
You've got a Discover More card, and you're already enjoying the rewards and benefits. One of the best things about this card is the variety of special offers you can take advantage of.
These offers can be accessed through the Discover website or mobile app, and they're updated regularly. You can earn cash back or other rewards on specific purchases, like dining or gas.
Some offers can even be combined with your card's existing rewards, allowing you to earn even more. For example, if you're already earning 1% cash back on a purchase, you might be able to earn an additional 5% through a special offer.
Take a look at this: Cash Back Card vs Travel Card
Getting Started
First, you'll want to familiarize yourself with your Discover it card benefits, which include no annual fee and cashback rewards.
To start earning cashback, simply make a purchase with your card, and you'll earn 5% cashback on various categories throughout the year, like gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
You'll also earn 1% cashback on all other purchases, and Discover will match all the cashback you earn at the end of your first year.
Discover's online platform and mobile app make it easy to track your spending, make payments, and monitor your account activity.
The app also allows you to set up text or email alerts to stay on top of your account.
Check this out: Saving Account Benefits
Benefits and Features
Discover credit cards offer a range of benefits and features that make them an attractive option for consumers. One of the standout features is the no annual fee policy, which applies to all Discover credit cards.
You can earn cash back on everyday purchases with Discover cards, with some cards offering extra cash back in special categories. For example, the Discover it Cash Back credit card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in quarterly bonus categories.
Discover cards also offer a cash back match at the first anniversary of account opening, which means you'll get double the cash back you earned in your first year. This is a unique feature that sets Discover apart from other credit cards.
Consider reading: Discover Card Cashback Match
Here are some of the benefits and features of Discover credit cards:
Overall, Discover credit cards offer a range of benefits and features that make them a great option for consumers.
Consumer-Friendly Features
Discover credit cards are known for their no-annual-fee policy, making them a great option for those who want to avoid unnecessary expenses.
You can earn cash back rewards on everyday purchases, with some cards offering extra rewards in specific categories.
The Discover it Cash Back credit card, for example, earns 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, up to a maximum of $1,500 in purchases per quarter.
Other purchases, including those in the bonus categories after hitting the quarterly cap, earn 1% cash back.
To maximize your rewards, be sure to activate the 5% cash back category each quarter, as this will ensure you earn the higher rate on your purchases.
You can activate the 5% cash back category through the Discover mobile app, online, or by calling the customer service number on the back of your credit card.
Here's an interesting read: Discover Card Restaurant Rewards
Additionally, you can earn cash back rewards on gas stations and restaurants with the Discover it Gas & Restaurants Card, which earns 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
Here's a breakdown of the 5% cash back categories offered by Discover cards:
You can redeem your cash back rewards in any amount, at any time, and into any bank account you choose.
No Foreign Fees
Traveling abroad without breaking the bank is a relief. Some credit cards offer no foreign transaction fees, saving you money on international purchases.
Discover's international acceptance isn't as widespread as Visa's or Mastercard's, but their card still offers this perk.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey also don't charge foreign transaction fees, making them great options for international travel.
No foreign transaction fees can add up to big savings. For example, if you make a $1,000 purchase abroad, you could save $25 or more with a card that doesn't charge foreign fees.
Here are some credit cards that offer no foreign transaction fees:
- Discover it Cash Back
- Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Rewards and Earnings
Discover's CashBack Match feature is a great way to maximize your earnings, especially during your first year with the card. You can earn up to $75 cash back in the 5% category each quarter.
To earn bonus rewards, use your Discover cash back rewards credit card to make purchases, but note that you won't earn credit card rewards on balance transfers or cash advances. This means you can earn rewards on everyday purchases, like groceries and gas, but not on payments made to pay off your balance.
Discover offers various cards with bonus earning categories, including the Discover it Gas & Restaurants Card, which earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. The Discover it Cash Back for Students card earns 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories.
Here are the Discover cards that offer 5% quarterly bonus categories:
- Discover It Cash Back
- Discover It Cash Back for Students
- NHL Discover It Card
- Discover It Transfer Balance
The CashBack Match feature is a great benefit, as it doubles all your cash-back earnings at the end of your first year. This means that whatever cash back you earn will be automatically doubled, with no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
It Student
If you're a student, you're in luck because Discover offers a range of credit cards designed specifically for you.
Discover's student credit cards offer a CashBack Match at your first card anniversary, which means you'll get double the cash back on all the cash back you've earned in the first year.
You can expect to earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with Discover's student credit cards.
Here are the earnings you can expect for Discover Student credit cards:
With Discover's student credit cards, you'll also get $20 statement credit each year your student GPA is 3.0 or higher (up to 5 years).
Rich Sign-up Opportunity
If you're looking to maximize your rewards earnings, you should take advantage of the potentially rich sign-up bonus offered by Discover. This bonus is a game-changer, doubling all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
The Discover it Cash Back card features an unlimited cashback match for all new cardmembers, which means your cash back earnings will be automatically doubled at the end of your first 12 months. You could turn $150 cash back into $300, making it a lucrative opportunity.
Some cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, offer unlimited 2% back on all purchases, but the Discover it Cash Back card's sign-up bonus is a unique feature that sets it apart.
You can earn up to $500 per year by referring friends to the Discover card, and both you and your friend will receive a $50 statement credit when they use your refer-a-friend link to apply and make a purchase within the first 3 months.
Here's a list of Discover cards that offer the CashBack Match at First Anniversary feature, which includes doubling all your cash-back earnings at the end of your first year:
- Discover It Cash Back
- Discover It Miles
- Discover It Chrome
- Discover It Chrome for Students
- Discover It Cash Back for Students
- Discover it Transfer Balance
- NHL Discover It Card
- Discover It Business
- Discover It Secured Credit Card
How to Earn
To earn rewards with Discover credit cards, you'll want to take advantage of the bonus earning categories. These categories change every quarter and can earn you up to 5% cash back on purchases in certain areas like gas stations, restaurants, and department stores.
You can activate these bonus categories online through the Discover portal, or using the Discover mobile app. It's also a good idea to set a reminder for yourself to activate the categories at the start of each new quarter, which falls on dates like Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, and Oct. 1.
The Discover it Cash Back Credit Card and Student Cash Back Card offer 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. You'll also earn 1% cash back on all your other purchases, automatically.
You can earn up to $75 cash back in the 5% category each quarter, and with the Discover itGas & Restaurants Card, Student Gas & Restaurants Card, or Secured Card, you can earn 2% Cashback Bonus at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
Here are some ways to redeem your Cashback Bonus:
- Turn your Cashback Bonus into bigger rewards with brand-name partners, such as gift cards with at least 5% added value.
- Use your rewards just like cash by depositing it into your bank account or redeeming for a statement credit or to pay your Discover bill.
- Make a difference and donate to a charitable cause (note: this doesn't apply to Miles card members).
- Redeem your Cashback Bonus in any amount, at any time.
Some Discover credit cards, like the Discover it Business Card, earn 1.5% on every purchase, and add extra cash to your bottom line with the CashBack Match at your first card anniversary.
Sources
- https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/rewards-credit-cards/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/how-to-make-the-most-of-discover-it
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/discover-credit-cards/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/benefits-discover-it
- https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/card-smarts/using-cashback-bonus/
Featured Images: pexels.com