What the Chase Visa 5% cash back calendar is
The Chase Visa 5% cash back calendar is a rotating rewards structure on certain Chase credit cards that lets you earn 5% cash back on specific categories of spending — but only during the months when those categories are active. The categories change every three months, and you have to set up each quarter's categories yourself or you earn only 1% cash back in those categories instead.
This means your earning rate depends on what month you're spending in and whether you've turned on that quarter's categories. If you forget to set up, you lose the higher rate. The card tells you which categories are live each quarter, but the responsibility to switch them on falls to you.
Key Takeaways
- Chase rotates which spending categories earn 5% cash back every three months, and you must set up each quarter's categories yourself through your online account or the mobile app.
- If you don't set up a category, you earn 1% cash back on that category for the entire quarter instead of 5%.
- The 5% rate applies only up to a spending cap — usually $1,500 per quarter in the active category, after which you earn 1% — so the maximum you can earn per quarter is $75 in that category.
- Categories typically include gas stations, groceries, restaurants, drugstores, or streaming services, but the exact list and order change each quarter.
- You can see the current quarter's categories and set up important date on your Chase account dashboard or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
How to set up categories each quarter
set up happens through your Chase online account or the Chase mobile app. Log in, find the card, and look for a section labeled "set up 5% categories" or "set up cash back." You'll see the current quarter's categories listed with an "set up" button next to each one. Click the button for any category you plan to use that quarter.
You can set up all of them or just the ones relevant to your spending. set up is when ready and takes less than a minute. There is no important date printed on most cards, but Chase typically stops accepting activations a few weeks into the quarter, so set up early in January, April, July, and October to be safe.
If you can't find the set up section online, call the number on the back of your card and ask a representative to set up the categories for you. They can do it over the phone in about two minutes.
The spending cap and how it affects your earnings
The 5% rate applies only to the first $1,500 you spend in an active category per quarter. After you hit $1,500, any additional spending in that category earns 1% cash back for the rest of the quarter. This means the maximum cash back you can earn in a single category per quarter is $75 (5% of $1,500).
The cap resets every quarter. If you spend $2,000 on groceries in January (the first month of Q1), you earn $75 on the first $1,500 and $5 on the remaining $500, for a total of $80 that quarter. In April, the cap resets, and you can earn another $75 on the first $1,500 of grocery spending.
Some cards have higher or lower caps — check your card's terms or account dashboard to confirm the exact limit. The cap applies per category, not across all categories, so you can hit $1,500 in groceries and still earn 5% on the first $1,500 in a different active category like gas.
Which categories rotate and when they change
Chase rotates categories every quarter, with new ones typically starting in January, April, July, and October. The exact categories vary by card and change year to year, but common ones include gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, drugstores, streaming services, movie theaters, and home improvement stores.
You can see the full list of categories for the current and upcoming quarters on your Chase account dashboard. Some cards also send an email or text alert when a new quarter begins and categories change. If you don't see the upcoming quarter's categories listed yet, check back in the last week of the current quarter — Chase usually posts them a few days before the quarter starts.
The rotation is designed so that you earn higher cash back on different types of spending throughout the year, but it requires you to pay attention and set up each quarter. If you prefer a card with fixed categories that don't change, Chase offers other cash back cards with flat rates on specific categories year-round.
Tracking your spending against the quarterly cap
Your Chase account dashboard shows your spending in each active category and how much of the $1,500 cap you've used. Log in to your account, select the card, and look for a section showing cash back earned or category spending. It updates daily or within a day of a transaction posting, so you can check anytime to see how close you are to the cap.
If you're near the $1,500 limit and still have time left in the quarter, you can choose to pause spending in that category or switch to a different card to avoid earning only 1% on additional purchases. Some people plan their spending around the cap — for example, if they know they'll spend more than $1,500 on groceries in a quarter, they might use a different card for grocery purchases above that amount.
What happens if you forget to set up
If you don't set up a category by the time the quarter starts, you earn 1% cash back on that category for the entire three months, not 5%. There is no way to retroactively set up and earn the higher rate on spending you've already done. You can still set up mid-quarter and earn 5% on future spending in that category, but past transactions stay at 1%.
This is why setting a reminder on your phone or calendar for the first week of January, April, July, and October is helpful. Some people set the reminder for the last day of the previous quarter so they can set up before the new quarter begins.
How this card compares to fixed-rate cash back cards
The rotating 5% structure can earn you more cash back than a flat-rate card if you set up every quarter and stay within the spending caps. For example, if you spend $1,500 in each of four rotating categories over a year, you'd earn $300 in cash back. A flat 2% cash back card on all purchases would earn you $240 on the same $12,000 in spending.
However, the rotating structure requires active management. If you forget to set up even one quarter, or if your spending doesn't align with the active categories, a flat-rate card may be simpler and earn you just as much or more. Some people use both — a rotating 5% card for categories they remember to set up, and a flat-rate card for everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up categories after the quarter has started?
Yes, you can set up mid-quarter, but you'll only earn 5% on spending from the set up date forward. Any spending in that category before you activated earns 1%. set up as soon as you realize you forgot, and you'll earn the higher rate on the rest of the quarter's spending.
What if I spend more than $1,500 in a category during a quarter?
You earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 and 1% on any amount above that for the rest of the quarter. The cap resets when the new quarter begins. Plan ahead if you know you'll exceed $1,500 in a category and consider using a different card for the overage.
Do I have to set up all four categories each quarter?
No, you can set up only the categories you plan to use. If you never use streaming services, you don't need to set up that category. Activating only the ones relevant to your spending keeps things straightforward.
How do I know which categories are coming next quarter?
Log into your Chase account and check the cash back or rewards section — Chase posts the next quarter's categories a few days before the quarter starts. You can also call the number on the back of your card and ask a representative.
What if I lose track of the $1,500 cap and overspend?
Your account dashboard updates daily with your spending in each category, so you can check anytime to see where you stand. If you go over, you earn 1% on the overage, not 5%, but there's no penalty or fee — you just earn less cash back on that portion of spending.