How to Activate Your Q3 2025 Bonus Categories

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Important: You must activate these categories to start earning 5% back.

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Here's how:

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1. Online: Log into your Discover account

1. Mobile: Use the Discover mobile app
2. Phone: Call the customer service number on your card

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Remember, you'll only earn bonus rewards starting from your activation date, so activate early to maximize your earnings throughout the quarter.

Breaking Down Each Bonus Category

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Gas Stations: Perfect for Summer Road Trips

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The gas station category has been a Discover favorite for over a decade, and 2025's version includes some updates:

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What's included:

• Purchases at the pump

• Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations

• In-store purchases at gas stations

• Convenience store items at gas stations

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What’s excluded:

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• Gas stations located inside wholesale clubs (like Costco)

• Gas stations within supermarkets

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This category is ideal for summer travelers planning road trips or daily commuters looking to save on fuel costs.

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Public Transit: Save on Your Daily Commute

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Public transit as a bonus category returns after appearing in Q2 2024, making it valuable for urban commuters:

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Eligible purchases:

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• Local bus services

• Commuter rail systems

• Ferry services

• Subway and metro systems

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Not included:

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• Taxi services

• Rideshare apps (Uber, Lyft)

• Private transportation services

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Utilities: A First-Time Bonus Category

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This marks the first time Discover has offered utilities as a rotating bonus category, covering essential monthly bills:

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Covered services:

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• Electric bills

• Water bills

• Internet service

• Cable and satellite TV

• Phone service plans

• Natural gas bills

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Important restrictions:

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• Purchases must be made directly with utility companies

• Payments through retail stores don't qualify

• Third-party management companies may not qualify

• Individual streaming service subscriptions may not qualify

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⚡ Time-Sensitive Opportunity: While you’re planning for Discover’s Q3 bonuses, don't miss Kudos’s Flash Boost sale running through June 30, 2025. You can earn boosted rewards on travel bookings and summer gear now, then maximize Discover’s gas bonuses when you take those trips in July-September!

Maximizing Your Q3 2025 Rewards Strategy

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Calculate Your Potential Earnings

With the $1,500 quarterly spending cap, you can earn up to $75 in bonus cash back each quarter (5% × $1,500 = $75).

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Smart Spending Tips

1. Plan major utility payments during Q3 to maximize the new utilities category
2. Time your summer road trips to take advantage of gas station bonuses
3. Use public transit for daily commuting when possible
4. Stock up on convenience items during gas station visits

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Budget Allocation Strategy

Consider dividing your $1,500 quarterly limit across categories based on your spending patterns:

• Heavy commuters: Focus on gas and transit
• Homeowners: Emphasize utilities and gas
• Urban dwellers: Maximize transit and utilities

Double Dip Opportunity: Stack Rewards with Kudos Flash Boost

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While Discover’s Q3 categories are active July-September, there’s an immediate opportunity to maximize rewards in June 2025. Kudos is running a Flash Boost sale through June 30, 2025, that could complement your overall rewards strategy.

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June 2025 Rewards Stacking Strategy

Although our June Flash Boost categories don’t directly overlap with Discover’s Q3 bonus categories (gas, transit, utilities), you can still benefit with smart stacking opportunities:

1. Pre-summer shopping: Use Kudos in June for travel bookings and summer gear, then switch to Discover in July for gas and utilities
2. Split your strategy: June travel planning through Kudos, July-September execution with Discover gas bonuses
3. Complementary spending: Non-overlapping categories mean you can maximize both programs simultaneously

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How to Double Dip Effectively

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Step 1: Complete June purchases through the Kudos Flash Boost portal

• Book summer travel through Expedia

• Buy summer clothing at Old Navy and Macy’s

• Stock up on beauty essentials at Sephora

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Step 2: Activate Discover Q3 categories by July 1

• Focus on gas stations for summer road trips

• Maximize utility payments during high AC months

• Use public transit bonuses for daily commuting

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Step 3: Strategic timing

• Front-load travel bookings in June with Kudos

• Execute travel plans in July-September with Discover gas bonuses

• Pay for hotels and activities with your highest-earning card

Tips for Success with Rotating Categories

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Set Up Activation Reminders

Create calendar reminders for each quarter to activate new categories promptly. Missing activation means missing out on bonus rewards.

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Track Your Spending

Monitor your quarterly spending to ensure you maximize the $1,500 limit during the quarter. Spread out large purchases when possible. You can do so for free right inside Kudos once you link your cards!

Bottom Line

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Discover’s Q3 2025 bonus categories offer substantial value for both everyday spending and summer activities, with the addition of utilities providing new reward opportunities on essential monthly expenses.

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Immediate Action Items:

1. June 2025: Take advantage of Kudos Flash Boost for summer travel bookings and gear (ends June 30)
2. July 1: Activate Discover Q3 categories for gas, transit, and utilities
3. Summer Strategy: Use your boosted gas rewards for those summer road trips you booked through Kudos

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The key to maximizing 2025 summer rewards is strategic timing. Let us handle your travel planning and summer shopping in June, then let Discover power your actual summer adventures with gas and utility bonuses starting in July.

FAQ

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When do Q3 categories become active?

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July 1, 2025, but only after you activate them through your account.

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Can I activate categories late in the quarter?

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Yes, but you'll only earn bonus rewards from your activation date forward.

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What happens after I reach $1,500 in spending?

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You'll earn 1% cash back on additional purchases in these categories.

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Do online utility payments qualify?

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Generally, yes, when paid directly to the utility company’s website.

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Can I stack Discover rewards with other cashback programs?

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Yes! You can use Kudos before making purchases to earn additional rewards on top of your Discover cash back. Just ensure you're following both programs’ terms of service.

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Should I use Kudos in June or wait for Discover Q3?

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The categories don’t overlap, so you can use both strategically. Use Kudos for travel and fashion purchases in June, then switch to Discover for gas and utilities starting July 1.