
The Discover it Chrome for Students credit card is a popular choice among young adults, offering a cashback reward of 2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter at gas stations and restaurants.
It also provides a 1% cashback on all other purchases, making it a great option for everyday spending.
One of the standout features of this card is its lack of a foreign transaction fee, making it an excellent choice for students who travel abroad.
The card also offers a $20 statement credit each year for free FICO credit score access, helping students build their credit history.
Key Features
The Discover it Chrome for students credit card is a solid choice for students who want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases. It features no annual fee and rewards of 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined quarterly purchases at gas stations and restaurants.
One of the standout features of this card is its 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants, which is almost double the average for a cash rewards card. This can add up to $80 in bonus rewards per year, making it a great option for students who commute to school or eat out frequently.
The card also offers a standard base rewards rate of 1% cash back on all other purchases, which is just shy of the 1.16% market average. This is still a pretty solid rate for a student card, and it's a great way to earn rewards on your everyday purchases.
One nice bonus of the Discover it Chrome card is that Discover will match any rewards you earn during the first year you have one of their cards. This means that the 2% bonus earning rate becomes 4% and the 1% base rate becomes 2% for the first 12 months, which is a great way to boost your rewards earnings.
Here are the key features of the Discover it Chrome for students credit card:
- 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined quarterly purchases at gas stations and restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- Introductory offer of 0% APR on new purchases for the first 6 months
- Variable APR of 17.24% - 26.24%
Overall, the Discover it Chrome for students credit card is a great option for students who want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases without breaking the bank.
Rewards and Benefits
The Discover it Chrome for students credit card offers a solid rewards program for students on a tight budget. You'll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% back on all other purchases.
The rewards are easy to manage and can be fairly lucrative if you spend generously in the top-earning spending categories. Dining and gas purchases are often a staple in a student budget, making earning and maximizing rewards easy.
Here's a breakdown of the rewards you can earn:
The rewards you earn will never expire while your account is open and in good standing, and you can redeem for cash back anytime or use them instantly at Amazon.com.
Reports to All Three Credit Bureaus
The Discover it Student Chrome reports to all three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. This is a big deal because these companies are the ones that calculate your credit scores.
Your payment history is a key factor in your credit scores, and the Discover it Student Chrome helps you establish a credit history with responsible use of the card.
This means that if you're approved and you make your payments on time, you can start building a credit history that will help you in the long run.
Easy to Understand Rewards
The Discover it Student Chrome rewards program is designed to be easy to manage and understand, making it perfect for students who want to earn and maximize rewards without the hassle. You'll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% back on all other purchases.
The rewards you earn will never expire while your account is open and in good standing, giving you peace of mind and flexibility. You can redeem your rewards for cash back anytime or use them instantly at Amazon.com.
Here are the redemption options for your Discover it Student Chrome rewards:
- Electronic deposit into any eligible account you designate
- Statement credit to your account
- Physical or digital gift cards to partner merchants
- Pay with cash back at select merchants
- Charitable donations to select charities
The rewards program is also student-centric, with rewards that cater to common student expenses like dining and gas purchases. This makes it easy to earn and maximize rewards without having to think too much about it.
Credit-Building Features
The Discover it Student Chrome's credit-building features are somewhat limited. It offers free access to your FICO Scorecard, which is a great starting point for students new to credit.
While this card can help you build credit, it doesn't have many incentives to make credit-building a priority. The card does offer a path to graduate to a non-student card after school, which is a nice perk.
Other credit-building cards on the market offer more perks, such as reviews for automatic credit line increases after demonstrating responsible credit habits. This feature can decrease your credit utilization ratio and improve your credit score, which is a big deal for people new to credit.
Rates and Fees

The Discover it Chrome for students credit card has a $0 annual fee, which is a great perk for students who want to avoid extra expenses. This card also doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for students who travel abroad.
The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, which can be a big help for students who need to make a large purchase, such as a new laptop or textbooks. After the intro period ends, the ongoing APR is 17.24%-26.24% Variable APR.
You can also get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, with a 10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months. However, the ongoing APR after that is 17.24%-26.24% Variable APR.
One thing to note is that the intro APR offer on purchases is only 6 months, which is shorter than some other cards on the market. This may not be enough time to pay off a large purchase interest-free.
Pros and Cons
The Discover it Chrome for students credit card has its perks, but it's not perfect. The card has no annual fee, which is a huge plus.
One of the standout features of this card is its intro APR period, which allows you to take advantage of a low interest rate for a certain amount of time.
Qualifying for this card is relatively easy, as you can get approved with average credit. This makes it a great option for students who are just starting to build their credit history.
The rewards program is also a highlight, with bonus categories that include gas stations and restaurants. This is especially useful for students who are always on the go.
Here are some of the pros of the Discover it Chrome for students credit card:
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Qualify with average credit
- Bonus categories
However, there are some cons to consider. For one, students studying abroad may have difficulty using this card due to Discover's low international acceptance. This can be a major drawback for students who study abroad or travel frequently.
Additionally, while the rewards program is solid, some other student cards have higher rewards offerings. This means that you may be able to earn more cash back or rewards with a different card.
The card is also light on other perks and benefits, which may be a drawback for some students.
Is It Right for You?
The Discover it Chrome for students credit card is a great option for many young adults, but is it right for you? If you spend a lot on dining and gas, this card can provide a generous amount of rewards.
The rewards program on the Discover it Chrome is easy to manage and understand, with elevated rewards rates covering gas and dining, two of the most popular spending categories for students. You'll earn your highest rewards rate on gas and dining, and an unlimited flat rate on all other purchases.
One of the benefits of this card is that you won't have to track enrollment dates, activate bonus categories, or keep an eye on rotating calendars to get the most out of your rewards. This kind of earning structure is ideal for a student's busy schedule.
However, if you're looking to earn more cash back, there are other cards like the Discover it Student Cash Back card and Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card that offer a higher rate.
Compare Alternatives
If you're considering the Discover it Chrome for students credit card, you might be wondering if there are other options worth exploring. The Discover it Student Chrome has a 4.5 WalletHub rating, which is respectable, but not the highest among its peers.
The Discover it Student Cash Back card has a slightly lower rating of 3.9, but it offers 1-5% cash back on various purchases. In contrast, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has a 5.0 WalletHub rating and offers 3-8% cash back on different categories.
If you're looking for a card with no annual fee, the Discover it Student Chrome, Discover it Student Cash Back, and Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card all fit the bill.
Here's a comparison of some popular alternatives:
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students also offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days, but it has a higher rating of 4.9 and a slightly different rewards structure.
Ultimately, the best credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Be sure to do your research and carefully consider the terms and conditions of any card before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Discover card for students good?
The Discover IT Student card is a great first credit card for students, offering a pre-approval tool and free credit score monitoring. Regular use can establish a credit score in about six months.
What is the credit limit for Discover it student chrome card?
The Discover it Student Chrome card has a guaranteed minimum credit limit of $500. Your actual credit limit may be higher, based on your income and creditworthiness.
Sources
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/discover-it-student-chrome
- https://wallethub.com/d/discover-it-chrome-for-students-credit-card-548c
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/discover-it-chrome-for-students/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/review/discover-it-student-chrome/
- https://wallethub.com/d/discover-it-chrome-credit-card-507c
Featured Images: pexels.com