Quarterly rewards
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover · Rotating Categories
Use this card for Q4 2026 Active
Activate this quarter first
5x
Utilities
Eligible utility purchases earn 5% cash back during Q4 2026 after activation.
Excludes: Eligible services include residential electricity, natural gas, water, internet, cable, satellite TV, and phone service. Purchases through third parties and in-store service purchases may not qualify.
5x
Restaurants
Eligible restaurant purchases earn 5% cash back during Q4 2026 after activation.
Excludes: Merchant category coding controls eligibility; restaurants located within other businesses and bakeries may not qualify.
5x
Entertainment
Eligible entertainment purchases earn 5% cash back during Q4 2026 after activation.
Excludes: Streaming services, some third-party ticket purchases, and travel or hotel packages may not qualify.
Spending cap: $1,500 combined across all categories this period
Started: October 1, 2026 Ends: December 31, 2026 90 days remaining
Q4 2026: Utilities, Restaurants, and Entertainment. $1,500 combined quarterly cap; activation required.
Past Periods 3
Q3 2026 Jul 2026 → Sep 2026
5x Gas Stations5x EV Charging5x Transportation5x Drugstores
Cap: $1,500
Q2 2026 Apr 2026 → Jun 2026
5x Restaurants5x Home Improvement Stores
Cap: $1,500
Q2 2026 Apr 2026 → Jun 2026
5x Restaurants5x Home Improvement Stores
Cap: $1,500
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the Discover it® Student Cash Back bonus categories for Q4 2026?
- The Discover it® Student Cash Back is earning 5x on Utilities, Restaurants, Entertainment this period through December 31, 2026.
- Do I need to activate Discover it® Student Cash Back rotating categories?
- Yes — you must activate Discover it® Student Cash Back categories before the activation deadline. Log in to your issuer account or app to activate.
- What is the spending cap for Discover it® Student Cash Back rotating categories?
- The Discover it® Student Cash Back caps bonus earning at $1,500 in combined purchases across all rotating categories per quarter. Spending above the cap earns the base rate.
- When do Discover it® Student Cash Back rotating categories change?
- The Discover it® Student Cash Back rotates categories each quarter (every 3 months). We've tracked 4 periods so far.