Is Discover a good credit card?

With no cash or points sign-up bonuses, Discover cards probably shouldn’t be the first cards you add to your wallet. That being said, for people with poor or limited credit histories, the various student and secured cards Discover offers can be a great stepping stone to more rewarding transferable points cards. Experienced players can get great value here as well. Since there’s no cap on the first-year cash-back match, high-spending individuals and businesses can score an incredible return on bonus categories and everyday spending without jumping through as many hoops as some other cards require.

How do you apply for a Discover credit card?

You can apply for a Discover credit card like you would apply for any credit card – online or by phone. The easiest option is to do it online. A credit card issuer will ask for some personal information, including your name, contact information, annual income, Social Security number and other financial details. You’ll be asked to read the terms and conditions of the card’s benefits, interest rates and applicable fees. Once you apply, many issuers will give you a decision in just a few seconds, but you could end up having to wait for up to two weeks for an answer. For Discover cards, you must be at least 18 or older to apply for a card. If you’re not yet 21, you will have to apply online. Discover Secured credit card applicants must also apply online.

What credit score do you need for a Discover credit card?

Credit score requirements will vary by the card you are looking to add. For instance, the Discover it Secured credit card is meant for those needing to build or rebuild their credit. A standard Discover it® Card, such as Discover it® Cash Back or Discover it® Miles, would be more suited for those with established credit.

How do you pay a Discover credit card?

Credit card payments are typically due the same day each month. It’s smart to set some sort of reminder to remember to pay off your Discover credit card on time to avoid missing payments. You can normally use online banking services to make an electronic credit card payment. We at TPG always recommend that you avoid carrying a balance on your credit card from month to month. Rapidly compounding interest charges you accrue when carrying a balance will likely wipe away any gains you earn toward valuable rewards.

How does cash back work on Discover credit cards?

Every Discover it credit card earns an unlimited cash-back match for the first 12 months of card ownership (with the exception of the Discover it® Miles, which matches every mile earned after the first year). This means Discover gives an unlimited dollar-to-dollar match of all the cash back (or miles) earned at the end of your first year. Otherwise, certain Discover cards earn cash back differently. The Discover it® Cash Back earns 5% cash back in rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to the quarterly maximum when you activate) and 1% cash back on all other purchases, while the Discover it® Chrome earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically, plus 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases, for instance.

How do you activate a Discover credit card?

You can activate your new Discover credit card online, using the Discover mobile app or over the phone by calling customer service. Once you activate your card, you can use it immediately as long as the account is open and the card has not expired.

How do you cancel a Discover credit card?

After weighing the appropriate considerations regarding whether you should keep the card open or ultimately cancel it, you can cancel a Discover credit card by picking up the phone and calling the card issuer. If the bank offers a “secure message center,” there’s a chance you may be able to close your account online. Before canceling the card, be sure you’ve planned an exit strategy, protected any lingering rewards, paid the balance of the account and canceled any recurring payments.

Credit Cards

5 Best Discover cards of October 2026

By
Stephanie StevensAssociate credit cards writer
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
and
Augusta StoneCredit cards writer
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
Edited by
Nick EwenEditor-in-chief
Nick Ewen is TPG's editor-in-chief and helps readers leverage credit cards (he has more than 25 of them) and loyalty programs to travel more for less. He's been at TPG for over 11 years.

UpdatedSeptember 21, 2026

At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analyses are entirely our own. Learn more about our advertising policy and product review methodology.

Best for maximizing rotating categories

Discover it® Cash Back

Intro offerUnlimited Cashback Match™
Annual fee$0
You'll earn1-5x
Regular APR17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR

Apply now

at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

The best Discover credit cards offer easy rewards and great benefits. Known for carrying no annual fees across its entire product line, Discover remains one of our top choices for those just getting started with travel rewards. However, the lucrative cash-back rates, flexible redemption options and diverse offerings can be a good fit for just about any traveler.

We have selected the best Discover credit cards to empower consumers to earn on their everyday purchases without the hassle of annual fees.

Browse by card categories

Best for maximizing rotating categories

Discover it® Cash Back

TPG editor's rating

3.5Go to review

TPG editor's rating

3.5

at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
5%	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.
1%	Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro offer

Unlimited Cashback Match™

Annual fee

Regular APR

17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR

Recommended credit

670-850

Excellent/Good

Why we chose it

The Discover it Cash Back is a solid no-annual-fee option for earning elevated cash back on rotating spending categories. Cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating bonus categories (activation required), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover's first-year Cashback Match adds even more value by automatically matching all the cash back earned during the first cardmember year, with no limit on the match.

Pros + cons

Pros

No annual fee
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating categories after activation
Cashback Match automatically matches all cash back earned during the first cardmember year

Cons

Requires activation to earn 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories
Quarterly spending cap on 5% categories
1% cash back outside bonus categories

More details

Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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
Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply

Why we chose it

View more

Pros

No annual fee
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating categories after activation
Cashback Match automatically matches all cash back earned during the first cardmember year

Cons

Requires activation to earn 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories
Quarterly spending cap on 5% categories
1% cash back outside bonus categories

Why we chose it

Pros + cons

Pros

No annual fee
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating categories after activation
Cashback Match automatically matches all cash back earned during the first cardmember year

Cons

Requires activation to earn 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories
Quarterly spending cap on 5% categories
1% cash back outside bonus categories

More details

Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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
Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply

Why we chose it

Pros

No annual fee
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating categories after activation
Cashback Match automatically matches all cash back earned during the first cardmember year

Cons

Requires activation to earn 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories
Quarterly spending cap on 5% categories
1% cash back outside bonus categories

Best for simple travel rewards
Discover it® Miles
TPG editor's rating
3.5
Go to review
Compare Discover it® Miles
TPG editor's rating
3.5
at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
Rewards rate
Rate Category
1.5X Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar of every purchase.
Intro offer
Discover Match®
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Recommended credit
670-850
Excellent/Good
Why we chose it
The Discover it Miles is a straightforward card for beginners who want to earn rewards. Every purchase earns unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent, with no bonus categories to track, no rotating quarters to remember, and no annual fee. New cardmembers can also take advantage of Discover Match, which automatically matches all the miles earned during the first year, with no limit. Miles never expire and are redeemable for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases.

Pros + cons
Pros
No annual fee
Earns an unlimited flat-rate miles on every purchase
Discover Match automatically matches all miles earned during the first cardmember year
Miles can be redeemed for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases
Cons
No bonus earning categories
No airline or hotel transfer partners
More details
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply
UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited mile-for-mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a mile-for-mile match. You could turn 35,000 miles into 70,000 miles
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. Redemption rates for these options may vary and are subject to change
Terms and conditions apply
Why we chose it
The Discover it Miles is a straightforward card for beginners who want to earn rewards. Every purchase earns unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent, with no bonus categories to track, no rotating quarters to remember, and no annual fee. New cardmembers can also take advantage of Discover Match, which automatically matches all the miles earned during the first year, with no limit. Miles never expire and are redeemable for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases.

View more
Pros
No annual fee
Earns an unlimited flat-rate miles on every purchase
Discover Match automatically matches all miles earned during the first cardmember year
Miles can be redeemed for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases
Cons
No bonus earning categories
No airline or hotel transfer partners
Why we chose it
The Discover it Miles is a straightforward card for beginners who want to earn rewards. Every purchase earns unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent, with no bonus categories to track, no rotating quarters to remember, and no annual fee. New cardmembers can also take advantage of Discover Match, which automatically matches all the miles earned during the first year, with no limit. Miles never expire and are redeemable for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases.

Pros + cons
Pros
No annual fee
Earns an unlimited flat-rate miles on every purchase
Discover Match automatically matches all miles earned during the first cardmember year
Miles can be redeemed for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases
Cons
No bonus earning categories
No airline or hotel transfer partners
More details
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply
UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited mile-for-mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a mile-for-mile match. You could turn 35,000 miles into 70,000 miles
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. Redemption rates for these options may vary and are subject to change
Terms and conditions apply
Why we chose it
The Discover it Miles is a straightforward card for beginners who want to earn rewards. Every purchase earns unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent, with no bonus categories to track, no rotating quarters to remember, and no annual fee. New cardmembers can also take advantage of Discover Match, which automatically matches all the miles earned during the first year, with no limit. Miles never expire and are redeemable for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases.

Pros
No annual fee
Earns an unlimited flat-rate miles on every purchase
Discover Match automatically matches all miles earned during the first cardmember year
Miles can be redeemed for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases
Cons
No bonus earning categories
No airline or hotel transfer partners
Best for simple travel rewards
Discover it® Miles
Compare Discover it® Miles
TPG editor's rating
3.5
Go to review
at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Intro offer
Discover Match®
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Recommended credit
670-850
Excellent/Good
Why we chose it
The Discover it Miles is a straightforward card for beginners who want to earn rewards. Every purchase earns unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent, with no bonus categories to track, no rotating quarters to remember, and no annual fee. New cardmembers can also take advantage of Discover Match, which automatically matches all the miles earned during the first year, with no limit. Miles never expire and are redeemable for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases.

Pros + cons
Pros
No annual fee
Earns an unlimited flat-rate miles on every purchase
Discover Match automatically matches all miles earned during the first cardmember year
Miles can be redeemed for cash or as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases
Cons
No bonus earning categories
No airline or hotel transfer partners
More details
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply
UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited mile-for-mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a mile-for-mile match. You could turn 35,000 miles into 70,000 miles
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. Redemption rates for these options may vary and are subject to change
Terms and conditions apply
Best for simple gas and restaurants rewards
Discover it® Chrome
TPG editor's rating
2.5
Go to review
Compare Discover it® Chrome
TPG editor's rating
2.5
at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
Rewards rate
Rate Category
2% Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
1% Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match™
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Recommended credit
670-850
Excellent/Good
Why we chose it
The Discover it Chrome is a no-annual-fee cash-back card with a simple rewards structure that rewards spending at gas stations and restaurants. Cardmembers earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Once the quarterly cap is reached, gas station and restaurant purchases also earn 1%. Discover's first-year Cashback Match adds value for new cardmembers, but the card's quarterly spending cap limits its long-term appeal.

Pros + cons
Pros
No annual fee
Elevated cash-back earnings on restaurant and gas station purchases
Cons
Quarterly caps on bonus earnings
More details
Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers and 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem cash back for any amount
No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply
Why we chose it
The Discover it Chrome is a no-annual-fee cash-back card with a simple rewards structure that rewards spending at gas stations and restaurants. Cardmembers earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Once the quarterly cap is reached, gas station and restaurant purchases also earn 1%. Discover's first-year Cashback Match adds value for new cardmembers, but the card's quarterly spending cap limits its long-term appeal.

View more
Pros
No annual fee
Elevated cash-back earnings on restaurant and gas station purchases
Cons
Quarterly caps on bonus earnings
Why we chose it
The Discover it Chrome is a no-annual-fee cash-back card with a simple rewards structure that rewards spending at gas stations and restaurants. Cardmembers earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Once the quarterly cap is reached, gas station and restaurant purchases also earn 1%. Discover's first-year Cashback Match adds value for new cardmembers, but the card's quarterly spending cap limits its long-term appeal.

Pros + cons
Pros
No annual fee
Elevated cash-back earnings on restaurant and gas station purchases
Cons
Quarterly caps on bonus earnings
More details
Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers and 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem cash back for any amount
No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply
Why we chose it
The Discover it Chrome is a no-annual-fee cash-back card with a simple rewards structure that rewards spending at gas stations and restaurants. Cardmembers earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Once the quarterly cap is reached, gas station and restaurant purchases also earn 1%. Discover's first-year Cashback Match adds value for new cardmembers, but the card's quarterly spending cap limits its long-term appeal.

Pros
No annual fee
Elevated cash-back earnings on restaurant and gas station purchases
Cons
Quarterly caps on bonus earnings
Best for simple gas and restaurants rewards
Discover it® Chrome
Compare Discover it® Chrome
TPG editor's rating
2.5
Go to review
at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match™
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Recommended credit
670-850
Excellent/Good
Why we chose it
The Discover it Chrome is a no-annual-fee cash-back card with a simple rewards structure that rewards spending at gas stations and restaurants. Cardmembers earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Once the quarterly cap is reached, gas station and restaurant purchases also earn 1%. Discover's first-year Cashback Match adds value for new cardmembers, but the card's quarterly spending cap limits its long-term appeal.

Pros + cons
Pros
No annual fee
Elevated cash-back earnings on restaurant and gas station purchases
Cons
Quarterly caps on bonus earnings
More details
Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers and 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem cash back for any amount
No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply
Best for rotating categories for students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
TPG editor's rating
3.5
Go to review
Compare Discover it® Student Cash Back
TPG editor's rating
Why we chose it
The Discover it Student Cash Back is a solid first credit card for students who want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee. Cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating bonus categories (activation required), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. At the end of the first cardmember year, Discover automatically matches all of the cash back earned, with no limit on the match.

Pros + cons
Pros
No annual fee
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating categories after activation
Cashback Match automatically matches all cash back earned during the first cardmember year
Cons
Requires activation to earn 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories
Quarterly spending cap on 5% categories
1% cash back outside bonus categories
More details
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.74% - 25.74% applies
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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 $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200
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
Redeem cash back for any amount
No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply
Best for rotating categories for students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Compare Discover it® Student Cash Back
TPG editor's rating
Best for gas and restaurant rewards for students
Discover it® Student Chrome
TPG editor's rating

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
1.5X	Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar of every purchase.

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
2%	Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
1%	Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Comparing the best Discover credit cards

Credit card	Best for	Intro offer	Earning rate	Annual fee	Apply
Discover it® Cash Back 3.5

MoreDetails

“More details on the best Discover credit cards”

How we rate

We rated the best Discover credit cards based on several factors, including bonus earning rates and perks associated with each card that add overall value to each card. To learn about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, check out our methodology here.

Welcome bonus
Discover cards do not typically come with welcome bonuses but they do offer first-year cash-back match which is considered in our rating.
Annual fee
Our top picks feature no annual fee as Discover products do not feature an annual fee.
Earning rates
We chose the best Discover cards that feature solid bonus categories to help you get the most from your spending.
Redemption options
The best Discover credit cards come with various redemption options, including cash back.
Added benefits
In addition to no annual fee and strong earning rates, our top Discover cards also offer other perks and benefits.

How to choose a Discover credit card

Like with any decision on a credit card, your financial goals, personal budget, and spending habits should be at the forefront when considering which Discover product you’re going to add to your wallet. If you’re looking to earn cash back, want a simple earning structure, and find a chunk of your spending comes on gas and restaurant purchases, the Discover it® Chrome offers 2% cash back in those categories on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter automatically, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. If you want to earn miles to redeem travel credits, the Discover it® Miles earns an unlimited 1.5 miles on every dollar of every purchase. If you’re looking to build credit (whether you’re young and just starting out or looking to move on from some dings to your credit report), the Discover it® Secured could be a smart strategy. These are just a few of the options across Discover’s product line. Every Discover it® credit card comes with no annual fee and unlimited match in the first 12 months (either cash back or miles, in the case of the Discover it® Miles credit card), along with no foreign transaction fees. Deciding on a card will include weighing where you are in your financial journey along with what you’re looking to gain. The information for the Discover it® Secured Cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Here are some of the main points to consider when choosing a Discover credit card:

1
Welcome bonus
Earning a welcome bonus is a great way to maximize your spending. While most Discover credit cards don't offer a welcome bonus, they do feature a first year cash-back match.
2
Annual fee
Discover cards do not come with annual fees which allow you to optimize your spending without worrying about justifying the cost of an annual fee.
3
Bonus categories
Discover cards offer various bonus categories that allow you to maximize your spending and, in turn, rewards earned. Plus, Discover cards offer elevated cash back rates in various rotating categories throughout the year, making these cards flexible for every type of spender.

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Pros + cons of Discover cards

Pros
- Discover cards do not charge annual fees
- Discover cards also do not charge foreign transaction fees
- Most Discover cards offer a healthy 5% cash back rate in specific spend categories
- Activating cash back bonus categories is fast and easy
- Redeeming cash back is also straightforward and simple
Cons
- You must remember to activate bonus spend categories
- There are better card options if you prefer to earn a flat reward rate across all purchases without needing to activate specific spend categories

Frequently asked questions

Is Discover a good credit card?
With no cash or points sign-up bonuses, Discover cards probably shouldn’t be the first cards you add to your wallet. That being said, for people with poor or limited credit histories, the various student and secured cards Discover offers can be a great stepping stone to more rewarding transferable points cards.

Experienced players can get great value here as well. Since there’s no cap on the first-year cash-back match, high-spending individuals and businesses can score an incredible return on bonus categories and everyday spending without jumping through as many hoops as some other cards require.
How do you apply for a Discover credit card?
You can apply for a Discover credit card like you would apply for any credit card – online or by phone. The easiest option is to do it online. A credit card issuer will ask for some personal information, including your name, contact information, annual income, Social Security number and other financial details. You’ll be asked to read the terms and conditions of the card’s benefits, interest rates and applicable fees.

Once you apply, many issuers will give you a decision in just a few seconds, but you could end up having to wait for up to two weeks for an answer.

For Discover cards, you must be at least 18 or older to apply for a card. If you’re not yet 21, you will have to apply online. Discover Secured credit card applicants must also apply online.
What credit score do you need for a Discover credit card?
Credit score requirements will vary by the card you are looking to add. For instance, the Discover it Secured credit card is meant for those needing to build or rebuild their credit. A standard Discover it® Card, such as Discover it® Cash Back or Discover it® Miles, would be more suited for those with established credit.
How do you pay a Discover credit card?
Credit card payments are typically due the same day each month. It’s smart to set some sort of reminder to remember to pay off your Discover credit card on time to avoid missing payments. You can normally use online banking services to make an electronic credit card payment.

We at TPG always recommend that you avoid carrying a balance on your credit card from month to month. Rapidly compounding interest charges you accrue when carrying a balance will likely wipe away any gains you earn toward valuable rewards.
How does cash back work on Discover credit cards?
Every Discover it credit card earns an unlimited cash-back match for the first 12 months of card ownership (with the exception of the Discover it® Miles, which matches every mile earned after the first year). This means Discover gives an unlimited dollar-to-dollar match of all the cash back (or miles) earned at the end of your first year.

Otherwise, certain Discover cards earn cash back differently. The Discover it® Cash Back earns 5% cash back in rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to the quarterly maximum when you activate) and 1% cash back on all other purchases, while the Discover it® Chrome earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically, plus 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases, for instance.
How do you activate a Discover credit card?
You can activate your new Discover credit card online, using the Discover mobile app or over the phone by calling customer service. Once you activate your card, you can use it immediately as long as the account is open and the card has not expired.
How do you cancel a Discover credit card?
After weighing the appropriate considerations regarding whether you should keep the card open or ultimately cancel it, you can cancel a Discover credit card by picking up the phone and calling the card issuer. If the bank offers a “secure message center,” there’s a chance you may be able to close your account online.

Before canceling the card, be sure you’ve planned an exit strategy, protected any lingering rewards, paid the balance of the account and canceled any recurring payments.

Compare