@kdm31091 wrote:
All we can do is wait and see. Speculation means nothing as it can change from year to year, but in the past it was literally just general online shopping. Including amazon.
Of course, "past performance does not guarantee future results." So it's possible that Discover's 2015 Q4 will not include online shopping as it has the past three years. But if it does work the way it has the past three years, then all purchases of merchandise from online merchants would be eligible for the 5% (and of course, that would include Amazon.com). But notably that definition excludes services (e.g. utilities, online subscriptions, charitable contributions, etc.). But purchases of actual goods should count. Also, purchases through the Discover portal will get whatever the portal bonus is, plus the quarterly 5%.
But it's important to check your statements. Many online purchases will get the 5% automatically, but many may not, depending on how they are coded. Ironically, I've had purchases made through Discover Deals, which earned a statement credit that was only valid on online purchases, qualify for the online statement credit, but not automatically qualify for the 5% on online purchases! YMMV, but I've had 100% success in calling or chatting Discover customer service and getting them to award the 5% retroactively on bonafide online merchandise purchases. It helps if the merchant name has ".COM" in it, and if the category shown on the statement is "Merchandise" or something like that.
But yes, until they officially announce Q4 signup, it's a big IF.
Chris.
