Monthly Archives: March 2025

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 Discover card for a better rate.. 

Discover Card

Discover’s Q2 categories are Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs. Even if you don’t spend a lot on groceries, remember that grocery stores tend to have a lot of types of gift cards for things like clothing stores, online games/apps, restaurants and I’ve even seen Delta and Southwest Airlines gift cards. Plus some grocery stores will have 2x or 4x bonuses on gift cards for their fuel points.

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 bonus points on Amazon and on streaming services.

For now, my Barclay’s Hawaiian Airlines card is offering a $3 credit on streaming services. I think, but am not positive, that this credit ends this month. But I’ll hold off making any changes until I’m sure. If the credit has ended then I will switch over to this card. I’ll also switch my Amazon Music subscription as it should qualify either way.

Activate these changes by visiting the Chase registration site by June 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!