Best Discover Credit Cards

Top Credit Cards from Discover Bank

Discover it® Cash Back

Rewards rate: 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Introductory APR: 0% Intro APR† for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. 3% Intro Balance Transfer Fee until January 10, 2024. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR and up to 5% fee for future balance transfers will apply.

Standard APR: 17.24% variable to 28.24% variable, based on your creditworthiness.

Sign up bonus: Cashback match – dollar-for-dollar match of cash back earned through your first year.

Our Verdict: The Discover it Cash Back card is a top choice for cash back enthusiasts. With a generous rewards rate of 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to the quarterly maximum when you activate), along with unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, this card offers substantial rewards potential. It’s especially appealing with the 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. However, be aware of the regular APR range of 17.24% to 28.24%, which means it’s essential to manage your balance wisely. While there’s no sign-up bonus, the ongoing rewards can make up for it.

Pros:

• 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
• Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
• No annual fee.

Cons:

• 5% cash back categories rotate quarterly, so you may not always earn the highest rewards rate on your spending.
• Regular APR of 17.24% to 28.24% variable.

Apply now: Discover it® Cash Back

Learn more: Discover It Cash Back Review

Discover It® Student Cash Back

Rewards rate: 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Introductory APR: 0% Intro APR† for 6 months on purchases. Then 18.24% – 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.

Standard APR: 18.24% – 27.24% variable, based on your creditworthiness.

Sign up bonus: Cashback match – dollar-for-dollar match of cash back earned through your first year.

Our Verdict: Serving as the best Discover credit card for beginners and for students, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is a smart choice. The card’s rewards rate of 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to the quarterly maximum when you activate) and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases provides an opportunity to earn rewards on daily spending. The 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases is a helpful feature for students starting to build credit. However, the regular APR can be on the higher side, ranging from 18.24% to 27.24%. While there’s no sign-up bonus, the card offers valuable long-term rewards making it one of the best credit cards Discover offers to consumers.

Pros:

• 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
• Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
• No annual fee.

Cons:

• 5% cash back categories rotate quarterly, so you may not always earn the highest rewards rate on your spending.
• Regular APR of 18.24% to 27.24% variable.

Apply now: Discover It® Student Cash Back

Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Rewards rate: 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 automatically.

Introductory APR: 0% Intro APR† for 6 months on purchases. Then the standard purchase APR applies.

Standard APR: 18.24% – 27.24% variable, based on your creditworthiness.

Sign up bonus: Cashback match – dollar-for-dollar match of cash back earned through your first year.

Our Verdict: The Discover it Secured Credit Card is a solid option for individuals looking to establish or rebuild their credit while earning rewards. With 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, this card provides a path to credit improvement. The 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases is like an added benefit. However, the regular APR ranges from 18.24% to 27.24%, so responsible credit management is key. Although there’s no sign-up bonus, the opportunity to build credit and earn rewards makes this card appealing.

Pros:

• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
• Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
• No annual fee.

Cons:

• Regular APR of 18.24% to 27.24% variable.

Apply now: Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Discover it Balance Transfer

Rewards rate: 0% cash back.

Introductory APR: 0% Intro APR† for 15 months on balance transfers. 3% Intro Balance Transfer Fee until January 10, 2024. Then the standard balance transfer APR applies.

Standard APR: 17.24% variable to 28.24% variable, based on your creditworthiness.

Sign up bonus: $0 sign up bonus.

Our Verdict: The Discover it Balance Transfer card is an excellent choice for those looking to consolidate and manage credit card debt, thus it also serves as the answer to which is the best Discover card to build credit. It offers a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, which can help save on interest charges. However, there’s a 3% Intro Balance Transfer Fee until January 10, 2024, and then the standard balance transfer APR applies. While there’s no annual fee, be mindful of the regular APR range of 17.24% to 28.24%. This card is most suitable for those with a clear plan for balance transfer and debt reduction. Despite the absence of a sign-up bonus, its balance transfer benefits are a strong selling point.

Pros:

• 0% Intro APR† for 15 months on balance transfers.
• 3% Intro Balance Transfer Fee until January 10, 2024. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR and up to 5% fee for future balance transfers will apply.
• No annual fee.

Cons:

• High regular APR of 17.24% to 28.24% variable.
• Balance transfer fee of 3%.

Apply now: Discover it Balance Transfer

Discover It® Chrome

Rewards rate: 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 automatically.

Introductory APR: None.

Standard APR: 17.24% – 28.24% variable, based on your creditworthiness.

Sign up bonus: $0 sign up bonus.

Our Verdict: The Discover it Chrome card is an excellent choice for individuals who frequently spend on gas and dining and is one of the best credit card Discover offerings. With 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, along with unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, it offers solid rewards. The lack of an introductory APR is a minor drawback, but the card compensates with its ongoing rewards. Keep in mind the regular APR ranging from 17.24% to 28.24%. Although it doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus, it’s a great option for those who want to earn cash back on their everyday expenses.

Pros:

• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
• Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
• No annual fee.

Cons:

• Regular APR of 17.24% to 28.24% variable.

Apply now: Discover It® Chrome

Learn more: Discover It Chrome Review

Discover it Miles

Rewards rate: Earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all purchases.

Introductory APR: None.

Standard APR: 17.24% – 28.24% variable, based on your creditworthiness.

Sign up bonus: $0 sign up bonus.

Our Verdict: The Discover it Miles card is a straightforward choice for those who prefer travel rewards without the complexity of traditional airline or hotel programs and also happens to be one of the best credit card from Discover. With a rewards rate of 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all purchases, it’s essentially a 1.5% cash back card for travel. The miles are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel through Discover. While it doesn’t offer an introductory APR, the absence of an annual fee makes it cost-effective. Be mindful of the regular APR range of 17.24% to 28.24%. Although there’s no sign-up bonus, the card provides easy-to-redeem travel rewards for the budget-conscious traveller.

Pros:

• Earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all purchases.
• No annual fee.

Cons:

• Miles are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel through Discover, so the rewards rate is essentially 1.5% cash back.
• Regular APR of 17.24% to 28.24% variable.

Apply now: Discover it Miles

Summary of the best Discover credit cards

How to compare Discover credit cards

When considering different Discover credit cards to add to your wallet, it’s important to take your own personal preferences into account. Look at factors such as the APR rate the card offers, including whether or not an introductory rate is available. Additionally, consider the rewards that the credit card offers balanced against those costs to see if it makes the card affordable for your wallet. Above all, though, evaluate your current spending habits and see which Discover credit card most aligns with those habits.

How to pick the best Discover credit card

Once you have actually decided on a couple of Discover credit cards that you think are perfect for your wallet, it’s time to actually pick one to apply for. When going about this process, there will be two primary considerations to keep in mind: your current credit score and the rewards offered by the different cards (specifically how those rewards would apply to you).

Credit score required to get Discover credit card

The credit score that is required to get your application for a Discover credit card approved will vary from card-to-card but aim to have a score of at least 600 when applying. Anything lower will likely require the card to be secured. Keep in mind, though, that the higher your credit score, the more favourable your interest rate is likely to be.

Learn more: Credit Score Needed for Discover Credit Cards

How to make the most out of Discover credit card

The last thing anyone needs is to add a new Discover credit card into their wallet only to realize that they are missing out on all the rewards options. This is especially frustrating if there is an annual fee associated with the card as well. To make the most out of your Discover credit card, research each and every reward that is offered by the card, then target your spending to those specific categories.

Should your card have an annual fee associated with it, calculate exactly how many points you would need to earn in a year in order to break-even. This value should be your benchmark for spend on that card in a given year.

Methodology

The methodology used to compile this list of the best Discover credit cards involved evaluating the following factors:

• Annual fee: Whether or not the Discover card in question had an annual fee was one of the most important factors considered when compiling this list. An annual fee on a card means that a cardholder needs to spend a certain amount per year to break-even on this cost.

• Rewards categories: The specific categories where rewards were offered was another major factor taken into account when looking at the best Discover credit cards. After all, if the major reward categories offered by a card are in spend categories which no one uses, then they are essentially useless.

• Sign-up bonus: A sign-up bonus can make or break a credit card offering as it can potentially provide a person with enough in rewards to break-even on the card’s cost right away. Even if you don’t break even on this amount, you’re earning free money for just putting your everyday expenses on the card.

• Introductory offers: For those looking to transfer a balance to a new Discover credit card or for those who simply have a large expense looming, whether or not there was an introductory APR offer was another factor taken into account. Having such an offer in place would allow a person to pay off this amount without worries of incurring interest.

• Required credit score: Finally, the credit score that is required in order to have a strong chance of approval for the credit card was taken into account.

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