Discover Announces 2022 5% Cashback Calendar

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Last updated on May 2nd, 2022

Discover has revealed its full 5% Cashback Calendar for 2022. The new 2022 calendar sees a few changes to Discover’s 5% bonus lineup, with the addition of mobile wallets to Q4 2022 being the most noteworthy change.

Discover Launches 2022 5% Cashback Calendar

The new Discover 5% Cashback Calendar is here. The popular bonus calendar provides Discover It Cash Back cardholders with up to 5% cash back on eligible purchases each quarter, with bonus categories changing every three months.

Cardholders earn 5% back on the first $1,500 in quarterly spending on select categories, with those 5% back categories for 2022 being:

2022 Cashback Calendar Vs. 2021 Cashback Calendar

The 2022 Cashback Calendar compares very favorably with the 2021 Calendar. As a refresher, here are the 2021 Cashback Calendar categories:

  • Q1: Grocery Stores, Walgreens, and CVS
  • Q2: Gas Stations, Wholesale Clubs, Streaming Services
  • Q3: Restaurants and PayPal
  • Q4:com, Target.com, and Walmart.com

Q1 sees a switch towards fitness, with the Discover It earning 5% back on groceries, fitness clubs, and gym memberships. Last year, the card earned 5% back on groceries, Walgreens, and CVS purchases. This change reduces the potential value for everyday spenders – but could help cardholders meet their New Year’s resolutions (or at least save them money when they start them, anyways).

Q2 2022 is equally pleasant, with Target joining gas stations as the accelerated 5% category. 2021 saw Gas stations, wholesale clubs, and streaming services, so there is some loss here – but the addition of Target (usually a Q4 category) should provide exceptional value for the Spring months.

Q3 2022 and Q3 2021 remain the same, with PayPal and restaurant purchases earning up to 5% back. These categories are perennial favorites – and provide exceptional value.

Q4 is intriguing, as it breaks away from the norms of past Discover Cashback Calendars. Amazon.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com have become so synonymous with Discover’s cash back program over the holiday season that its tough to see it go. That said, the addition of digital wallets is exceptional, as it provides a versatility that makes the Discover It useful pretty much everywhere. This one small change offers the greatest potential for the card – and makes it one of the more valuable holiday spending cards on the market.  

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Featured image by Discover
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Cory Santos

Cory is BestCards.com's "Jack of all trades" and resident credit expert, covering all facets of the credit card space. Cory holds academic degrees in both the U.S. and U.K. In addition to credit cards, Cory finds that jogging, cats, and memes are essential parts of a balanced day.

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