7 categories where cashback rates spike every quarter
Rates aren't static
Retailers adjust commission budgets around demand cycles — which means the cashback rate you see today can be meaningfully higher or lower a few weeks from now. Understanding the rhythm behind those swings helps you time bigger purchases.
Travel: book early, watch for shoulder-season spikes
Airlines and hotel groups tend to raise commissions during shoulder seasons when they're trying to fill inventory that wouldn't otherwise sell. Setting a rate alert before you plan a trip is usually worth the wait.
Electronics: the weeks after a new product launch
When a flagship phone or laptop launches, older models often see a temporary cashback bump as retailers clear shelf space. If you don't need the newest version, that window is the moment to buy.
Fashion: end-of-season clearance
Apparel cashback tends to climb sharply during clearance periods in January and July, stacking on top of already-discounted clearance pricing for a bigger combined saving.
The takeaway
None of this requires guesswork on your end — turn on rate alerts for the categories you care about and let Scratch It tell you when a spike happens.