Heads up, reward chasers! The activation links are LIVE for the first quarter of 2026's 5% bonus categories on cards like Chase Freedom/Flex, Discover it, and more. This means you can now officially register your cards to earn those sweet bonus rewards between January 1st and March 31st, 2026. Make sure you activate ASAP, as you won't get the bonus without doing so!

So, what's up for grabs? Chase Freedom/Flex is offering 5-7% back on Dining, Norwegian Cruise Line, and the American Heart Association (up to $1500 spend). Discover it is giving 5% back on Grocery Stores, Wholesale Clubs, and select Streaming services (again, up to $1500). Dining is always popular and includes most restaurants, including delivery services, so you can plan ahead. Grocery and wholesale clubs are great because they sell gift cards to other merchants.

Why does this matter? Because maximizing these quarterly bonuses is a cornerstone of earning serious rewards. By strategically spending within these categories (and hitting that $1500 limit on each card), you're essentially getting free money back on purchases you'd likely make anyway. Don't leave money on the table - activate those cards and start planning your spending! Also, be sure to check the fine print to see what qualifies for the bonus categories.