Discover is an online bank that offers a variety of credit cards with no annual or foreign transaction fees to qualifying consumers. The best Discover credit cards offer cash back on your spending and an unlimited cash-back match at the end of your first year.
Unlike some other credit card companies, Discover offers some cards designed specifically for students or individuals with bad or no credit. Hockey fans may also appreciate the chance to design their cash back card with their favorite NHL team’s logo.
We took a deep dive into all the credit cards Discover offers to help you determine which card, if any, is right for you. Read on for a closer look at rewards, annual percentage rates (APR), and more.
Inside this article
- Best Discover credit cards of 2023
- Best for earning cash back: Discover it Cash Back Credit Card
- Best for students to earn cash back in alternating categories: Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card
- Best for students to earn cash back at a flat rate: Discover it Student Chrome Credit Card
- Best for bad credit: Discover it Secured Credit Card
- Best for travel rewards: Discover it Travel Credit Card
- Best for points back at gas stations and restaurants: Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card
- Compare the best Discover credit cards
- Should you get a Discover credit card?
- Guide to Discover credit cards
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Discover credit cards of 2023
Best for earning cash back: Discover it Cash Back Credit Card
Best for students to earn cash back in rotating categories: Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card
Best for students to earn cash back at a flat rate: Discover it Student Chrome Credit Card
Best for bad credit: Discover it Secured Credit Card
Best for travel rewards: Discover it Travel Credit Card
Best for points back at gas stations and restaurants: Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card
Best for earning cash back: Discover it Cash Back Credit Card
Why it’s the best
This no-annual-fee card offers a low intro 0% APR on both new purchases and balance transfers, plus it features a unique first-year welcome bonus: New applicants get a 100% cash-back match of all the rewards they’ve earned in their first year of card membership. The card is useful after the intro offer expires too, since it earns rewards on spending.
Pros and cons
Pros:
Low intro APR offer on both new purchases and balance transfers
Generous rewards in quarterly rotating categories
Automatic cash-back match at the end of your first cardmember year
Cons:
No travel insurance or purchase protection benefits
Highest rewards are capped at $1,500 per quarter
There’s a balance transfer fee
You’ll have to activate the bonus rewards categories every quarter
The 5% cash back rate is limited to $1,500 in spending each quarter
Other purchases earn a fairly low rate of 1% back
More details
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% back in quarterly rotating categories upon activation up to $1,500 in spending each quarter; 1% back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will match your rewards points at the end of your first year.
APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 months, then 16.24% - 27.24% variable.
Perks and benefits: Online privacy protection, free Social Security number alerts, option to freeze your account if you misplace your card with Discover’s Freeze It, $0 fraud liability guarantee.
Best for students to earn cash back in alternating categories: Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card
Why it’s the best
Students looking to build their credit history while earning rewards on their spending should consider the Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card . As a card designed specifically for students, the card doesn’t require a credit score to apply. It offers 5% back in categories that rotate quarterly and 1% cash back on other purchases.
Pros and cons
Pros:
No credit score required to apply
5% cash back in rotating categories
Discover matches your rewards at the end of your first year
Cons:
5% cash back limited to a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spending
Must activate bonus categories each quarter to earn the 5% back
Other purchases only earn 1% back
More details
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% cash back on rotating spending categories each quarter, up to a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spending; 1% back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
APR: 0% introductory APR for six months, then 17.24% - 26.24% variable after that.
Perks and benefits: Reports to all three credit bureaus.
Best for students to earn cash back at a flat rate: Discover it Student Chrome Credit Card
Why it’s the best
The Discover it Student Chrome Credit Card earns 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, with a quarterly spending cap of $1,000 and 1% cash back on other purchases. For those seeking a no-fuss card that doesn’t require any bonus category activation, the Student Chrome card delivers.
Pros and cons
Pros:
No annual fee or credit score required to apply
2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, no activation required
Discover will match your earnings at the end of your first year, automatically
Cons:
Quarterly spending cap of $1,000 for 2% cash-back rate
Other purchases only earn 1% back
More details
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, up to a combined quarterly spend of $1,000; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will match your rewards points at the end of your first year.
APR: 0% APR for six months, then 17.24% - 26.24% variable after that.
Perks and benefits: Available to students with thin credit profiles, reports to all three credit bureaus.
Best for bad credit: Discover it Secured Credit Card
Why it’s the best
The Discover it Secured Credit Card doesn’t require a credit score to apply, so it’s a solid option for consumers looking to rebuild their credit—or establish it in the first place. With a secured credit card, you make a deposit upfront and build your credit as you make on-time payments on your balance. Discover’s secured card has no annual fee and offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to a spending cap and 1% back on other purchases.
Pros and cons
Pros:
No credit score required to apply
Automatically earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants
No annual fee
Cons:
Quarterly spending cap of $1,000 to get 2% cash-back rate
Only earns 1% back on other purchases
No 0% introductory APR
More details
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to a $1,000 quarterly spending cap; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will match your rewards points at the end of your first year.
APR: 27.24% variable.
Perks and benefits: Online privacy protection, free Social Security number alerts, option to freeze your account if you misplace your card with Freeze It, $0 fraud liability guarantee, free FICO credit score.
Best for travel rewards: Discover it Travel Credit Card
Why it’s the best
Discover’s no-annual-fee travel card earns 1.5 miles on every dollar spent on purchases with no limit. At the end of your first year with the card, Discover will automatically match all the miles you’ve earned.
Pros and cons
Pros:
1.5 miles per dollar on purchases
Discover matches the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year
No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
Cons:
Doesn’t come with meaningful travel perks, like lounge access or travel insurances
Some other travel cards earn more miles per dollar
More details
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 1.5 miles per dollar on purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will match all the miles you earn at the end of your first year.
APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 months, then 16.24% - 27.24% variable after that.
Perks and benefits: Online privacy protection, miles never expire, flexible redemption options.
Best for points back at gas stations and restaurants: Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card
Why it’s the best
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with a low introductory APR period, the Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card could be a good choice. This card offers a low intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers and automatic 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, up to $1,000 per quarter. Other purchases earn 1% back.
Pros and cons
Pros:
Automatic 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants
No annual fee
Discover will match the cash back you earn at the end of your first year
Cons:
Quarterly spending cap of $1,000 for the 2% cash back rate
Other purchases only earn 1% cash back
More details
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 quarterly spending cap; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will match the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.
APR: 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months, 16.24% - 27.24% variable APR after that.
Perks and benefits: $0 fraud liability guarantee, plus other benefits that are standard to Discover’s family of credit cards.
Compare the best Discover credit cards
| Annual fee | Rewards | Welcome bonus | APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Cash Back Credit Card | $0 | 5% back in quarterly rotating categories upon activation up to $1,500 in spending each quarter; 1% back on other purchases | Unlimited cash back match from Discover at the end of your first year | 0% introductory APR for 15 months, then 16.24% - 27.24% variable |
| Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card | $0 | 5% cash back on rotating spending categories each quarter, up to a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spending; 1% back on other purchases | Unlimited cash back match from Discover at the end of your first year | 0% introductory APR for six months, then 17.24% - 26.24% variable after that |
| Discover it Student Chrome Credit Card | $0 | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, up to a combined quarterly spend of $1,000; 1% cash back on other purchases | Unlimited cash back match from Discover at the end of your first year | 0% introductory APR for 6 months, then 17.24% - 26.24% variable |
| Discover it Secured Credit Card | $0 | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to a $1,000 quarterly spending cap; 1% cash back on other purchases | Unlimited cash back match from Discover at the end of your first year | 27.24% variable |
| Discover it Travel Credit Card | $0 | 1.5 miles per dollar on purchases | Discover will automatically match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year | 0% introductory APR for 15 months, 16.24% - 27.24% variable after that |
| Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card | $0 | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 quarterly spending cap; 1% cash back on other purchases | Unlimited cash back match from Discover at the end of your first year | 0% introductory APR for 15 months, 16.24% - 27.24% variable APR after that |
Best for earning cash back: Discover it Cash Back Credit Card
This no-annual-fee card offers 5% back on rotating spending categories throughout the year, though you’ll have to activate these rewards each quarter. Other purchases earn a flat rate of 1% back. At the end of your first year, Discover will automatically match your rewards, essentially doubling the points you receive.
If you’re a hockey fan, you can also opt for Discover’s NHL credit card, which works the same as the Cash Back card but lets you choose among 32 NHL teams for your card design.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% back in quarterly rotating categories upon activation up to $1,500 in spending each quarter; 1% back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it Cash Back Credit Card offers decent rewards on your everyday purchases, but you’ll need to put in a little legwork to maximize your points. The card offers 5% back in rotating categories, which typically include restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores, and other popular categories.
You’ll need to activate these bonus categories each quarter to get the 5% back and your rewards drop to 1% after you’ve hit the quarterly $1,500 spending cap. All other purchases earn 1%. As with other Discover credit cards, you don’t have to worry about any annual fees or foreign transaction fees.
Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card
Students, who typically have limited credit histories, may find it challenging to qualify for a rewards card. But the Discover it Student Cash Back credit card is tailor-made for this purpose. It’s possible to get approved without a credit score and you’ll earn rewards too.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 5% cash back on rotating spending categories each quarter, up to a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spending; 1% back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it Student Cash Back Credit Card offers the opportunity for students to access credit without having a credit score. As with the Discover it Cash Back Card, this student card earns 5% cash back on rotating spending categories each quarter, up to a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spending and 1% back on other purchases. Busy students, however, might not appreciate having to activate the bonus categories each quarter.
Discover it Student Chrome Credit Card
For students who find remembering to activate categories each quarter too cumbersome, the Student Chrome Credit Card has a simpler proposition. It earns elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to the $1,000 quarterly maximum and all other spending earns 1%.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, up to a combined quarterly spend of $1,000; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Foreign transaction fee: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it Student Chrome Credit Card might be a better option for students who want to earn rewards without having to activate bonus categories each quarter. This card automatically earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, up to a quarterly spend of $1,000 and 1% cash back on other purchases. As with Discover’s other credit card offerings, this card comes with an unlimited cash-back match at the end of your first year. For example, if you earned $150 in rewards during your first year, that would become $300 with Discover’s match.
Discover it Secured Credit Card
The Discover it Secured Card ticks all the boxes for what you should look for in a secured card: No annual or account opening fees and the potential to “graduate” to an unsecured version with consistent on-time payment behavior. The rewards are just the cherry on top.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to a $1,000 quarterly spending cap; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Foreign transaction fee: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it Secured Credit Card reports to all three credit bureaus, so you can use it to rebuild credit or establish it from scratch with on-time payments. As with other secured cards, you’ll need to provide a security deposit upfront. After that, you can use this card like a traditional credit card and earn rewards points along the way, as well as Discover’s cash-back match at the end of your first year.
Discover it Travel Credit Card
Discover’s travel card might be a good fit for consumers who want a no-annual-fee travel card with flexible redemption options. There’s no limit to the number of miles you can earn and you can redeem your miles for cash back or a statement credit toward travel purchases.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 1.5 miles per dollar on purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Foreign transaction fee: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: The simple value proposition is likely to appeal to occasional travelers who don’t want to track rewards categories and want easy-to-earn easy-to-use rewards towards travel. But there are cash-back cards that earn a flat 2% back in all spending, which can be used on travel or any way you’d like.
Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card
Aimed at those who want simple and elevated rewards on gas and dining, and don’t want to shell out for an annual fee, the Discover it Chrome Gas and Restaurant Credit Card earns 2% back in those categories up to a quarterly maximum of $1,000, then 1%. All other spending earns 1%.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 quarterly spending cap; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Foreign transaction fee: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Although there are other cards on the market that offer 2% cash back on all spending, not just gas and restaurants, one major benefit of this card is that you can redeem your rewards in any amount, at any time, without having to wait to accrue a certain amount.
Should you get a Discover credit card?
Discover credit cards share a number of features that might appeal to you, including no annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or penalty fees on your first late payment. Plus, Discover cards come with other benefits, including a $0 fraud liability guarantee, online privacy protection, and a free FICO score.
You may also appreciate that Discover’s credit cards come with 24/7 access to its U.S.-based customer service team. Discover consistently ranks high for customer service, coming in at #2 on J.D. Power’s 2022 credit card customer satisfaction survey.
Students and poor- or no-credit borrowers might also like Discover’s student and secured credit card options, which offer generous perks and the ability to apply without a credit score. Opening one of these cards can help you build credit, as long as you make on-time payments.
If you have good or excellent credit, it might be worth shopping around with other credit card issuers to see if you can find higher rewards rates or bonus perks. If you’re looking for luxury travel benefits, such as lounge access or priority boarding, you’d be better off with Chase, American Express, or another credit card company.
Guide to Discover credit cards
About Discover's reward program
Discover’s credit cards earn cash back or miles with flexible redemption options. You can typically redeem your rewards as a direct deposit into your bank account, a statement credit, or toward Pay by Points on Amazon or Paypal. Discover’s travel card lets you redeem your miles for cash back or as statement credits toward travel purchases. Whether you opt for a cashback or travel card, the points you earn will never expire.
Which Discover card is right for you?
Discover offers a variety of credit cards to suit consumers with different needs. Here are some tips for choosing the right card.
If you’re a student: Look into Discover’s Student Cash Back or Student Chrome Card.
If you have poor or no credit: Explore the Discover it Secured Card.
If you want to maximize your cash back: Consider the Discover it Cash Back Card.
If you don’t want to worry about rotating rewards categories: Check out the Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card.
If you’re a frequent traveler: Look into Discover’s travel card.
Ultimately, the right card is the one that will earn you the most rewards based on your spending habits.
How to compare Discover Cards
Discover credit cards share a lot of the same feature. None of them charge annual fees or foreign transaction fees and they all come with Discover’s cash-back match welcome bonus. When comparing cards, however, look for some of the main differences, including the following:
Annual percentage rate
Whether the card has a 0% APR introductory period
Rewards and whether you need to activate spending categories
Spending caps on bonus rewards rate categories
Credit requirements to qualify for the card
Comparing these features can help you find the card that’s the best fit for you.
Methodology
Sound Dollar’s credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings.