Best Discover Credit Cards of December 2024
Updated November 18, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Discover is a favorite pick for many consumers because all of its credit cards earn rewards without charging an annual fee. While it doesn’t offer a traditional welcome bonus, you’ll be rewarded with a Cash Back Match that doubles all of the rewards you earn during the first year.
There is a Discover credit card for every type of consumer, including cards for students and people with bad credit. You can even earn cash back while representing your favorite NHL hockey team. Learn more in our roundup of the best Discover credit cards.
Our Methodology Understanding the value of cash back is simple, but valuing airline miles or points redeemable for travel requires digging a bit deeper. At Newsweek, we’ve developed a common language to talk about the value of points and miles: our valuations.
Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.
Our Picks - Best Rotating Category Card: Discover it® Cash Back
- Best for Gas and Restaurant Spending: Discover it® Chrome
- Best for Spending Everywhere Else: Discover it® Miles
- Best for NHL Fans: NHL® Discover it® Credit Card
- Best Secured Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Best Student Card With Rotating Categories: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best Student Card for Gas and Restaurants: Discover it® Student Chrome
7 Best Discover Credit Cards of 2024
Best Rotating Category Card
Discover it® Cash Back
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much Discover will match.
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Why We Chose It
The Discover it® Cash Back offers 5% cash back on activated, rotating bonus categories each quarter (up to $1,500 in quarterly spending, then 1% back). Bonus cash back has historically been offered in useful categories like grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations.
Read our Discover it® Cash Back review.
Pros and Cons
- Rotating cash back on up to $1,500 in quarterly spending (then 1%)
- No annual fee
- First-year Cashback Match™ welcome offer
- No consumer insurance or travel insurance benefits
- Earns only 1% cash back everywhere else
- Category bonuses must be activated each quarter
Best for Gas and Restaurant Spending
Discover it® Chrome
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much Discover will match.
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Why We Chose It
The Discover it® Chrome earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%), and since Discover matches all of your cash back dollar-for-dollar in your first year, you’ll get an effective 4% cash back each quarter (up to the cap). If you spend a moderate amount on gas and dining, the Discover it® Chrome can be a great pick.
Pros and Cons
- Cashback Match™ welcome offer
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%)
- No annual fee
- No consumer insurance or travel insurance benefits
- Heightened cash back limited to $1,000 in spending each quarter
- Only 1% cash back everywhere else
Best for Spending Everywhere Else
Discover it® Miles
Discover gives you an unlimited Mile-for-Mile match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Why We Chose It
Within the Discover credit card ecosystem, most cards earn only 1% cash back on purchases outside of bonus categories. The Discover it® Miles, on the other hand, earns 1.5X miles on all purchases—which can be redeemed for cash back at a penny each.
Pros and Cons
- Earns 1.5X miles on purchases
- Miles can be redeemed as a cash back credit
- Cashback Match™ welcome offer
- No travel insurance or consumer insurance benefits
- No additional bonus categories
- No travel transfer partners
Best for NHL Fans
NHL® Discover it® Credit Card
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much Discover will match.
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Why We Chose It
Showing support for your favorite team with your credit card often means accepting lackluster rewards, but that’s not the case with the NHL® Discover it® Credit Card. This card offers the same great rewards as the Discover it® Cash Back—5% cash back on activated, rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, then 1% back).
Pros and Cons
- Heightened cash back on rotating categories
- Cashback Match™ welcome offer
- No annual fee
- No fan perks for having your team’s card
- No consumer or travel insurance benefits
- Earns only 1% cash back everywhere else
Best Secured Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much Discover will match.
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Why We Chose It
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card earns rewards and is offered with no annual fee and a deposit requirement as low as $200. Starting seven months after getting the card, Discover starts reviewing your account monthly to see if you qualify to move to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.
Pros and Cons
- No credit score required
- Monthly account reviews after seven months
- Low minimum deposit requirements
- Fewer rewards than other secured cards
- No basic consumer benefits like extended warranty
- High variable APR
Best Student Card With Rotating Categories
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much Discover will match.
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Why We Chose It
The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers the same rewards as the Discover it® Cash Back—5% back on activated, rotating bonus category purchases (up to $1,500 in quarterly spending, then 1%). As long as you’re a full-time student, you can get the Discover it® Student Cash Back with no credit score.
Read our Discover it® Student Cash Back review.
Pros and Cons
- Heightened cash back on rotating bonus categories
- No credit score required
- Cashback Match™ welcome offer
- Earns only 1% cash back on general purchases
- Category bonuses must be activated
- Available only to full-time students
Best Student Card for Gas and Restaurants
Discover it® Student Chrome
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much Discover will match.
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Why We Chose It
If you’re a full-time student, chances are you spend a fair amount of money on gas and restaurants. The Discover it® Student Chrome earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%), which makes it a great fit for many students.
Read our Discover it® Student Chrome review.
Pros and Cons
- No credit score required
- Earns cash back on common spending categories for students
- Cashback Match™ welcome offer
- No student-specific benefits
- Earns only 1% rewards everywhere else
- Available only to full-time students
A Closer Look at the Best Discover Credit Cards
Best Rotating Category Card: Discover it® Cash Back
Why we love this card: With the Discover it® Cash Back, you can earn 5% cash back on activated bonus categories that rotate quarterly (up to $1,500 in quarterly spending, then 1%). The best part about Discover’s rotating categories is that they frequently include places you shop anyway, making the card a rewarding tool in your wallet.
Who should have this in their wallet: The value-seeking rewards optimizer should have this card in their wallet. You can use the Discover it® Cash Back to earn extra cash back in bonus categories, or you can use it strategically to augment the earnings on your other cards. For example, if you have another card that caps grocery rewards, you could shift your grocery store spending to the Discover it® Cash Back when grocery stores are offered as a bonus category.
Other cards to consider: If you like earning 5% cash back in rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex® is an essential card for its similar rotating category structure, and the Citi Custom Cash® Card is Citi’s take on the rotating category concept.
All information about the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Newsweek Vault. The Chase Freedom Flex® is no longer available through Newsweek Vault.
Best for Gas and Restaurant Spending: Discover it® Chrome
Why we love this card: If you spend a moderate amount on dining out and fueling your car each month, getting additional rewards on that spending can help you stretch your dollars. With the first-year Cashback Match™ welcome offer, you’re getting an effective 4% cash back in these categories.
Who should have this in their wallet: Anyone who dines out will enjoy the additional rewards offered by the Discover it® Chrome. If you visit restaurants a few times a month, using your Discover it® Chrome card can earn you more rewards than most other cash back cards—at least in your first year of card ownership.
Other cards to consider: After the first year, the Discover it® Chrome card isn’t a great option, and you might want to consider another card for dining or gas long-term. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the natural alternative thanks to its 3X rewards rate on restaurants and gas purchases.
Best for Spending Everywhere Else: Discover it® Miles
Why we love this card: Although it’s a travel card that earns miles, the Discover it® Miles is useful as a general-purpose card since miles can be redeemed for cash back. This makes the Discover it® Miles effectively a 1.5% cash back card (and a 3% cash back card in the first year, thanks to Discover’s Cashback Match™).
Who should have this in their wallet: The busy professional seeking simplicity will enjoy the Discover it® Miles’s flat rewards rate. But rewards optimizers can also make use of the card to increase the rewards they earn on purchases outside the bonus categories offered by their other cards.
Other cards to consider: What’s better than 1.5% rewards everywhere? 2% rewards everywhere. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases, and the Citi Double Cash® Card earns up to 2% cash back—1% back when you make your purchase and 1% back when you pay your bill.
Best for NHL Fans: NHL® Discover it® Credit Card
Why we love this card: Many team-branded credit cards offer only mediocre rewards, but that’s not the case with the NHL® Discover it® Credit Card. In fact, you’ll earn the same rewards rate as the non-branded Discover it® Cash Back—5% cash back on activated, rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 in quarterly spending, then 1% back).
Who should have this in their wallet: The NHL fan who doesn’t want to sacrifice rewards should opt for their team’s variant of the NHL® Discover it® Credit Card.
Other cards to consider: If you’re an NHL fan, you might be interested in cards that can give you additional rewards on entertainment purchases, like tickets to NHL games. If you want a card that offers rewards on entertainment spending with no annual fee, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Best Secured Card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Why we love this card: The unfortunate reality of secured credit cards is that many of them are high-fee products that offer limited consumer benefits—this is not so with the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card carries no annual fee, earns modest rewards on spending and offers a path to an unsecured card once you’ve established a good credit score.
Who should have this in their wallet: If you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit and can’t qualify for an unsecured credit card, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a genuinely good alternative. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers an option to build a positive credit history and transition to an unsecured credit card after establishing a history of responsible credit use.
Other cards to consider: Are you looking for another no-annual-fee secured card that offers a path to an unsecured card at a major bank? If so, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card and U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card are two other cards to consider.
Best Student Card With Rotating Categories: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Why we love this card: The downside to many student cards is that they offer fewer rewards and benefits than comparable non-student cards. We love seeing cards like the Discover it® Student Cash Back break this trend, which offers all of the rewards and benefits of the standard Discover it® Cash Back.
Who should have this in their wallet: The savvy student spender will enjoy earning high rewards in bonus categories that rotate each quarter. Some commonly offered bonus categories (like wholesale clubs) may be less relevant to students, but most students can get plenty of additional rewards from categories like grocery stores, restaurants, digital wallets, gas stations, public transit and Walmart—all of which were highlighted categories within the past year.
Other cards to consider: Other student cards that we like include the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Freedom Rise℠. Both of these cards offer 1.5% cash back rewards with no annual fee, though the Capital One card offers a modest welcome bonus, while the Chase card gives you a small bonus for enrolling in automatic payments.
Best Student Card for Gas and Restaurants: Discover it® Student Chrome
Why we love this card: As a student, you’re unlikely to be spending large amounts of money on home improvement projects or luxury travel, and if you’re living in a dorm, your grocery purchases are probably limited. The Discover it® Student Chrome earns rewards you can use without adding complexity to your wallet.
Who should have this in their wallet: The commuting student or the student away at college should get the Discover it® Student Chrome, as they can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1% back).
Other cards to consider: We like the Chase Freedom Rise thanks to its 1.5% cash back rate and lack of an annual fee. If you’re spending a lot at grocery stores, consider the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and a handful of other categories.
What Are the Benefits of Discover Credit Cards?
Discover credit cards typically offer decent cash back compared to other credit cards. Within Discover’s portfolio of cards, you’ll find cards offering:
- 5% cash back on rotating categories
- A dollar-for-dollar Cashback Match™ in the first year
- Cash back cards for students with no credit score
- A secured credit line with rewards on purchases
One unique feature of Discover credit cards is that you can get cash at the register at many merchants with no fee. Discover considers getting cash at checkout a purchase, so you won’t be charged any cash advance fees on up to $120 in cash every 24 hours. Like other purchases, the cash you take out has a payment grace period. As long as you pay your card balance in full by your statement due date each month, you won’t pay interest.
Pros and Cons of Discover Credit Cards
Pros
- All of its cards earn rewards, even student and secured cards
- None of its cards charge an annual fee
- Does not charge foreign transaction fees, which saves up to 3% on purchases outside the U.S.
Cons
- Discover doesn’t have any airline or hotel transfer partners
- Missing key benefits, like purchase and travel protections
- Lack of traditional welcome bonus reduces appeal of getting a new card
What Credit Score Do You Need for a Discover Credit Card?
Discover doesn’t publish a required credit score, but it does advise you can get approved with a good credit score. According to FICO, 670 or higher is considered a good credit score. Other factors that Discover may consider in your credit application include:
- Income
- Housing information
- Student status
Some of Discover’s credit card products, like its student credit cards and secured credit card, are available to consumers who have no credit score.
What Are Discover Credit Card Interest Rates?
Discover credit cards currently offer variable interest rates on purchases ranging from 17.74% to 27.74%. Interest rates vary by card, with student credit cards having a slightly smaller interest rate range and the secured card having a single, higher interest rate.
Here are the standard variable purchase APRs for the Discover cards featured in this article:
| Card Name | Variable APR |
| Discover it® Cash Back | 18.74% – 27.74% |
| Discover it® Chrome | 18.74% – 27.74% |
| Discover it® Miles | 18.74% – 27.74% |
| NHL® Discover it® Credit Card | 18.74% – 27.74% |
| Discover it® Secured Credit Card | 27.74% |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | 17.74% – 26.74% |
| Discover it® Student Chrome | 17.74% – 26.74% |
How Do I Choose the Best Discover Credit Card for Me?
Discover offers seven different credit cards, all with rewards and no annual fee. Finding the right Discover card for you will be a question of which cards are available to you and how well the rewards match up with your spending patterns.
Spending Patterns
If your spending trends toward categories like grocery stores, restaurants, wholesale clubs, Target and Amazon.com—which have historically been featured as Discover it® Cash Back bonus categories—the Discover it® Cash Back might be your best option. If you spend more on dining and gas, you might prefer the Discover it® Chrome.
Credit Score
If you have an excellent credit score, you can probably get approved for most Discover credit cards. But if you have a limited credit history or are rebuilding your credit, you might be limited to the student or secured credit cards. Fortunately, Discover’s secured credit card is an excellent product, and Discover will begin automatically reviewing your account after seven months to see if you qualify to upgrade to an unsecured credit card.
Full-Time Student Status
If you’re a student with a limited credit history, you can apply for the Discover it® Student Cash Back or the Discover it® Student Chrome. Both of these cards are available exclusively to students and offer access to credit even if you have no credit score.
Alternatives from Other Credit Card Issuers
Flexible Points Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is an excellent choice for consumers who love to travel. It earns 3X on dining, online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and select streaming services. The card also earns 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ and 2X points on other travel purchases. Points are worth 25% more when booking travel through Chase Travel, or you can transfer them to 14 airline and hotel partners. The card also includes generous travel and purchase protections at no extra charge.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Earn an unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase and 5X miles on hotel stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Your miles can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards and more, including the ability to cover past travel purchases. This is one of the few no-annual-fee cards that can transfer its rewards to airline and hotel partners.
Cash Back Credit Cards
Citi Double Cash® Card: The Citi Double Cash earns an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% as you pay off your balance. New customers also receive a long intro APR offer on balance transfers, and there is no annual fee.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards: You’ll get an unlimited 1.5% cash back with the Unlimited Cash Rewards Card, but customers with large deposit and investment balances can earn even more. When you qualify for Preferred Rewards, you’ll get bonus rewards of up to 75%. This means your everyday purchases can earn up to a generous 2.62% on every dollar you spend. With no annual fee and a long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, this card is a winner.
Secured Credit Cards
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee. This card starts out with a minimum $200 refundable credit limit based on your security deposit, but you’re automatically considered for a credit limit increase without an additional security deposit in as little as six months.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card: Maximize cash back while rebuilding your credit with this card. You’ll get 3% cash back on the category of your choice while also receiving 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Bonus cash back is available on the first $2,500 in combined spending each quarter, and then you’ll get 1% cash back on everything else. Credit limits range from $200 to $5,000, depending on your security deposit, and there are no annual fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Discover Ever Raise Your Credit Limit?
Discover may raise your credit limit based on your creditworthiness. If you have built a history of responsible credit use, you can request a credit line increase online or by calling the number on the back of your card. Secured card customers receive automatic reviews starting after seven months to see if they qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured card and for a possible credit limit increase.
What Is the Highest Credit Limit on a Discover Card?
Except for Discover’s secured credit card, you’ll always get a limit of at least $500 with any Discover credit card. Discover does not have a stated maximum credit limit, but large credit lines are common among cardholders. Your credit line will be based on Discover’s analysis of your credit history.
Why Are Discover Cards So Popular?
Discover was one of the first cards to launch cash back rewards in the 1980s, and many Discover credit card members are fiercely loyal to the brand. For many, cash back is the best type of reward, and Discover has an excellent reputation for customer service.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Editorial Disclosure: We may receive a commission from affiliate partner links included on our site. However, this does not impact our staffs’ opinions or assessments.
