Personal Finance Credit Cards
Written by Holly Johnson and Jasmin Baron; edited by Katherine Fan; reviewed by Angela Fung
- Reviews
- Why You Should Trust Us
Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews.
The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Chase Freedom Flex®. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Introduction to Discover Credit Cards
Discover offers a wide range of credit cards for different types of consumers. Discover credit cards don't come with an annual fee, and they offer online privacy protection, identity protection perks like Social Security Number monitoring, and free overnight card replacement if your card is lost or stolen.
Discover cards don't offer a traditional welcome bonus. Instead, Discover will match all the rewards you've earned at the end of your first cardmember year through the Discover Cashback Match™ program. There's no limit to the rewards you earn or the amount Discover will match after the first year.
Discover credit cards also make it easy to redeem your rewards at any time you want, in $1 increments. Redemption options can include applying your rewards to your Discover statement or depositing them into your bank account, as well as cashing in rewards for gift cards, charity donations, and at checkout with Amazon and PayPal. Cardholders also get free access to their FICO score.
Compare the Best Discover Credit Cards
Best for bonus cash back
Discover it® Cash Back
On Discover's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
3.8/5
Perks
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. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable
Intro Offer
Unlimited Cashback Match™ – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™
Recommended Credit
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Good to Excellent
Pros
- From July 1 to September 30, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back atWalmart and grocery stores on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
- Discover will match your cash back earned at the end of your first account year
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter
- If the quarterly categories aren't convenient for you, you can earn more cash back with a different card
Insider’s Take
The Discover it® Cash Back is one of the best credit cards that offers 5% back on popular rotating categories up to a spending limit. Your rewards are matched by Discover after the first 12 months, and the card has no annual fee.
Discover it Cash Back review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Best for gas and dining
Discover it® Chrome
On Discover's website
Insider’s Rating
Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
3.6/5
Perks
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable
Intro Offer
Unlimited Cashback Match™ - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™
Recommended Credit
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Earns 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%
- Discover matches your cash back after your first account year
Cons
- Low cap on earning cash back each quarter ($1,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and gas stations)
Discover it® Chrome review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Then 18.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Best for travel
Discover it® Miles
On Discover's website
Insider’s Rating
Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
3.8/5
Perks
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable
Intro Offer
Unlimited Bonus: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year
Unlimited match of all the miles you've earned at the end of your first year
Recommended Credit
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases
- Discover matches all the miles you've earned at the end of your first year
Cons
- Limited benefits compared to other travel rewards cards
Insider’s Take
If you're looking for a no-annual-fee credit card with a simple rewards structure, the Discover it® Miles is worth considering. Its biggest strength is the 1.5x miles it earns across the board, along with Discover's Unlimited Bonus program that matches all the rewards you earn in the first year.
Discover it® Miles review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
- Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
- No annual fee
- Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Best for students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
3.8/5
Perks
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. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for six months on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Intro Offer
Unlimited Cashback Match™ - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™
Recommended Credit
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Fair/New to Credit
Pros
- From July 1 to September 30, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back atWalmart and grocery stores on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
- Discover matches your cash back after the first year
Cons
- Not the most rewarding cash-back card for non-bonus purchases
Insider’s Take
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a great choice if you're a student with limited credit history and want to earn a strong rate of cash back on your everyday spending without paying an annual fee.
Discover it Student Cash Back review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It's free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Best for lower credit scores
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
On Discover's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
3.6/5
Perks
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
28.24% Variable
Intro Offer
Unlimited Cashback Match™ – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™
Recommended Credit
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
New/Rebuilding
Pros
- Offers cash-back rewards, which isn't a given for secured credit cards
- Discover matches cash back after your first account year
Cons
- Other secured cards let you start with lower minimum security deposits
- You must fund the security deposit from a bank account
Insider’s Take
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is worth considering if you're new to credit or are working on rebuilding your score, since it's unlikely you'll be approved for any of the best credit cards on the market. It's unique because it earns strong rewards when most other secured credit cards do not.
Discover it Secured Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- No credit score required to apply.
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
- Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It's free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Best Discover Credit Cards of 2024
- Discover it® Cash Back: Best for cash back
- Discover it® Chrome: Best for gas and dining
- Discover it® Miles: Best for travel
- Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for students
- Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for lower credit scores
Best Discover Credit Card Reviews
Best for Cash Back: Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back is similar to the Chase Freedom Flex® in that it lets you earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter in bonus categories once activated (then 1%) (from July 1 to September 30, 2024, earn 5% cash back atWalmart and grocery stores on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).
New cardholders also get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR), which can save some cash if you want to spread out payments for large purchases.
Read our Discover it Cash Back card review to learn more.
Best for Gas and Dining: Discover it® Chrome
If you're looking for a Discover card and spend a lot at gas stations and restaurants, the Discover it® Chrome is worth considering. Cardholders earn 2% cash back on their first $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter (then 1%), and all other purchases earn 1% back, with no limits or bonus categories to keep track of.
Keep in mind there are cards from other issuers, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, that earn 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Like other Discover cards, the Discover it® Chrome offers a Cashback Match™ after the first 12 months of opening the account. New cardholders can take advantage of a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR).
You can find out all the details in our Discover it® Chrome review.
Best for Travel: Discover it® Miles
The Discover it® Miles keeps things simple by earning 1.5 miles for each dollar you spend, and remember that all your miles will be matched after the first year. From there, you can redeem them for travel purchases charged to your card at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
You can also redeem miles for cash back or statement credits to cover other charges made to your card, so you aren't tied down to just travel redemptions. There is no annual fee to keep this card, and you can get access to your FICO score for free on your monthly statements.
The Discover it® Miles also comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, followed by a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR.
Read our Discover it Miles review to learn more.
Best for Students: Discover it Student Cash Back
The Discover it Student Cash Back is basically a student version of the Discover it Cash Back. You'll earn the same 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in rotating quarterly bonus categories after activation, then 1%. You'll also earn 1% cash back on everything else you buy (from July 1 to September 30, 2024, earn 5% cash back atWalmart and grocery stores on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).
There aren't many student credit cards that come with an introductory APR, but the Discover it Student Cash Back offers a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases, followed by a 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR. You might want to take advantage of this if you have big expenses, like textbooks or dorm decor, that you can't pay off all at once.
It may be easier to qualify for this card with limited credit history.
Best for Consumers with Lower Credit Scores: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Where many secured credit cards charge annual fees, application fees, and other fees, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card doesn't charge any fees. You do have to put down a cash deposit to get started, but your deposit is fully refundable provided you close your account in good standing.
You'll also earn 2% cash back on the first $1,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter (then 1%), as well as 1% back on everything else you buy. Like other rewards from Discover, you can earn unlimited cash back that never expires and redeem it for cash back, statement credits, and gift cards.
You can get free access to your FICO score on your credit card statement each month, which can help you monitor and improve your credit over time. Further, you won't pay a late fee on your first late payment, and there aren't any over-the-limit fees with this card, either. Automatic reviews start at seven months to see if Discover can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
Read our Discover it Secured credit card review to learn more.
Discover Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Discover credit card to get?
The Discover it® Cash Back is a great fit for most people because flat-rate cash back is easy to understand, earn, and use.
Do Discover cards charge fees?
Discover credit cards do not have annual or foreign transaction fees, so they're a good choice if you're trying to minimize out-of-pocket costs. Like most other credit cards, there are fees for balance transfers, cash advances, late payments, and returned payments.
Is it good to have a Discover credit card?
A Discover credit card can be a great addition to your wallet. Discover cards are accepted worldwide, although you might encounter a few merchants — like Costco — that don't accept Discover cards. Discover cards are accepted wherever you see the "JCB" logo in Japan, and in many countries when you see the "Diners Club International" logo.
How does Discover Cashback Match work?
Discover Cashback Match™ (called Unlimited Bonus with the Discover it® Miles card) is a program for new cardholders. After 12 months, Discover will match all the rewards you earned in the first 12 months with no limits — even on bonus categories.
For example, if you earned $500 in rewards in the first year of having the Discover it Cash Back, Discover would match that for a total of $1,000 back in the first 12 months.
How many Discover credit cards can you have?
You can have a maximum of two Discover cards at one time, but you'll have to wait at least a year after opening your first card before you can get approved for a second.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Discover Credit Cards
We evaluated Discover's credit card lineup and looked at several factors:
- Earning potential — Does the card earn cash back or other rewards, and does it offer appealing bonus categories and a competitive rewards rate?
- Ease of use — Are there restrictions to be aware of, and is the rewards program easy to understand?
- Options for various types of consumers — We selected a variety of cards geared to different types of spenders, including students, credit card beginners, and those looking for an introductory 0% APR.
Here's a closer look at how we rate credit cards all Business Insider.
Other Discover Products
Discover also offers the following products:
- Discover Personal Loan Review
- Discover Student Loan Review
- Discover Bank Review
- Discover Savings Account Review
- Discover CD Rates
- Discover Home Loans
Freelance Writer
Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. In addition to serving as contributing editor for The Simple Dollar and writing for publications such as Bankrate, U.S. News and World Report Travel, and Travel Pulse, Johnson ownsClub Thriftyand is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love."
Editor
Jasmin Baron was an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Business Insider. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada.
Marketing Compliance Manager
Angela Fung is the Compliance Manager for Business Insider'sPersonal Financedivision, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to maintain reader trust by confirming stories are fact-checked and current so that readers can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by maintaining clear, precise language that is compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.
Top Offers From Our Partners
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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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