Discover Card Acceptance Around the World Explained

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Discover cards are widely accepted in the United States, with over 99% of merchants in the country accepting the card.

You can use your Discover card to make purchases online, with over 140 million merchants worldwide accepting online transactions.

In Europe, Discover cards are accepted in many countries, including the UK, Germany, and France, but the acceptance rate is lower than in the US.

General Acceptance

Discover is accepted almost everywhere in the U.S., with a 99% acceptance rate among domestic businesses and e-commerce sites.

The network has a strong presence, but internationally, it falls slightly behind Visa and Mastercard.

You can visit the Discover international credit card acceptance page to see which countries accept Discover cards.

How to Determine Credit Acceptance in a Specific Country

To determine if Discover Card is accepted in a specific country, visit the Discover international credit card acceptance page. You can select a country to review Discover credit card acceptance and ATM availability there.

Discover Card is accepted in 99% of places across the country that take credit cards, making it easy to earn rewards when shopping in stores or online.

If you're traveling internationally, it's a good idea to notify Discover to ensure uninterrupted use of your Discover Card.

International Acceptance

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Discover cards are accepted in 200 countries and territories internationally, which is a relief for travelers. You can check the Discover international credit card acceptance page to see if your card is accepted in a specific country.

To ensure uninterrupted use of your Discover Card while traveling, it's a good idea to notify Discover in advance. This will help prevent any issues with your card being declined or restricted.

If you're traveling to a country where Discover is accepted, you can expect to earn rewards on every purchase you make, with no foreign transaction fee. You can also look for the Discover and Diners Club International acceptance marks when making a purchase.

You can use your Discover card in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Oceania, and other regions, as long as you have the right Discover network on your card. Here's a breakdown of the Discover networks by region:

Remember to check the Discover map for specific countries that aren't mentioned here, and to look for the acceptance marks on merchants' doors or websites.

International Credit Card Acceptance

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A Discover card is accepted in 200 countries and territories internationally, making it a great option for travelers.

You can use a Discover card in popular destinations like India, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Puerto Rico, and the United Arab Emirates.

However, even in countries with widespread acceptance, like the United Arab Emirates, you may still encounter merchants who don't accept Discover.

In some countries, like France and Egypt, Discover classifies its acceptance as low, so it's best to have a backup plan.

What to Expect When Using Your Phone in a Foreign Country

You can expect to earn rewards on every purchase you make when using your phone in a foreign country.

Discover Card has no foreign transaction fee, but it's unclear if this applies to phone usage.

You can look for the Discover and Diners Club International acceptance marks when making a purchase, but it's unlikely you'll see these marks on your phone screen.

Even if you don't see the acceptance marks, you can try using your phone to make a purchase.

How to Verify Abroad Account Usage

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Verifying whether your Discover card is accepted abroad can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. Just because a country says it accepts Discover doesn't mean every merchant accepts your card.

You can check for the logos of Discover's partner networks, such as Diners Club, China UnionPay, and JCB, when making a purchase. These logos can indicate that your card will be accepted.

If you're not sure, you can try presenting your card when paying. It's always a good idea to have a backup plan, like having a second form of payment.

To give you a better idea of where your Discover card is accepted, here's a breakdown of the regions and networks:

This should give you a good idea of where your Discover card is accepted, but always remember to check with your bank or the merchant before making a purchase.

Online Merchant Credit

Discover credit cards are accepted at online merchants. You can shop on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop with your Discover Card, and pay with ease.

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Most online retailers accept Discover, making it easy to earn or redeem rewards. For instance, you can redeem any amount, any time using your Discover Card at Amazon.com.

Discover Cards can be used to redeem rewards with PayPal, with no minimum required. This flexibility makes it convenient to use your rewards.

Redeeming rewards with PayPal is a straightforward process, with no minimum amount required. You can use your rewards to purchase anything you need, from everyday items to big-ticket purchases.

How to Use Your Online Presence

You can use your Discover Card online to shop at retailers like Amazon.com, order food from local restaurants, and pay for subscriptions like streaming services. You can even donate at charity websites and add it to digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Discover monitors every account transaction and alerts you of any suspicious activity to help monitor fraud. You're never held responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card.

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To make the most of your online presence with Discover, consider adding your card to digital wallets or storing it in payment services like PayPal. This makes it easy to make purchases online without having to enter your card details every time.

Some examples of where you can use your Discover Card online include:

  • Amazon.com
  • Local restaurants
  • Streaming services
  • Charity websites
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal

Specific Locations and Cards

Discover cards are accepted by more than 10.64 million U.S. merchants.

Some notable exceptions include Costco, where Discover cards are not accepted due to an exclusive partnership with Visa. Additionally, certain locations of major restaurant chains like Subway or Burger King may also reject Discover cards, depending on the owner of that particular store.

You can check Discover's international-use map to see where your Discover credit card will work, but you'll still find many merchants that only accept Mastercard and Visa.

Take a look at this: Goldbacks Accepted

Car Rental

Renting a car with a Discover Card is a breeze, thanks to its wide acceptance.

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You can use your Discover Card to rent a car at most car rental agencies, as Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.

To maximize your rewards, consider renting a car during the quarter when your Discover Card offers 5% cash back on gas stations, which may include car rental agencies.

Keep in mind that you'll still need to check the specific car rental agency's policies, but with Discover's broad acceptance, you'll likely be covered.

Where Is Unprocessed?

Some Costco locations don't accept Discover cards because they have an exclusive partnership with Visa to lower their merchant fee rate.

Certain locations of major restaurant chains may reject Discover cards, such as Subway or Burger King, depending on the owner of that particular store.

These locations are usually operated by franchisees, and their acceptance policies can vary greatly.

Some retailers charge steep fees for foreign transactions on credit card purchases, but there are other cards available that don't charge these fees.

Where Does Amex Have Less Acceptance?

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Amex cards may be rejected at small businesses and overseas locations. These merchant locations often accept Visa and Mastercard, but may not accept Amex cards.

Shopping at small businesses can be a challenge with an Amex card. Discover allows you to search its map to see where its credit cards are accepted worldwide, but Amex doesn't offer a similar service.

Overseas locations may also pose a problem for Amex cardholders. Just because a destination says it accepts your card doesn’t mean every merchant located there will accept it.

See what others are reading: Amex Discover Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Do they accept Discover at Walmart?

Yes, Walmart accepts Discover cards as a payment method. To use your Discover card at Walmart, create a Walmart.com account and add your card details to your account.

Does McDonald's accept Discover?

Yes, McDonald's accepts Discover cards as a payment option. You can register your Discover card in the McDonald's app for convenient checkout.

Why do so many stores not accept Discover?

Many stores don't accept Discover cards because they charge merchants a higher fee to process transactions. This higher fee can eat into store owners' profits, making it less appealing to accept Discover.

Anne Wiegand

Writer

Anne Wiegand is a seasoned writer with a passion for sharing insightful commentary on the world of finance. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Anne has established herself as a trusted voice in the industry. Her articles on "Gold Chart" and "Mining Stocks" have been well-received by readers and industry professionals alike, offering a unique perspective on market trends and investment opportunities.

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