Discover Credit Card Review: Is It Right for You?

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Discover's Cashback Bonus rewards you with 5% cashback on various categories, like gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, but you must activate the category each quarter to earn the bonus.

The Discover it Cash Back credit card offers a 0% introductory APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, giving you time to pay off debt without accumulating interest.

This card also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.

Benefits

The Discover it Cash Back offers several benefits that make it a great choice for credit card holders. You can earn a high rate of cash back, up to 5% in rotating quarterly categories, with a quarterly maximum of $1,500 in spending.

One of the standout features of this card is the cash back match in the first year for new cardholders. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, with no minimum spending or maximum rewards. This means you could turn $150 cash back into $300.

Credit: youtube.com, Discover It Review - $1,000 Bonus?!

You can also redeem your cash back rewards easily, with options to deposit them directly into your bank account, apply them as a statement credit, or use them on Amazon.com or PayPal. Additionally, the Discover it Cash Back offers a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR.

Benefits of It

The Discover it Cash Back card is a great option for those who want to earn cash back on their purchases. You'll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. This can add up to a significant amount of money, especially if you maximize the 5% category each quarter.

One of the unique benefits of this card is that Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. This means that if you earn $150 in cash back, Discover will match it, giving you a total of $300. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards, making it a great deal for new cardholders.

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You can redeem your cash back rewards in a variety of ways, including depositing it directly into your bank account or applying it as a statement credit. You can also redeem it via PayPal or Amazon.com.

The card also offers a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, making it a solid choice if you need to pay down high-interest debt from another card. However, be aware that there's a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms).

Here are some of the key benefits of the Discover it Cash Back card:

  • Earns cash back at a high rate
  • Matches your cash back in the first year
  • Cash back is simple to redeem
  • Finance a balance transfer or a new purchase
  • $0 annual fee

Keep in mind that the categories for earning 5% cash back rotate quarterly and require activation, and there's a cap on the higher cash back rate.

What Score Do You Need?

If you're wondering what credit score you need to qualify for the Discover it Cash Back, the answer is not a straightforward one. Approvals for any credit card depend on your overall financial situation, including your income and credit score.

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You'll likely need the highest level of credit score to qualify for a card like the Discover it Cash Back. This is because the Discover it Cash Back is a premium card with attractive benefits.

In general, having a lower credit score might make it more difficult to get approved for this card. If that's the case, you might want to consider an alternative card that's more suited to your credit profile.

Rewards and Perks

Discover offers a range of rewards and perks that make it a compelling choice for credit card users. The Discover it Cash Back card, for example, earns 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to a quarterly maximum, and 1% on all other purchases.

One of the standout features of Discover cards is the CashBack Match, which automatically matches all cash back earned in the first year. This can be a game-changer for credit card churners, allowing them to earn 10% cash back on purchases in their first 12 months.

Credit: youtube.com, 5 Reasons Why you Should Start Building Credit With The Discover It Secured Credit Card

You can redeem your rewards for cash at any time, with no minimum thresholds to meet. This means you can get the cash you need when you need it, without having to wait until you've accumulated a certain amount. Discover also offers other redemption options, including Amazon, gift cards, and charity donations.

Here are some of the Discover cards that earn cash back rewards:

  • Discover it Cash Back
  • Discover it Gas & Restaurants
  • Discover it Student Cash Back
  • NHL Discover it

The Discover it Miles card, on the other hand, earns unlimited 1.5x miles on every purchase, with no signing up or minimum spending required. And, just like the cash back cards, it also offers a Mile-for-Mile match at the end of the first year.

Perks

Discover cards offer a range of perks that make them stand out from the competition.

One of the most attractive features is the automatic matching of cashback rewards earned in the first year, which can effectively double your rewards for the first 12 months.

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Discover it Cash Back cardholders earn 5% cash back on rotating spending categories and merchants, up to $1,500 each quarter, and 1% on all other spending.

The Discover it Miles card offers unlimited 1.5x miles on every purchase.

You can redeem your rewards for cash at any time, without any minimum thresholds to meet.

The redemption process is easy, and you can choose to have your cash-back deposited into your bank account or applied as a statement credit.

Here are some ways you can redeem your Discover cash-back rewards:

  • Cash – You can elect to have your cash-back deposited into your bank account or applied as a statement credit.
  • Amazon – When checking out on Amazon.com, you can pay with your Discover rewards.
  • Gift Cards – Use your rewards to purchase gift cards and receive $5 free added. Gift cards start at $20.
  • Charity – Use your rewards to donate to charity.

Gas and Restaurant Rewards

The Discover it Chrome cards offer a great rewards program for those who spend a lot on gas and restaurants. You can earn a total of 4% cash-back on dining in the first year with these cards.

The Discover it Chrome cards have all the features you'd expect from a Discover card, including easy redemption options and security features. They also come with a unique feature where Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.

Credit: youtube.com, Top 5 Credit Cards For Gas in 2024

You can earn 5% cash-back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. This can be a great way to maximize your earnings in the bonus categories on your card.

For example, if you earn 5% cash-back, you'll then receive an effective 10% cash-back the first year. This is because Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.

Refer-a-Friend

Refer-a-Friend offers a $50 statement credit when someone uses your refer-a-friend link to apply for a Discover Card. You'll also get a $50 statement credit once your friend is approved and makes a purchase within the first 3 months after card approval.

You can earn a maximum of $500 per year through the refer-a-friend program. This means you can refer up to 10 friends to earn the full $500.

Features and Options

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Discover credit cards offer a range of features and options to suit different needs and preferences. You can earn cash back or miles with no annual fee, and see if you're pre-approved with no harm to your credit score.

Some Discover credit cards offer generous rewards programs, such as the Discover it Cash Back, which offers 5% cash-back on quarterly rotating categories. Others, like the Discover it Secured Credit Card, offer 2% cash-back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

You can also enjoy 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time, which can help you save hundreds of dollars in interest charges. For example, the 0% APR Discover Credit Card offers 0% APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, with a 3% balance transfer fee.

Here are some key features of Discover credit cards:

  • Earn cash back or miles with no annual fee
  • See if you're pre-approved with no harm to your credit score
  • 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time
  • Cash-back Match at first card anniversary

Example of a

Discover credit cards offer a range of rewards, including cash back and miles, so you can choose the best option for you.

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All Discover credit cards have no annual fee, making them a great choice for those who want to avoid extra costs.

You can see if you're pre-approved for a Discover credit card without hurting your credit score, giving you a risk-free way to explore your options.

Some Discover cards, like the Discover it Cash Back, offer more generous rewards programs and cash-back benefits, while others have lower fees but fewer rewards.

The business models used by credit card brands can also impact the features and rewards offered on their cards, with some companies focusing on transaction volumes and others lending money directly to their customers.

This means that companies like Discover Financial and American Express have an incentive to offer rewards programs that encourage customers to borrow more on their cards.

The Discover it Secured Credit Card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Building credit is also a key feature of this card, making it a great option for those who want to improve their credit score with responsible use.

If this caught your attention, see: Tier 1 Credit Cards for Business

Chrome Gas

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The Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card offers a fantastic intro APR deal. You can enjoy x% Intro APR for x months on purchases and balance transfers.

This card is perfect for those who want to save money on gas and dining. The intro APR is also applicable to balance transfers.

One of the standout features of this card is the intro balance transfer fee of x%. This fee is a one-time payment and can be a significant savings for those who need to transfer a large balance.

With this card, you can save money on gas and dining, and also enjoy a low intro APR for purchases and balance transfers.

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NHL

The NHL Discover it Credit Card is a great option for hockey fans who want to earn rewards on their purchases. It offers a 0% Intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, which can be a huge help in paying off debt or financing a new purchase.

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One of the standout features of this card is its 0% Intro Balance Transfer Fee until 14 months, which can save you money on balance transfer fees. This can be a game-changer for people who want to consolidate debt or transfer a balance from a high-interest credit card.

The NHL Discover it Credit Card also offers a regular APR of 13.99% - 23.99% Variable, which is relatively competitive with other credit cards on the market.

For Students

For students, Discover offers a range of credit cards with cash-back rewards. You can earn 5% cash-back on quarterly rotating categories with the Discover It Cash Back for Students.

The Discover It Chrome for Students offers 2% cash-back at restaurants and gas stations. This can be a great option for students who frequently eat out or fill up their cars with gas.

All Discover student credit cards come with 1% cash-back on all other purchases, making it a good idea to use your card for everyday expenses.

If this caught your attention, see: Discover Gas Card

0% APR Purchases

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If you're looking to make a large purchase or pay off high-interest credit card balances, a 0% APR period can save you hundreds of dollars in interest charges.

Discover credit cards offer 0% APR periods on purchases and balance transfers, allowing you to pay off your balance without incurring interest charges.

For example, the 0% APR Discover Credit Card offers 0% APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, with a 3% balance transfer fee.

You can also find 0% APR periods on specific Discover credit cards, such as the Discover it Cash Back APR on Purchases, which offers 0% intro APR for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.49%.

Some Discover credit cards offer longer 0% APR periods on balance transfers, such as the 0% APR Discover Credit Card, which offers 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers with a 3% balance transfer fee.

Credit: youtube.com, BEST 0% APR Credit Cards 2025 💳 Zero Interest for Large Purchases or Paying Off Debt, etc.

Here are some specific 0% APR periods offered by Discover credit cards:

Keep in mind that these 0% APR periods may have specific terms and conditions, such as balance transfer fees, so be sure to review the details of your credit card agreement before making a large purchase or balance transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the cons of having Discover It card?

Discover It card has some drawbacks, including limited acceptance and rotating categories that require activation, which may impact its earning potential. Additionally, its benefits and rewards have some restrictions.

Is Discover hard to get approved for?

To qualify for this card, you typically need a good to excellent credit score, which is generally considered to be 670-739. Approval may be challenging if your credit score falls below this range.

Is Discover It a good credit card to build credit?

Yes, the Discover it Secured Card can help you build credit if used responsibly. It's a great option for those looking to establish or improve their credit history.

Is it better to have a visa or Discover?

For global acceptance and rewards rates, Visa credit cards are often the better choice, but Discover cards offer a fee-free alternative with fewer perks. Consider your priorities to decide which type of card best suits your needs.

Mike Kiehn

Senior Writer

Mike Kiehn is a seasoned writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. With a keen interest in the financial sector, Mike has established himself as a knowledgeable authority on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), particularly in the UK market. Mike's expertise extends to providing in-depth analysis and insights on REITs, helping readers make informed decisions in the world of real estate investment.

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