Core Insights - Costco has increased gas rewards for its branded credit card holders, raising the cash back rate from 4% to 5% for gas purchases at Costco gas stations [1][4] - The new cash back rates apply only to the first $7,000 in annual purchases, allowing members to earn up to $350 in rewards, an increase from the previous maximum of $280 [2] - The move aims to enhance customer loyalty and profitability by encouraging Costco's over 80 million members to adopt the co-branded credit card [4] Cash Back Structure - The 5% cash back applies exclusively to gas purchases at Costco, while purchases outside of Costco and EV charging will earn 4% cash back [1][7] - After reaching the $7,000 spending cap, the cash back rate drops to 1% for the remainder of the year [2] - Other rewards remain unchanged, with cardholders earning 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on purchases at Costco, and 1% on all other purchases [7] Card Features - The Costco Anywhere Visa Card has no annual fee but requires an active Costco membership, offering benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and travel protections [8] - Rewards are issued annually as a certificate, typically after the February billing cycle, and can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at Costco warehouses [8] Company Strategy - Maintaining a high renewal rate, which has been around 90% over the years, is a top priority for Costco [5]

Core Insights - Venmo has launched a new rewards program called Venmo Stash, which offers cashback incentives to users who transact with their favorite brands and engage with Venmo's products, with cashback rewards reaching up to 5% [1][6] Group 1: Program Details - The Venmo Stash program allows customers to earn 1% cashback when spending their Venmo balance, increasing to 2% with auto reloads, and up to 5% with monthly Direct Deposits [6] - Unlike traditional cashback programs that categorize spending, Venmo's program requires users to select from curated bundles of brands, such as McDonald's and Amazon [7] - The program aims to keep users engaged within the Venmo ecosystem by incentivizing continued use of its services [1][3] Group 2: Market Context - The program targets younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, who show a preference for debit cards over credit cards, with only 39% of Gen Z frequently using credit cards compared to 51% of older generations [2] - Payment providers and retailers are adapting to this trend by offering more debit rewards and alternative payment options like "buy now, pay later" services [3] - Venmo's cashback program competes with similar offerings from rivals like Cash App, which also provides cashback incentives for its debit card users [4] Group 3: Future Expansion - Venmo plans to expand the Stash program in the following year to include rewards for payments made at merchants within its nationwide network [8]

Core Insights - Discover's cash-back program offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, with Q4 2025 focusing on Amazon.com and drug stores, applicable to the first $1,500 in combined purchases when activated [3][4][47] Group 1: Q4 2025 Cash-Back Categories - Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on purchases made at Amazon.com and drug stores from October 1 to December 31, 2025 [3][4] - The Amazon category includes purchases from Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Local Deals, and Amazon Go stores, but excludes Whole Foods Market [4] - Drug store purchases can include standalone stores and online pharmacies, but not pharmacies located within other retailers like Target or Walmart [5][6] Group 2: Activation and Earning Potential - To earn the 5% cash back, cardholders must activate the offer each quarter, with the potential to earn $75 quarterly or $300 annually by spending the maximum [9][10][44] - The cash-back categories rotate quarterly, providing opportunities to align spending with the promotional categories [13][14] Group 3: Discover Credit Card Features - Discover offers three cash-back credit cards with rotating categories, all featuring the same rewards program [17][18] - The Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card has no annual fee and offers a welcome bonus of matching all cash back earned at the end of the first year [20][21] - The card provides 5% cash back on rotating categories and 1% on all other purchases, with cash back not expiring for the life of the account [22][23]