Discover unveils cash back categories for 2021

The news Discover it Cash Back cardholders wait for toward the end of each year has arrived.

Discover just announced 2021 quarterly 5% bonus categories for its popular rotating cash back credit card. This card is among our top choices in the cash back credit card category.

Discover has introduced a new category, streaming TV and music, as a part of the rotating bonuses next year. Pay your streaming bill(s) with your Discover card during the second quarter of 2021, and you’ll get 5% cash back.

Meera Sridharan, who is the company’s vice president of rewards and product strategy, explained that decision in a news release: “The pandemic is changing consumer spending habits, and more people are spending time at home, which is why we’ve added more than 20 TV and music streaming services to the Second Quarter.”

A few quick reminders for those who may not be familiar with the Discover Cashback Bonus program:

Each 5% bonus category has a three-month period of activity.

The bonuses max out at $1,500 in spending per quarter, which means the maximum reward is $75 cash back each quarter.

Discover pays 1% cash back on all non-bonus spending (including spending once your bonus reward is capped).

Here’s the 2021 cash back bonus gameplan:

Quarter 1, Jan. 1-March 31:

Grocery stores, Walgreens and CVS

Quarter 2, April 1-June 30:

Gas stations, wholesale clubs and select streaming services

Quarter 3, July 1-Sept. 30:

Restaurants and Paypal

Quarter 4, Oct. 1-Dec. 31:

Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Target.com

See clark.com for more details.