Discover It Card Comparison: Which Is Best for You

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If you're considering a Discover it card, you're likely looking for a rewards program that's easy to understand and use. The Discover it Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.

The Discover it Chrome card is a great option for students, offering 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants and 1% cash back on all other purchases. It also comes with a free FICO credit score.

The Discover it Balance Transfer card is ideal for those looking to transfer high-interest debt to a lower-interest card, with 0% intro APR for 18 months. This can save you money on interest charges and help you pay off your debt faster.

Ultimately, the best Discover it card for you will depend on your individual financial needs and goals.

What to Know

If you're considering applying for a Discover it card, here are some key things to know: the Discover it Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.

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The Discover it Chrome card, on the other hand, offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card is designed for students, offering 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.

All three cards have no annual fee and offer free FICO credit scores to cardholders.

Types of Discover It Cards

Discover It cards offer a range of options to suit different needs. Credit card companies typically offer three common ways for consumers to earn rewards, each with its pros and cons.

You can earn cash back, miles, or points with a Discover It card. Many retailers offer their own store-related rewards credit cards, too.

Here are some of the best Discover It cards to consider:

Fixed-Rate

Fixed-Rate cards can be a great option if you don't want to spend much time managing your rewards program.

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They offer a simple and easy-to-use rewards structure, where you earn the same rewards rate on all purchases.

For example, with the Discover it Miles card, you earn 1.5x Miles on every purchase.

This means you can earn rewards on all your daily expenses, from groceries to gas, without having to think about bonus categories or rotating rewards.

However, keep in mind that you might not earn as many rewards as you could with cards that have bonus rewards categories.

Overall, Fixed-Rate cards are a good choice for those who value simplicity and ease of use.

Tiered

Tiered rewards cards offer different rewards rates depending on where you use the card. They often provide bonus rewards on select purchases and lower fixed-rate rewards on other purchases.

The Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card is a great example of a tiered-rewards card. You earn 2% Cashback Bonus 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.

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Tiered rewards cards can offer more potential rewards if the bonus categories align with your usual spending habits. This means you can maximize your rewards if you frequently spend at gas stations and restaurants.

For instance, if you regularly fill up at the pump and dine out, using the Discover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card might be a good choice. You'll earn 2% cash back on those purchases, which can add up quickly.

However, if the bonus categories don't match your spending habits, you might be better off with a fixed-rate card. Some people choose to open several rewards cards to maximize the different perks they offer.

Post-Grad Match

If you're a recent grad, you'll love the Post-Grad Match feature of the Discover it Card with Cashback Match. This means you'll get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically.

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The cash back match has no limit, so you can earn as much as you want and Discover will match it. This is a great way to boost your rewards earnings and make the most of your card.

In fact, Discover will match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, giving you a significant return on your spending.

Earning and Redeeming

You'll usually only earn rewards on eligible purchases made with your credit card, excluding interest charges and certain types of transactions like balance transfers and cash advances.

Earning rewards with the Discover it Cash Back card is a great option, as it offers a bonus on rotating categories, allowing you to earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

The key difference between the Discover it Cash Back and the Discover it Chrome is the amount of cash back they offer. Here's a comparison of their earning rates:

To redeem your rewards, review the card's terms and program rules, as some cards require you to accumulate a minimum rewards balance before redeeming.

Earning

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Earning cash back rewards is a great way to get something back from your purchases, but it's not always straightforward. The Discover it Cash Back card offers 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, while the Discover it Chrome card offers 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

To maximize your earnings, you'll want to take advantage of the rotating categories on the Discover it Cash Back card. If you can max out the $1,500 spend cap each quarter, you'll earn a significant amount of cash back - up to $300 in a year.

The Discover it Chrome card has a more limited earning potential, with a $1,000 spend cap on gas station and restaurant purchases each quarter. You'll earn 2% cash back on these purchases, but only up to the quarterly maximum. This means you'll earn $80 in annual cash back if you max out the spend cap.

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To give you a better idea of the earning potential of these cards, here are some key details:

The key takeaway is that the Discover it Cash Back card offers a higher earning rate, but you'll need to actively choose the bonus categories each quarter to maximize your earnings.

Redeeming

Redeeming credit card rewards can be a great way to get value from your hard-earned points. You should review the card's terms and program rules to learn about redeeming rewards.

Some credit cards require you to accumulate a minimum rewards balance before redeeming. Discover credit cards, however, let you redeem rewards for cash in any amount to pay your bill.

Finding good travel redemption options can be complex, particularly with travel cards that offer points in the issuer's program.

Fees and Interest

Rewards cards often have a higher annual percentage rate (APR) than non-rewards cards, so consider a non-rewards card if you don't plan on paying your balance in full each month.

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The interest may cost you more than you can earn in rewards.

Some rewards cards offer an intro 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers, which can be a good way to pay off a large purchase over time or transfer and pay down debt without accruing interest.

The Discover it Cash Back and Discover it Chrome both offer 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, but for different durations.

Annual Fee

Annual fees can be a significant cost, with some rewards cards having an annual fee of over $500 per year.

Discover is a notable exception, as they don't charge any annual fees on their cards.

Cards with fees may offer higher rewards rates or other benefits, but it's essential to consider whether you'll earn enough rewards to make up for the fee.

It's crucial to weigh the costs and benefits of a card with a fee against one without, to ensure it aligns with your spending habits and financial goals.

Foreign Transaction Fee

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If you plan on using your credit card outside the United States or for making online purchases in a foreign currency, look for a card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.

Discover has no foreign transaction fee, which means you can shop abroad or online without worrying about extra charges.

Some credit cards may charge a fee for international transactions, so it's essential to check your card's terms before making any foreign purchases.

Interest Rate

Rewards cards often have higher annual percentage rates (APRs) than non-rewards cards. This means you'll pay more in interest if you don't pay your balance in full each month.

Consider a non-rewards card if you're not planning to pay off your balance in full. The interest may cost you more than you can earn in rewards.

The Discover it Cash Back has a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR. This is a great option for financing a large purchase.

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The Discover it Chrome has a slightly shorter intro APR period on purchases, but a longer interest-free period on balance transfers. It offers 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.

Here are some key APR details to keep in mind:

Promotions and Bonuses

Some Discover it cards offer promotional interest rate offers, which can be a good way to pay off a large purchase over time or transfer and pay down debt without accruing interest.

The Discover it Cash Back card doesn't offer a traditional sign-up bonus, but it does offer an unlimited cash back match at the end of your first year for new cardholders. This can help you earn more rewards, like turning $150 cash back into $300.

Sign-up Bonus

The sign-up bonus is a great way to kickstart your rewards earnings. Neither the Discover it Cash Back card nor the Discover it Chrome card offers a traditional sign-up bonus, where you earn a lump sum of rewards after spending a certain amount in the first three months.

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Instead, both cards offer an unlimited cash back match at the end of your first year for new cardholders. This means that if you earn $150 in cash back, you can turn it into $300.

You can earn even more with the Discover it Cash Back card. If you maximize the bonus categories, you could earn $600 back at the end of the first year. The Discover it Chrome card also offers a bonus, but it's a bit smaller at $160 back from bonus purchases.

Promotional Rates

Promotional rates can be a game-changer for your wallet. Some rewards cards offer an intro 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers.

This means you can pay off a large purchase over time without incurring interest. Just make sure to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, or you'll be charged the regular APR.

Consider using a rewards card with a 0% APR offer for a big purchase, like a new laptop or a home renovation. This can save you a significant amount of money in interest charges.

However, keep in mind that rewards cards may have a higher APR than non-rewards cards. If you don't plan on paying your balance in full each month, a non-rewards card might be a better choice to avoid paying more in interest than you earn in rewards.

Security and Features

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The Discover it Cash Back Card has robust security features to safeguard your account and personal data. The card comes equipped with features to monitor your account for theft and fraud. Discover it Cash Back Card offers security features to protect your account and personal data.

Discover's security features are designed to detect and prevent unauthorized transactions. This includes monitoring your account for suspicious activity. The card's security features work behind the scenes to keep your information safe.

Overall, the Discover it Cash Back Card prioritizes security and offers advanced features to protect your account and personal data.

Security Features

Protecting your account and personal data is vital, which is why many credit cards offer security features to monitor your account for theft and fraud.

Discover offers security features to monitor your account for theft and fraud.

The Discover it Cash Back Card comes with security features to protect your account and personal data.

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These security features include monitoring your account for theft and fraud.

Discover's security features are designed to give you peace of mind when using your credit card.

The Discover it Cash Back Card offers a range of security features to keep your account safe.

These security features come with your Discover it Cash Back Card.

It Secured

The Discover it Secured card is a great option for those with bad credit or college students. It's a secured credit card, which means you'll need to pay a deposit that will later become your credit limit.

The regular APR on this card is 22.99%, so be sure to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges. You can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in purchases each quarter, plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

One of the best things about this card is that you can get your security deposit back as soon as eight months if you're responsible with your payments. This is a rare perk for secured credit cards, and it's definitely a plus.

Here are the key features of the Discover it Secured card:

Specialized Cards

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The Discover it card offers some amazing specialized cards that can help you earn even more rewards and cashback. The Discover it Chrome card offers 2% cashback on gas and dining purchases, making it a great choice for people who frequently use their credit card for these types of expenses.

If you're a student, the Discover it Student Cash Back card offers 5% cashback on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. This card also comes with a $20 statement credit for each year of good grades.

The Discover it Secured card is a great option for people with poor or no credit history, offering a secured credit line with the potential to upgrade to an unsecured line of credit in the future. It also comes with free FICO credit scores and no annual fee.

The Discover it Miles card offers unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases, making it a great choice for people who want to earn rewards on all of their purchases, not just specific categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best discovery card to have?

The best Discover card depends on your individual needs, but the Discover it Cash Back offers cash back on everyday purchases, making it a great option for those seeking flexibility. If you're a student or prioritize gas rewards, consider the Discover it Student Cash Back or Discover it Chrome, respectively.

Are Discover It cards worth it?

Discover It cards are a great option for those who want to earn rewards without paying annual fees or worrying about foreign transaction fees. With no fees to hold you back, you can focus on maximizing your rewards and enjoying the benefits.

What Discover card has the highest limit?

The Discover it credit card has no disclosed maximum credit limit, but the actual limit is determined by your creditworthiness. If you have a Discover it Secured Credit Card, your limit will be lower, but still at least $500.

What is the #1 credit card to have?

The #1 credit card to have is the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, offering 2% cash rewards with no annual fee. It outperforms the average cash rewards card, which typically offers 1% back.

Maurice Pollich

Senior Writer

Maurice Pollich is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in the digital world. With a background in technology and finance, he brings a unique perspective to his writing. Maurice's expertise spans a range of topics, including cryptocurrency tokens, where he has developed a deep understanding of the underlying mechanics and market trends.

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