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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Discover it Chrome Card review: Earn cash back at gas stations and restaurants
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.
March 24, 2025 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
This card offers elevated cash-back rewards at gas stations and restaurants, with a quarterly cap on bonus earnings.
There is no annual fee, making it accessible for beginners seeking simple cash-back options.
First-year cardholders benefit from a cash-back match, effectively doubling their rewards after 12 months.
Redemption options are straightforward, including statement credits, bank deposits, gift cards and select online checkouts.
What to consider
Bonus cash-back rates apply only to the first $1,000 in combined gas station and restaurant purchases per quarter; after that, a lower rate applies.
There is no traditional welcome offer, but a first-year cash-back match can provide value for those with higher initial spending.
Redemption flexibility is strong, but overall earning potential may be limited compared to other no-annual-fee cash-back cards.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of alternative cash-back cards that may offer higher rewards or more flexible earning structures for everyday spending.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The Discover it® Chrome Card is a cash-back offering from Discover that earns bonus rewards on gas and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter). It's a decent option for no annual fee, but there are better options out there for cash-back earnings on everyday purchases. Card rating*: ⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The Discover it Chrome differs from the Discover it® Cash Back credit card, the issuer's other cash-back option, since it doesn't feature rotating bonus categories and has a lower quarterly threshold for elevated cash-back earnings.
The card has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of at least 670. Keep reading to learn more about the Discover it Chrome to see if it's worth adding to your wallet.
The information for the Discover it Chrome Card and the Discover it Cash Back credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Elevated cash-back earnings on restaurant and gas station purchases
Quarterly caps on bonus earnings
Limited redemption options
Discover it Chrome welcome offer
The Discover it Chrome doesn't provide a typical welcome offer, but you will earn a cash-back match at the end of your first year.
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There's no limit to how much you can earn with the cash-back match at the end of your first year, which means your earnings are effectively doubled after 12 months. It's the same cash-back match offered by the Discover it Cash Back credit card.
This can be a solid offer if you plan on spending frequently with the card in your first year.
With the Discover it Chrome, you'll earn 2% cash back on purchases made at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that cap is met, you'll earn 1% cash back in these categories.
These are fine cash-back rates for a no-annual-fee card in two popular categories. However, the $1,000 quarterly cap on earning 2% back could be limiting for higher spenders. Aside from the first-year cash-back match, the Discover it Chrome doesn't provide the strongest earning options.
Assuming you spend $1,000 in the 2% categories each quarter, that's just $20 cash back.
Plus, there are other, arguably better, options for earning elevated cash back without an annual fee (more on these later).
Redeeming cash back with the Discover it Chrome
It's simple to redeem the cash-back rewards you earn with the Discover it Chrome.
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You can deposit your cash back into a bank account or apply it toward your bill as a statement credit. You can also get gift cards starting at $5; use your rewards through Amazon checkout, Apple Pay or PayPal; or make a charitable donation.
A nice perk is that you can redeem any amount of your cash-back rewards at any time.
The Discover it Chrome is a solid option for beginners since it makes redeeming cash back as simple as possible.
There are multiple cash-back cards to consider that earn higher than 1% across popular bonus categories, including gas stations and restaurants.
If you want to earn more on gas purchases: The offers a higher 3% cash back rate at U.S. gas stations than what's offered by the Discover it Chrome. The card charges a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees), so you'll have to weigh whether the annual fee is worth it to you. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.
If you prefer rotating bonus categories: The Discover it Cash Back credit card is another card in the Discover ecosystem that offers bonus cash back in quarterly bonus categories (activation required) that occasionally include gas stations and restaurants, among other options. You'll get elevated cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases within the bonus categories each quarter. To learn more, check out our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
If you want no cap on 2% cash-back earnings: The (see rates and fees) is a simple way to earn 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you make a purchase and 1% as you pay that purchase off). You'll get 2% cash back on everything, and the card charges no annual fee. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
In my opinion, the Discover it Chrome is not the best option for maximizing cash-back rewards, as the $1,000 quarterly cap on 2% bonus earnings for gas station and restaurant purchases waters down its potential. However, those who can make the most of the first-year cash-back match offer or newcomers looking for simple redemption options could find this no-annual-fee card worthwhile.
Bottom line
There are better options to earn more cash back on your gas station and restaurant purchases than the Discover it Chrome, even if you aren't looking to pay an annual fee. If you're comfortable with managing rotating bonus categories, you'll likely find more value in Discover's other cash-back offering, the Discover it Cash Back.
Those willing to spend a decent amount on the Discover it Chrome in the first 12 months of holding it will most likely receive the most value from it. For the majority of people, I say there are better options.
