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Best Discover Credit Cards in 2024

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Discover it^® Cash Back

The Discover it^® Cash Back lets you earn one of the highest cash back rates currently available on popular spending categories that rotate quarterly. New cardholders will also receive an Unlimited Cashback Match bonus their first year, as well as an interest-free period — all for a $0 annual fee.

Find your perfect card in 30 seconds. Check your approval odds so you can shop smarter.

Whether you’re a student seeking out your first credit card to build credit, or you’re gearing up for some travel and want a credit card that offers travel rewards, there’s likely something in the “Discover it” family for your wallet.

Discover cards come with no annual fees, easy-to-use rewards programs and sign-up bonuses that match all of the cash back you earn during your first year of card membership. And if you need to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance, each card also has an intro APR on purchases and/or balance transfers — often as low as 0%.

We’ll highlight the pros and cons of each Discover card below to help you determine which is the best fit for you.

Best Discover Credit Cards of 2024

Best Discover credit card

Discover it^® Cash Back

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Building credit

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

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Travel

Discover it^® Miles

Learn More
Gas and dining

Discover it^® Chrome

Learn More
Cash back card for students

Discover it^® Student Cash Back

Learn More
Gas and dining card for students

Discover it^® Student Chrome

Learn More

Best Discover credit card

Discover it^® Cash Back*

LendingTree's Review

4.4

LendingTree's Review

4.4

Learn More

Double your cash back in the first year

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.

High cash back rate in popular spending categories
$0 annual fee
Unlimited Cashback Match in first year for new cardholders
No late fee the first time you pay late

Quarterly cap on rotating categories
Must activate bonus categories each quarter
Low rate of cash back on general purchases
Balance transfer fee

With the Discover it^® Cash Back, you’ll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

If you don’t mind dealing with rotating bonus categories, the Discover it^® Cash Back offers the opportunity to earn a generous amount of cash back. If you max out the $1,500 spending cap each quarter, you’ll earn $300 back in a year. Once you factor in the Cashback Match sign-up bonus, that amount jumps to $600 during the first year of card membership.

This card also offers intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers for more than a year, which is good if you need time to pay off a big purchase or do a balance transferred from another card.

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.
Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
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 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
Terms and conditions apply.

*The information related to the Discover it^® Cash Back has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Building credit

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Discover it<sup>®</sup> Secured Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.2

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No credit score required to apply

Discover accepts applicants with limited / poor credit.

$0 annual fee
Qualify with limited / poor credit
Cash back rewards on every purchase
Opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card starting at 7 months
Intro APR on balance transfers

Requires a security deposit
No intro APR on purchases

If you’re new to credit or you’ve made some credit mistakes in the past and need to rebuild your credit profile, the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card can help you build or establish your credit with responsible card usage.

There’s a $0 annual fee, but you will be required to submit a security deposit (ranging from $200 to $2,500) that will serve as your line of credit. After seven months, Discover will begin conducting monthly account reviews to see if you’re eligible to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit refunded.

No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
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.
Raise your credit score by 30+ points.
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.

*The information related to the Discover it^® Secured Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Travel

Discover it^® Miles*

LendingTree's Review

4.3

LendingTree's Review

4.3

Learn More

A simple travel rewards card that earns miles with every purchase

Earn 1.5 Miles per dollar on all purchases.

Flat rewards rate on every purchase
$0 annual fee
No foreign transaction fee
Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match in first year for new cardholders

No travel benefits
Low earning rate compared to similar cards

The Discover it^® Miles lets you earn a flat cash back rate on every purchase, which can be used to help offset the cost of future travel. You’ll get 1.5 Miles per dollar on all purchases. Plus, new cardholders receive an Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match bonus at the end of their first year.

And while this card doesn’t allow you to transfer miles to travel partners, you can redeem your miles as cash back via an electronic deposit or for travel.

It’s a solid starter travel credit card, since it comes with a simple rewards structure, a $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and an intro APR on purchases for more than a year.

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 18.74% - 27.74% 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.

*The information related to the Discover it^® Miles has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Gas and dining out

Discover it^® Chrome*

LendingTree's Review

4.1

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Learn More

Earn up to 2% cash back on gas and dining

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

Rewards on dining and gas purchases
$0 annual fee
Unlimited Cashback Match in first year for new cardholders
Long intro APR on balance transfers

Quarterly cap on bonus categories
Low cash back rate on general purchases
Balance transfer fee

The Discover it^® Chrome is ideal if you spend a substantial amount on gas and dining each month, as it lets you earn an accelerated cash back rate at gas stations and restaurants. If you max out the $1,000 spending cap each quarter on gas station and restaurant purchases, you’ll earn $80 cash back on those purchases at the end of the year. Once you factor in the Cashback Match bonus for new cardholders, that amount jumps to $160.

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 18.74% to 27.74% 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.

*The information related to the Discover it^® Chrome has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Rotating rewards categories for students

Discover it^® Student Cash Back*

LendingTree's Review

4.9

Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Cash Back

LendingTree's Review

4.9

Learn More

Get up to 5% cashback on rotating categories

Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically

$0 annual fee
Qualify with limited / fair credit
High cash back rate on rotating categories
Unlimited Cashback Match in first year for new cardholders
Choose your card design

Cap on quarterly bonus earning
Must activate bonus categories each quarter
Low cash back rate on general purchases

If you’re in college, this student credit card offers a great opportunity to earn a high cash back rate in popular spending categories. Its intro APR can be helpful for larger purchases or an emergency. And with no credit score required to apply for the Discover it^® Student Cash Back, you can start building credit while also earning rewards on your everyday purchases.

You’ll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. A first-year cash back match for new cardholders further sweetens this offer.

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.
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 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
Terms and conditions apply.

*The information related to the Discover it^® Student Cash Back has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Gas and dining rewards for students

Discover it^® Student Chrome*

LendingTree's Review

4.2

LendingTree's Review

4.2

Learn More

Elevated rewards at gas stations and restaurants.

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

$0 annual fee
Can qualify with limited / fair credit
Rewards on every purchase
Unlimited Cashback Match in first year for new cardholders
Choose your card design

Short intro APR on purchases
No interest-free period on balance transfers

If you’re a college student, this card provides a great opportunity to earn elevated rewards on gas and restaurant purchases. The Discover it^® Student Chrome lets you earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

It also offers a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases, then a 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR after that time, as well as a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers, followed by a 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR. Plus, like other Discover cards, it offers a generous sign-up bonus.

This card is good for financing college necessities like a new computer or apartment necessities — at the same time, other cards do offer longer intro periods, so keep that in mind if this is a feature that appeals to you.

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 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.
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 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
Terms and conditions apply.

*The information related to the Discover it^® Student Chrome has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Side-by-side comparison of the best Discover credit cards

Credit Cards	Our Ratings	Welcome Offer	Rewards Rate	Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion
Discover it^® Cash Back* Learn More	4.4 Winner	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.	5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically	Good / Excellent	Learn More
Discover it^® Secured Credit Card* Learn More	4.2 Building credit	Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.	2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically	Limited / Poor	Learn More
Discover it^® Miles* Learn More	4.3 Travel	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.	1.5 Miles per dollar on all purchases.	Good / Excellent	Learn More
Discover it^® Chrome* Learn More	4.1 Gas and dining out	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.	2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically	Good / Excellent	Learn More
Discover it^® Student Cash Back* Learn More	4.9 Rotating rewards categories for students	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 at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically	Limited / Fair	Learn More
Discover it^® Student Chrome* Learn More	4.2 Gas and dining rewards for students	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.	2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically	Limited / Fair	Learn More

*The information for the Discover it^® Cash Back, Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, Discover it^® Miles, Discover it^® Chrome, Discover it^® Student Cash Back and Discover it^® Student Chrome has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms Apply.

Are Discover cards good?

Discover is a good credit card brand, offering a variety of credit cards for a range of credit scores. Their customer service and solid credit card offerings make Discover credit cards a favorite. In fact, in a recent credit card satisfaction survey conducted by J.D. Power, Discover ranked #2 among national credit card issuers. They have 24/7 U.S.-based customer service, and if you lose your card, you can get a new card with free overnight shipping.

Each Discover card comes with a $0 annual fee and a popular new-member sign-up bonus that matches all of the cash back you earn in your first year of card membership.

But while Discover credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, they aren’t accepted in every country. To see where you can use your Discover card, check out the Discover international credit card acceptance page.

Are Discover cards accepted everywhere?
Discover credit cards are accepted at 99% of establishments that accept credit cards.

Pros and cons of Discover credit cards

Cards for every credit level
No annual fees
Rewards on every purchase
Unlimited Cashback Match in first year
No foreign transaction fees
Intro APRs on purchases and/or balance transfers
Free FICO Score
Good customer service rating

Cap on earning bonus rewards
Not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard
Low rewards rates on general purchases
Some offer interest-free periods for just six months
Charge balance transfer fees

What are the 5% cash back categories for Discover?

Some Discover credit cards — including the Discover it^® Cash Back and the Discover it^® Student Cash Back — allow you to enroll in quarterly categories to earn bonus cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter. Discover announces the upcoming categories before the start of each quarter. Here are this year’s categories:

Discover cash back calendar

January-March	April-June	July-September	October-December
Restaurants and drugstores	Gas stations and EV charging stations, home improvement stores and public transit	Walmart and grocery stores	Amazon.com and Target

How to choose a Discover credit card

When deciding which Discover credit card (or any credit card) is right for you, ask yourself these questions:

Which card can I qualify for?

Those with bad or limited credit should opt for a secured card, whereas someone with good / excellent credit may qualify for the Discover it^® Cash Back. The latter card offers a higher rewards rate and long intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers.
Is the card designed for a specific consumer?

Depending on how you plan to use the card, some choices will naturally be eliminated. For example, if you’re not a student or don’t care about earning miles, a student or travel card wouldn’t be a good fit. Or, if you have high-interest credit card debt that’s that you’re struggling to pay down, the balance transfer card would be your best option.
How much are the fees, if any?

Fees fall into two categories: ones you have to pay (like annual fees) and those that you
may be able to avoid (such as a late fee).

Discover cards don’t charge annual fees or foreign transaction fees, but you’ll want to consider the potential cost of:
- Late fees
- Over-the-limit fees
- Balance transfer fees
To avoid late fees and over-the-limit fees, set up automatic bill payments and stay well below your credit limit.
What rewards are offered?

If you spend a significant amount each month on specific purchases, like groceries or gas, you should look at a card that offers an elevated rewards rate on those purchases, such as the Discover it^® Chrome.

On the other hand, if your spending tends to fluctuate, or if you don’t want to keep track of rotating categories or spending caps, a flat-rate cash back credit card may be a better choice.
Is there an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers?

If you need to make a large purchase and pay it off over time, a credit card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for at least a year is ideal. Or, if you need to transfer high-interest debt from an existing credit card, you’ll want to consider a card that offers a long interest-free period on balance transfers.

Frequently asked questions

No, Discover credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

You can close your Discover credit card account by calling the number on the back of your card and informing the customer service department that you want to cancel the account. Note, you’ll still be responsible for paying any outstanding balance, and any unused rewards may be voided when you close the account.

That said, you should avoid closing credit card accounts whenever possible, since the length of your credit history is the third most important factor impacting your credit score.

Discover offers a variety of credit cards for people with all levels of credit — ranging from those with bad credit or no credit history to those with excellent credit scores.

You can get a Discover credit card by successfully applying online or calling 800-DISCOVER.

To transfer your existing credit card balance to a Discover credit card, you must request a balance transfer from Discover. For new cards, this can be requested during the application process. If you have an existing Discover card, you can request a transfer by logging in to your online account or calling the number on the back of your card.

Methodology: How we chose the best Discover credit cards

To select the best Discover credit cards, our credit card experts compared the top credit cards offered on Discover’s site and LendingTree.com.

Factors that played into our choices included weighing the value of any ongoing rewards programs and any fees associated with the cards, as well as selecting the best card for your needs.

While Discover only offers a handful of credit cards compared to other issuers, you might find that their lack of annual fees could make them a great addition to your wallet. However, if you’re looking to score a lot of travel points for airfare or hotels, know that there are other cards that may help you do that, though they’ll typically charge an annual fee.

The information related to the Discover it^® Cash Back, Discover it^® Secured Credit Card, Discover it^® Miles, Discover it^® Chrome, Discover it^® Student Cash Back, Discover it^® Student Chrome and Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.

Charlotte Zhang

Charlotte Zhang is a credit cards writer at LendingTree, where she explains credit cards and other personal finance topics in simple terms to help readers with financial decisions.

Charlotte believes learning about personal finance is a vital skill to prepare people for different financial scenarios in life.

Prior to joining LendingTree in 2023, she spent more than a decade contributing to personal finance and insurance websites, as well as parenting, education and travel websites and magazines. Before writing professionally, she taught English in China for over a decade.

Outside of work, she enjoys knitting, spending time with her husband and two kids and leading 4-H activities for community youth.

Specialties

Credit card reviews
Credit scores and building credit
Budgeting
Life insurance

Achievements

14+ years of personal finance writing experience
60+ articles written for LendingTree
Writing has also been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, The Penny Hoarder, Money Under 30 and The Simple Dollar

Education

Bachelor of Science, Martin Luther College

Charlotte’s favorite credit cards

“I love the simplicity of cash back credit cards. I use the Discover it^® Cash Back for its rotating categories and Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card to get 2% back on everything else.”

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