you’re going to use them. You’ll never know when they might come in handy!
2B Traveling 
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