Discover credit cards: Which one is best for you?

The best Discover credit cards

The best Discover credit card is the one that best fulfills your financial need for the lowest cost. The credit card experts at Finder compared all Discover credit cards against one another based on several features, including cashback opportunities, travel perks, credit requirements and APR. We ranked the Discover credit cards that performed best in a given category on our list of best picks.

Best for rotating cash back

Discover it® Cash Back

Finder Rating: 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★

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If you can keep track of rotating reward categories, you could earn great cash back from the Discover it® Cash Back Card. You’ll also like the card’s intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Rewards. Great cash back in rotating categories. Earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 you spend on purchases each quarter in eligible rotating categories, such as at gas stations, restaurants, Amazon.com, grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 1% cash back after you've hit the spending cap each quarter, and on all other purchases.
  • Intro APR. 0% for 15 months following your account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, your purchase and balance transfer APR will be between 16.49% to 27.49% variable. This is an above-average intro APR when compared to its competitors.
  • Cashback match. Discover will match all the cash back you have earned at the end of your first year.

  Cons

  • Balance transfer limitations. You must complete your balance transfers until a specific date to use the 0% intro APR period.
  • Cashback categories. You don't know what the 5% cashback categories will be until the start of each year.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.49% to 27.49% variable)
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.49% to 27.49% variable) Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by August 10, 2022 with the 0% intro APR balance transfer offer described above. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.
  Welcome Offer	Discover will match cash back earned at the end of your first card year
  Rewards	Up to 5% cash back

Welcome Offer	Other
Rewards	Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	670

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Best for travel

Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card

Finder Rating: 3.7 / 5★★★★★

The Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card is a good travel pick if you don’t want to pay an annual fee. You’ll earn 1.5x miles on everything you buy, which makes the card similar to the solid Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Rewards. A flat rate for all purchases. Earn 1.5x miles on everything you buy. Redeem miles for statement credit.
  • Intro APR. 0% for 15 months following your account opening on purchases. After that, your purchase APR will be 16.49% to 27.49% variable. This is an above-average intro APR when compared to its competitors.
  • Mile match. Discover will match all the miles you have earned at the end of your first year.

  Cons

  • No 0% APR on balance transfers. You only get 0% intro APR on purchases, but not on balance transfers.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.49% to 27.49% variable)
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.49% to 27.49% variable)
  Welcome Offer	Discover will match miles earned at the end of your first card year
  Rewards	Up to 1.5x miles

Welcome Offer	Other
Rewards	Up to 1.5x miles
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	670

Best secured card

Discover it® Secured

Finder Rating: 4.4 / 5★★★★★

Expect a better secured card by Discover with cash back on all purchases — rare for this kind of card. If you spend and are responsible in making payments, you could also get your security deposit back as soon as eight months.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Signup bonus. At the end of your first year, Discover will match all of the cash back you’ve earned without any limits.
  • Cash back. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that, and on all other purchases, earn 1% cash back.
  • Credit reporting to the three major bureaus. Discover will report your payment history to the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. With consistent on-time payments, you’ll build your credit score.
  • Possible security deposit return after eight months. After eight months, Discover will review your account every month. If they deem you’ve been a responsible cardholder, they may return your security deposit while you continue using your card. This effectively turns your secured card into an unsecured card.

  Cons

  • It hurts to pay late. Your first late fee is waived, but making subsequent late or returned payments could result in fees as high as $41.
  • Time limit for balance transfers. If you want to take advantage of the intro balance transfer APR, your transfers must post to your account within the first months.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	27.49% variable
  Balance transfer APR	10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 27.49% variable) Balance transfer fee of 3%
  Welcome Offer	Discover will match cash back earned at the end of your first card year
  Rewards	Up to 2% cash back

Welcome Offer	Other
Rewards	Up to 2% cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	300

Best student card

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5★★★★★

The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a great student cards because you get to earn generous rewards on your purchases just like you would with the nonstudent card. Discover's other student card, the Student Chrome, is also solid, though less flexible than this card.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter you activate them, on up to $1,500 in combined purchases. After reaching the cap and on all other purchases, you earn 1% cash back.
  • Cashback match. This is Discover's version of a welcome offer where Discover matches all the cash back you earned during your first year of card membership without limits. This means if you earn $500 in cash back during your first year, Discover will award you an additional $500.
  • Good grades reward. Every school year you earn a 3.0 GPA or higher, Discover will reward you with a $20 statement credit for up to five years.

  Cons

  • Balance transfer fees. You’ll pay a 5% fee for each balance transfer.
  
  

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro for the first 6 months (then 17.49% to 26.49% variable)
  Balance transfer APR	10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 17.49% to 26.49% variable) Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by September 10, 2022 with the 10,99% intro APR balance transfer offer described above. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.
  Welcome Offer	Discover will match cash back at the end of your first card year
  Rewards	Up to 5% cash back

Welcome Offer	Other
Rewards	Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	580

Best for gas and dining

Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card

This card offers a solid 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. Keep in mind this rate applies only to the first $1,000 in qualifying purchases each quarter, after which you’ll earn 1%. If you don't spend often in these categories, the Discover it Cash Back might prove a better choice.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Rewards: Solid for gas and dining. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that, you will earn 1%. You will also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening. After that, the APR will be 16.24% to 27.24% variable.
  • Cashback match. At the end of your first card year, Discover will match all the cash back you have earned.

  Cons

  • Balance transfer limitations. You must complete your transfers until a certain date to use the 0% intro APR period.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.24% to 27.24% variable)
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 16.24% to 27.24% variable) Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by August 10, 2022 with the 0% intro APR balance transfer offer described above. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.
  Welcome Offer	Discover will match cash back earned at the end of your first card year
  Rewards	Up to 2% cash back

Welcome Offer	Other
Rewards	Up to 2% cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	670

How to apply for a Discover card

Visit the Discover site and choose Apply now on the credit card page. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the required information on hand. You need to be at least 18 years old and provide your name and residential address, Social Security Number, date of birth, email address, phone number and financial information.

Application restrictions

There’s an unwritten rule that says any additional Discover applications made beyond the first in one year will likely be denied. However, some readers report that they were approved for a second card before one year was up, so your mileage may vary.

How many Discover cards can I have?

You’re allowed a maximum of two Discover credit cards at one time.

Standout benefits of a Discover card

• No annual fee on any card. All Discover cards have no annual fee.
• Cash back. Almost every Discover card offers cash back. The exception is the provider’s travel card, which offers miles.
• Rewards match. In lieu of traditional signup bonuses, Discover offers a cashback or mile match at the end of your first card year.
• First late-payment fee waived. After your first late payment, you’ll be charged up to $40 per late payment.

Discover rewards program

Almost all Discover cards offer cash back. For the provider’s travel card, you’ll earn miles.

If you earn cash back, redeem it for rewards that include:

• Gift cards.
• Instant eCertificates.
• Charitable donations.
• Statement credits.
• Electronic deposits into an account of your choice.
• Pay with Cashback Bonus at eligible merchants.

Redeem miles for electronic deposits into your bank account or for travel statement credits.

Alternatives to Discover credit cards

While Discover has a great selection of credit cards, it lacks in some areas, such as travel and rewards. Other great alternatives include American Express credit cards, Chase cards or Citi cards.

You’ll find some great cards to help fill in the gaps that Discover lacks. Or if you’re not sure if Discover products are right for you, compare credit cards from other providers.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report fraud to Discover?
Call a Discover representative at 866-240-7938 to report a suspicious or unauthorized transaction.

Where is Discover accepted?
Discover cards are accepted at most US locations with a few exceptions. However, you may have some trouble using this card abroad.