Discover Credit Card for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

As an international student, navigating the world of credit cards can be overwhelming. You're not alone in your search for the perfect Discover credit card.

The Discover it Chrome card offers 1% to 2% cashback on everyday purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits. This means you can earn rewards on all your purchases, not just specific categories.

Having a credit card can provide a safety net in case of unexpected expenses or emergencies. With a Discover credit card, you can enjoy the benefits of cashback rewards, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fee for students.

As an international student, you're likely looking for a credit card that's easy to understand and offers rewards that make sense for your lifestyle. The Discover it Student Chrome's rewards program is a great example of this - it's designed to help students earn rewards on everyday purchases, like dining and gas.

The Discover it Student Chrome offers cash back rewards on your purchases, and the best part is that the rewards never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. You can redeem your rewards for cash back, statement credit, or even gift cards to popular merchants like Amazon.

One of the most attractive features of the Discover it Student Chrome is its Cashback Match program, which matches the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. This means that if you earn $200 worth of rewards, Discover will match those earnings, giving you a total of $400 in rewards.

The rewards you can earn with the Discover it Student Chrome include:

Overall, the Discover it Student Chrome is a great option for international students looking for a credit card with easy-to-understand rewards and benefits.

The Discover credit card is a great option for international students. It's light on fees, making it a good pick for fresh credit-builders.

One of the standout features of this card is its cashback rewards program. Students get access to competitive rewards, including student-centric spending categories like gas and dining.

The Discover it Student Chrome also offers a generous welcome offer, one of the most valuable on the market for a student card. This can be a huge perk for students who want to earn rewards quickly.

However, it's worth noting that the card may not be widely accepted internationally. While it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, Discover has a marginally lower international acceptance rate than larger card networks like Visa and Mastercard.

The Discover it Student Chrome is a great option for students looking to build credit, but like any credit card, it has its pros and cons.

One of the biggest pros is that this card is light on fees, making it a good pick for fresh credit-builders who are just getting started.

Students also get access to a competitive rewards program that includes student-centric spending categories like gas and dining.

The Discover it Student Chrome has a generous welcome offer, one of the most valuable on the market for a student card.

However, students studying abroad may have difficulty using this card due to Discover's low international acceptance.

Other student cards have higher rewards offerings, so it's worth considering those if you want more bang for your buck.

The card is light on other perks and benefits, so you may not get as much out of it as you would with other cards.

Here's a summary of the pros and cons:

Having a good credit score is crucial for getting approved for a credit card, and it's not just about being a student. Capital One requires at least fair credit, which is a score between 630-689, to qualify for one of its student cards.

For students with bad or no credit, Discover is a more accessible option as it approves applicants without a credit history. This makes it a great alternative for those who may not meet Capital One's requirements.

Being under 21 typically isn't enough to qualify for a credit card, and issuers may require a full-time income to approve an application.

A fresh viewpoint: Capital One vs Discover Student Credit Card

The Discover it Student Chrome card is a solid candidate for many students who want to establish credit and manage their own finances. It's not the only card available, so it's worth comparing it to other options.

Other student cards, such as the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, could be more worthwhile depending on what you value most. The Capital One vs. Discover student cards have some similarities that are beneficial for the cardholder.

No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, reporting to all three credit bureaus, earning rewards, and earning a sign-up bonus are all features that the Capital One and Discover student cards have in common. However, the rewards rates and value of the sign-up bonus vary across the four cards.

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Both Capital One and Discover offer student cards with some great similarities that benefit the cardholder. One of the similarities is that both cards have no annual fee, which means you won't have to pay extra just for having the card.

Another similarity is that neither card charges a foreign transaction fee, so you can use them abroad without incurring extra costs.

Both cards also report to all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which can help you build credit.

You can earn rewards with both cards, which is a great way to get something back for your spending.

Lastly, both cards offer a sign-up bonus, which can be a nice incentive to get you started.

Capital One and KeyBank both offer a range of credit cards with different rewards programs, but the rewards structures are distinct.

Capital One's credit cards often have more flexible rewards options, allowing cardholders to redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, or travel.

KeyBank's credit cards, on the other hand, have more straightforward rewards programs, focusing on cash back or travel rewards.

Capital One has a more extensive network of credit card offers, with over 50 different cards available.

KeyBank's credit cards generally have lower interest rates and fees compared to Capital One's cards.

Capital One's credit cards often have higher credit limits and more flexible terms for new cardholders.

KeyBank's credit cards tend to be more geared towards everyday spending and cash back rewards.

Here's an interesting read: Discover Card Cash at Checkout

We've got a few different student credit cards to consider, and it's helpful to hear what others have to say about them. The Discover it Student Cash Back Review is a great resource for getting a sense of the card's strengths and weaknesses.

The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card are also worth checking out, as they offer a different set of features and rewards.

One thing that's worth noting is that all of these cards have some similarities, such as no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.

Here are some key features of each card to consider:

Reading these reviews can give you a better idea of which card is the best fit for your needs and financial goals.

The Discover it Student Chrome card is a relatively low-cost option, with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, which is a big plus for students planning to study abroad.

You won't pay an annual fee, which is a significant cost savings. However, if you do miss a payment, you'll still be charged a late payment fee, but Discover will waive your first late payment fee, up to $41.

Missing a payment can negatively impact your credit score, but Discover won't charge a penalty APR if you do miss a payment, giving you some room to make mistakes while building credit.

A fresh viewpoint: Does Discover Student Card Have Foreign Transaction Fees

Annual fees should not exceed $40. Some companies charge exorbitant fees, but Discover waives the annual fee for the Discover it Student Chrome card.

Discover it Student Chrome cardholders won't pay foreign transaction fees, which is a plus for students studying abroad. This can save you money on international transactions.

You'll pay a late payment fee of up to $41 after the first waived fee. Missing a payment can negatively impact your credit score, but Discover won't charge a penalty APR.

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Late payment forgiveness is a rare perk among credit cards, but Discover's student cards offer it on the first late payment. This means that college students can breathe a sigh of relief if they accidentally miss a payment.

Discover's student cards are the only ones that waive the late fee on the first late payment, making it a welcome feature for credit card novices.

Secured credit cards can be a great option for international students who want to build credit in the US. Secured cards share many benefits with student cards, such as earning rewards and low introductory APR rates.

These cards often don't require a credit history for application, making them accessible to students without credit history or individuals with lower credit. Secured cards come with higher interest rates and lower credit limits compared to standard credit cards.

Your credit line on a secured card will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200 with the Discover It Secured Credit Card. If you use the card responsibly, you may be eligible to upgrade to an unsecured credit card and reclaim your original deposit.

To upgrade to an unsecured card, you'll need to make six consecutive on-time payments and six months of good status on all your credit accounts.

Consider reading: Does a Secured Credit Card Build Credit Faster than Unsecured

You don't need excellent credit to get a Discover student card, they're available to students with many benefits.

Before applying, check your credit score, especially if you're considering the Capital One student card, which has a credit score requirement.

If you have less than fair credit, the Discover student card is a good option, but if you meet the eligibility requirements for all four credit cards, you'll need to decide which benefits are most important to you.

To find the right credit card, answer a few questions, and we'll narrow the search for you, helping you pay less interest or earn more rewards.

Related reading: Discover Card Benefits