How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
The Discover it® Student Chrome is a good credit card for students — especially those commuting to campus or dining out frequently — who are just beginning their credit journeys. The card also offers great credit-building benefits, like free access to your FICO® credit score — and all for a $0 annual fee. Plus, you won’t pay interest on purchases during the promotional period.
Still, while this card does offer decent value to students looking for a starter credit card, there are other student cards that can offer even more value when it comes to rewards. For example, the Discover it® Student Cash Back offers the chance to 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. That’s an additional $300 a year in cash back rewards if you hit the quarterly max.
The average cardholder will pay $0 in annual fees and will earn around $90 in cash back in the first year.
| Estimated spending | Cash back earned | |
|---|---|---|
| 2% on restaurants | $545 | $10.90 |
| 2% on gas | $387 | $7.74 |
| 1% on other purchases | $2,668 | $26.68 |
| Cash back match | – | $45.32 |
| Total | $90.64 |
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
Looking for a more rewarding student credit card? See our list of best student credit cards.
Elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants
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. If you max out the $1,000 spend cap each quarter, you can earn $20 cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases. Cash back can be redeemed for cash, gift cards or Amazon.com and Paypal purchases, or donated to a charitable cause.
These are excellent rewards for a starter credit card. But, as you can see from our estimates below, there are several cards that have higher earning potential, including the Discover it® Student Cash Back.
Unlimited cash back match for new cardholders
The Discover it® Student Chrome offers a unique sign-up bonus: 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.
This is an excellent sign-up bonus for a beginner credit card (many of which don’t have any sign-up bonus), especially if you max out the quarterly maximum your first year. However, you can find better offers here and there. For example, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Intro purchase APR
If you need to finance a large purchase, such as a laptop or textbooks, you can do so interest free for half a year with the Discover it® Student Chrome. The card offers a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. After that, an ongoing 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR applies. However, you won’t find an intro APR for balance transfers.
This is a decent intro APR for a student credit card. But if you have good / excellent credit, there are a few cards that offer longer intro APRs. For example, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students has:
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students and Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students have similar offers.
Good credit building card
Unlike some other student cards, the Discover it® Student Chrome card is available if you have a lower credit score or haven’t established credit yet. Plus, it’s loaded with features to help you build a strong credit history:
Quarterly maximum on higher rewards rate
With the Discover it® Student Chrome, you can only earn the elevated cash back rate on gas station and restaurant purchases on the first $1,000 each quarter. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
If you plan to spend more than $1,000 each quarter, there are cards that offer elevated rewards without a quarterly maximum. For example, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a high rewards rate in several categories with no cap on how much you can earn at that rate. And if you don’t spend heavily on gas and restaurants, a card that earns the same on every purchase — like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card — may be a better fit.
No 0% intro APR on balance transfers
If you need to transfer a balance from a higher-interest credit card, you won’t be able to do so interest free with the Discover it® Student Chrome. That said, the card does offer a slightly lower introductory APR on balance transfers: 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months, then an ongoing 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR applies.
If you’re planning to do a balance transfer, a card with a 0% intro APR for balance transfers can give you a longer period of time to pay off your balance interest free. The BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students offers a long 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then a 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Discover it® Student Chrome*
|
$0 | 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 | ||
|
Discover it® Student Cash Back*
|
$0 | 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 | ||
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
 Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
N/A | $0 | Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months | 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 1% Cash Back on all other purchases |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students*
|
$0 | $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | 3% cash back in the category of your choice. 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases. 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers the same cash back match offer in your first-year of card ownership as the Discover it® Student Chrome card. You’ll also get a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. Then, a 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR applies.
Compare what you can save the first year of owning each card
Discover it® Student Chrome: $90.64*
Discover it® Student Cash Back: $118.96*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
You’ll earn 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
If the categories align with your spending habits, this card can offer more value than the Discover it® Student Chrome.
Compare what you can save the first year of owning each card
Discover it® Student Chrome: $90.64*
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: $128.69*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
This card is a better choice if you’re looking to finance a large purchase or do a balance transfer, as you’ll get a 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days. Then, 18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR. This can provide more savings on interest compared to the Discover it® Student Chrome card.
However, you’ll need good/excellent to qualify for this card. If you’re still in the early stages of establishing credit, you may be better off with the Discover it® Student Chrome card, since it doesn’t require a credit score to apply.
Compare what you can save the first year of owning each card
Discover it® Student Chrome: $90.64*
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students: $256.37*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
If you spend a lot on dining and gas, the Discover it® Student Chrome card can provide an opportunity to earn a generous amount of rewards. Plus, you’ll get a cash back match at the end of your first year, doubling your earnings. This card is also a good option for building credit, as it reports your account activity to the three major credit bureaus.
But, if you’re looking to earn more cash back, there are cards like the Discover it® Student Cash Back card and Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card that offer a higher rate. Or, if you’re hoping to use your card to finance a large purchase or do a balance transfer, a card with an interest-free period like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students might be better.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Discover it® Student Chrome, Discover it® Student Cash Back, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students and BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students 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.
