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How to activate a Discover credit card

Put your card to immediate spending with three fast options.

Kliment Dukovski
Kliment Dukovski

Updated

Fact checked

After you’ve ripped open the envelope of your new Discover card, you must activate it before you can start using it. Discover offers three ways to activate your card in minutes — by phone, online or through the Discover mobile app.

How to activate your Discover card online

Unlike many issuers, Discover credit cards allow you to activate your card without enrolling in online banking:

  1. Visit https://card.discover.com/cardmembersvcs/acctxfer/app/Home.
  2. Log in if you have an account, or continue the process without logging in.
  3. Complete the form with the last four digits of your Social Security number, your date of birth and your card information.

How to activate your Discover card by phone

Pick up the phone for fast activation in two steps:

  1. Call 800-347-2683.
  2. Follow the prompts and provide the required information, including your card number, expiry date and Social Security number.

How to activate your Discover card with a mobile app

Get to spending with fast activation through the Discover mobile app:

  1. Download Discover Mobile for iOS or Android.
  2. Locate your new card under your accounts.
  3. Provide the requested information.

Compare Discover credit cards

After you’ve activated your card and integrated it into your spending, you may want a higher credit line or perks that your current card is missing.

Pairing cards is an excellent way to maximize credit card rewards and your ideal second card can be another Discover card or even a card from a different issuer.

Look into additional brands and providers to learn the perks you can get with a new credit card.

Name Product Filter values Rewards Purchase APR Annual fee
Discover it® Cash Back
Discover it® Cash Back
5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter, then 1% after that and on all other purchases
0% intro for the first 14 months (then 11.99% to 22.99% variable)
$0
View details
Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories every quarter you activate, then 1% thereafter. Earn 1% back on all other purchases.
Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card
Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card
1.5x miles on all purchases
0% intro for the first 14 months (then 11.99% to 22.99% variable)
$0
View details
Earn unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases - from airfare and hotels to groceries and online shopping.
Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card
Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card
2% back on gas and dining up to $1,000 combined quarterly, then 1% after that and on all other purchases
0% intro for the first 14 months (then 11.99% to 22.99% variable)
$0
View details
Earn 2% cash back on gas and dining on your first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that earn 1% in these categories and on all other purchases.
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Compare up to 4 providers

Bottom line

You have three ways to activate your Discover credit card — by phone, online or through the Discover mobile app. If you decide to pick up a second card down the line, remember that activating a credit card will prove similar across issuers. Take a look at all of your card options to find a great complement to your Discover card’s strengths.

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