7% Back on Every Meal: Chase Freedom Flex Q1 2026 Categories Are Here

Discover it® Q1 2026: The Perfect Complement

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While Chase focuses on dining, Discover it® returns to its traditional Q1 category of 5% cash back on grocery stores for January through March 2026. This creates an ideal pairing for cardholders who have both cards.

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The Strategic Two-Card Approach:

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• Use Chase Freedom Flex for all dining purchases (up to $1,500 for 7% back)

• Use Discover it for all grocery store purchases (up to $1,500 for 5% back)

• Many cardholders appreciate that these categories don't overlap, allowing them to maximize rewards across different spending types

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Discover it also maintains its valuable first-year benefit: all cash back earned in the first 12 months is automatically matched at the end of your first year, effectively doubling your rewards to 10% on quarterly categories.

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Activate now.

Citi Custom Cash®: Your Dining Backup Plan

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Once you've maxed out the $1,500 Chase Freedom Flex dining spend, the Citi Custom Cash® Card becomes your next best option. This card automatically earns 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 in purchases, then 1%).

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Many Chase Freedom Flex users plan to switch to Citi Custom Cash for dining once they hit the quarterly cap, extending their elevated dining rewards through the entire quarter.

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Pro Strategy: Some savvy cardholders hold multiple Citi Custom Cash cards (acquired through the Citi Dividend card product change or by opening new Custom Cash cards after the required waiting period). This allows them to maximize 5% cash back across multiple $500 spending buckets.

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Citi Dividend: A Legacy Card Worth Mentioning

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While Citi no longer offers new Dividend card applications, existing cardholders can still take advantage of rotating categories. For Q1 2026, Dividend cardholders will earn 5% cash back on Amazon.com and select streaming services. 

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Citi Dividend Key Details:

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• 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $300 in combined purchases per quarter)

• 1% cash back on all other purchases

• No annual fee

• Can be product changed to Citi Custom Cash for more flexible rewards

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If you're a Citi Dividend cardholder who rarely maxes out the lower $300 quarterly cap, consider product changing to the Citi Custom Cash for its higher $500 monthly limit and automatic top category selection.

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Make sure to activate now.

Building Your 2026 Credit Card Strategy

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To maximize cash back across Q1 2026, consider this approach:

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1. Dining (up to $1,500): Chase Freedom Flex at 7%
2. Groceries (up to $1,500): Discover it at 5%
3. Additional dining after cap: Citi Custom Cash at 5%
4. Gas/EV charging: Consider waiting for Chase Q3 2026 categories or use a flat-rate card
5. Everything else: Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi Double Cash® Card, or another flat-rate card

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This strategy allows you to earn elevated rewards on common spending categories throughout the quarter without significant lifestyle changes.

Bottom Line

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Chase Freedom Flex's Q1 2026 dining category delivers exceptional value at 7% cash back, especially when paired with Discover it's grocery store bonus. While Norwegian Cruise Line and American Heart Association are niche categories, the dining bonus alone justifies activating this quarter. Remember to activate your categories and start planning how you'll maximize that $1,500 spending cap. Whether you're a foodie, cruise enthusiast, or charitable giver, Q1 2026 offers compelling opportunities to earn more on everyday spending.