Discover's 5 percent bonus categories allow you to earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 of combined purchases across all announced, activated categories each quarter (roughly every three months). After reaching the $1,500 spending cap, you'll only earn 1 percent back on those purchases. These bonus categories usually cover various seasonal expenses or retailers. For example, the bonus categories for October to December of 2022 were Amazon.com and digital wallet purchases, just in time for holiday shopping. Discover announces the categories for its 5 percent Cash Back Calendar around a month ahead of the next quarter, and you must remember to activate each quarter's bonus categories to earn elevated cash back rewards.