Here’s the Top 5 Credit Card Rewards for Q2 2021

While plenty of retailers have their own credit cards to earn a percentage back on a purchase or 0% interest for 6 to 12 months (along with astronomical interest rates if you don’t pay it off each month), many third party cards offer expanded options for rewards at your everyday retailers and other companies.

Here’s a collection of the top 5 cards you should be looking at as we move into the second quarter of 2021.

1. Chase Freedom

Between April 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021, the Chase Freedom card offers 5% back (up to $75 back on $1,500 in purchases) at gas stations and home improvement stores.

Beyond typical, standalone gas stations, this category also includes gas stations at warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club. It does not include truck stops, boat marinas or places that distribute propane / oil.

Home improvement stores include the big chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s as well as smaller stores like Ace Hardware and True Value. It also includes paint stores, lumbar yards, and some furniture stores. It does not include home improvement supplies found in stores like Walmart.

2. Discover it Cashback

Between April 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021, the Discover it Cashback card offers 5% back (up to $75 back on $1,500 in purchases) at gas stations, wholesale clubs and select streaming services.

Unlike the Chase Freedom card, gas stations at supermarkets and supercenters may not qualify for the cashback. Regarding wholesale clubs, Discover will have to be accepted as a form of payment to qualify.

There are 23 streaming services that qualify for the 5% cashback discount. Those include: Apple Music, Apple TV+, AT&T TV Now, BET+, CBS All Access, DAZN, Disney +, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Google Play Movies & TV, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Philo, Peacock TV, Showtime, Sirius XM, Starz, Sling, Spotify, Vudu, YouTube TV.

3. Citi Dividend Card

Between April 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021, the Citi Dividend Card offers 5% back (up to $300 back on $6,000 in purchases) at supermarkets and drugstores. 

The supermarkets category is restricted to standalone supermarkets like Publix or Kroger. Supermarkets within stores like Target and Walmart do not count. The same goes for warehouse clubs, bakeries, or meal delivery services. Drugstores basically covers all the major chains like Walgreens and CVS.

Be aware that the $300 on $6,000 in purchases is specific to the calendar year. If you already earned $200 in rewards using the card during the first 9 months of the year, you would only be able to earn $100 back in the last 3 months.

Sadly, Citi has closed out the card for new signups, but existing users can still take advantage.

4. AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card (Annual Fee Required)

Between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $360 back on $6,000 in purchases) as well as 6% on streaming subscriptions & 3% on transit.

This card can be particularly useful for anyone with large families that spends quite a bit at the supermarket each month. It’s also good for the entire year (not specific to Q4), thus you can continue to save at the grocery store for 12 months.

The only downside is the $95 annual fee (waived for 1st year), but that’s easily mitigated with the $300 back on $3000 of purchases for new customers (first 6 months). If you don’t want the annual fee, you can step down to the Blue Cash Everyday card (which offers 3% back at grocery stores, same cap on total purchases).

5. US Bank Cash Plus

The US Bank Cash Plus card is unique due to the fact that you can select the cashback categories that you want each quarter. After you sign up, you can select two different 5% cashback categories as well as one 2% cashback category.

For instance, if you know you want to buy a new couch soon, you can select the furniture store category to get 5% back on your purchase. Other 5% categories this quarter include electronics stores, utilities, gyms, department stores and fast food. The 2% categories include grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants.

Bonus: The Best Retailer Cards

As mentioned earlier, the best store cards are offered by Amazon and Target. Both retailers offer cards that offer 5% cashback without any cap on total purchases for the year. Popular cards include:

• Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: 5% back on Whole Foods purchases, 2% back at restaurants / gas / drugstores, 1% back on everything else.
• Target RedCard: Free shipping on all Target.com purchases and additional 30 days for returning items. (Usually $40 off $40 coupon for signup)
• Lowe’s Advantage Card: Offers 5% cashback on all purchases. 6 months special financing on $299 or more purchases
• Costco Anywhere Visa Card: Offers 2% back on all Costco purchases, 4% back on gas, 3% back at restaurants

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