1st Quarter 2013 5% Rotating Cash Rewards Credit Cards
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on December 27, 2012If you're looking for a new credit card, be sure to check out our credit card directory!

1st quarter cash back is here! It’s time to get ready for 2013 by reassigning the cards you are carrying to take advantage of 1st quarter 2013 cash rewards credit cards bonuses. Every quarter we reevaluate the cash back cards to make sure we get the highest cash back on each purchase including the credit cards that offer cash back on a rotating quarterly schedule.
As you switch out your cards, don’t forget to follow up on all your rewards and make sure you are earning the right cash back and maximizing all of your purchases.
You know how it works: swap out the 2012 4th Quarter 5% Rewards and maximize your cash rewards for 1st quarter 2013 to make sure you have the right cards, you are signed up for the 5% promotions, and you know where to use them.
Chase Freedom. The Chase Freedom card will be the card of choice for gas this quarter. The 1st quarter 2013 Chase Freedom 5% categories are:
See the entire 2013 Chase Freedom Rewards Calendar and the Best Way to Maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards Points.
Citi Dividend. Citi is bringing back one of my favorite 1st quarter rewards: fitness clubs. If your gym lets you prepay for the whole year, you might as well do so to earn the 5% cash back! The 1st quarter 2013 Citi Dividend 5% categories are:
Discover More. The Discover 5% cash back is going to be the card of choice for restaurants during 1st quarter 2013! The 1st quarter 2013 Discover More 5% categories are:
See the entire 2013 Discover More Rewards Calendar.
And as always, here are the easier cash back categories, since you don’t need to sign up… in a new simplified format:
Category | Card | Cash Back |
---|---|---|
Grocery Stores | American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card | 6% cash back |
Gas Stations | Pen Fed Platinum VISA | 5% cash back at the pump |
Restaurants | Citi Forward | 5 ThankYou Points for every $1 |
Target | Target credit card | 5% discount |
Amazon | Citi Forward Card or Amazon Visa |
5% cash back 3 points per dollar |
Wireless and Office Supplies | Ink Bold | 5% cash back |
Costco | Fidelity Credit Card | 2% cash back |
Travel | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Various |
Bill Pay | US Bank Cash Plus | Testing 5% cash back |
Everything Else | Gift cards purchased on American Express or Gift cards purchased on Ink Bold or Fidelity Credit Card |
6% 5% 2% |
As a reminder, here’s my checklist for rotating cash back programs:
If you don’t have the 5% cash rewards cards I’m using, here are the ones currently offering sign up bonus offers: