Best Discover credit cards for August 2022

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Discover offers a variety of credit cards for everyday shoppers, travelers, students and business owners. Furthermore, the Discover brand is known for customer service and the fact that its credit cards charge no annual fee. To find the best Discover credit cards, we considered rewards rates, perks, benefits and more for you to decide which Discover card to add to your wallet.

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BEST FOR CUSTOMIZABLE REWARDS

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Reward rate
5

5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose.

3

5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center.

-1

1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

1

1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

$200 bonus

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

16.74% - 26.74% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is packed full of bonus rewards categories. It will take more than a little effort to track them all, but people who don’t mind strategizing to earn high rewards for all their purchases will enjoy having this card in their collection.
Pros
  • Multiple rotating and fixed bonus categories, which can make it easier to earn rewards quickly
  • The $200 sign-up bonus (after spending $1,000 within the first 120 days of account opening) increases the card’s first-year value
Cons
  • The $2,000 combined spending cap each quarter for your chosen 5% categories limits your ability to rake in rewards
  • Having to track and enroll in rotating categories can be a hassle for some
  • New! $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
  • 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
  • 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
  • 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
  • 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 16.74% – 26.74%
  • No Annual Fee
  • Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles.

Balance transfer intro APR
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles.

BEST FOR PERSONAL LOAN ALTERNATIVE

Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa®

Reward rate
2.2

Earn 2.2% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment

Intro offer

$200

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

8.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

If you value having an incentive for making your credit card payments, you will find a lot to love with this card option. You’ll earn a competitive rate of 2.2 percent cash back on your purchases each time you make a payment. The card is also fairly affordable, skipping the annual fee, foreign transaction fees and many other common maintenance fees.
Pros
  • You won’t need to use your reward earnings to offset any maintenance fees.
  • You’ll earn a bonus after you open a Rewards Checking account and make three purchases with the card in your first 60 days.
Cons
  • The high end APR range is well above average. That could prove costly if you don’t have the credit needed to qualify for the lower range and you end up carrying a balance.
  • You won’t get a break on interest if you carry a balance since there are no intro APR offers on purchases or balance transfers.
  • $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions within 60 days.*
  • New Feature: Pay your balance in full early each month and avoid interest with EarlyPay.
  • Earn 2.2% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
  • See if you qualify in seconds with no impact to your credit score
  • No Fees – $0 annual fees, $0 activation fees, $0 maintenance fees
  • Combine the flexibility of a card with the low cost and predictability of a loan
  • Access to a virtual card, so you can start earning while you wait for your card to arrive in the mail.
  • Contactless payments with Apple Pay® and Google Pay™
  • Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
  • *To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Upgrade Rewards Checking Account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive the bonus.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
N/A

Balance transfer intro APR
N/A

BEST FOR GROCERIES

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Reward rate
6

6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).

1

6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.

3

3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations

0

3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations

1

1% Cash Back on other purchases

Intro offer

$350

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

16.24%-26.24% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

With generous rewards rates in family-friendly categories including purchases at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, on-the-go families will have a hard time finding a more rewarding credit card.
Pros
  • The base reward program is uber-lucrative, making this card a good choice for people looking for long-term value.
  • You don’t have to keep track of rotating spending categories or enrollment deadlines.
Cons
  • There is no intro APR offer on balance transfers.
  • You won’t earn the extra rewards for grocery shopping at major superstores and wholesale clubs, as those don’t count as U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a fixed monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.24% to 26.24%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • $95 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
0% on purchases for 12 months

Balance transfer intro APR
N/A

BEST FOR ROTATING CASH BACK CATEGORIES

Discover it® Cash Back

Reward rate
5

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

1

Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.

Intro offer

Cashback Match™

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

13.49% - 24.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

The Discover it Cash Back is a popular choice for cash back rewards because of the rotating bonus categories. It’s an exciting way to earn cash back quarter by quarter and all year-round without committing to a set rewards category.
Pros
  • Discover will match the cash back you earn at the end of the first year.
  • There are a few cash back redemption options, including credit to your account and donations.
Cons
  • You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter.
  • There is a spending limit on your highest cash back category each quarter ($1,500 in combined purchases per quarter).
  • Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
  • New! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
  • Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
  • New Intro APR: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 13.49% to 24.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months

Balance transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months

BEST FOR UP TO 2% CASH BACK

Citi® Double Cash Card

Reward rate
2

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Intro offer

$200 Cash Back

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

16.24% - 26.24% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

If you make your payments on time each month, it’ll be tough to find a better cash back card than the Citi Double Cash Card. With healthy financial habits, this card effectively becomes a 2 percent flat-rate cash back card (1 percent when you make purchases and another 1 percent when you pay your bill), a rare find in the cash back market.
Pros
  • You can convert your cash back earnings to Citi ThankYou points when paired with a card like the Citi Premier® Card, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards and more.
  • There are no spending category restrictions or rotating categories
Cons
  • Your rewards can expire with this card if you don’t use it for a year.
  • The sign-up bonus spending requirement is higher than you’ll find on many no-annual-fee cash back cards.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • For a limited time, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.24% – 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
N/A

Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers

A closer look at the top Discover credit cards

Discover it Cash Back: Best overall cash back card

  • What we love about the Discover it Cash Back: Discover’s CashBack Match program will essentially double your cash back earnings at the end of your first year.
  • Who this card is good for: Cash back strategy enthusiasts who want to and can maximize Discover’s rotating cash back calendar.
  • Alternatives: Cardholders who want to earn cash back without having to enroll into boosted categories each quarter on top of committing their quarterly purchases to those categories might find more convenience and value in a lower maintenance flat-rate cash back card

Jump back to offer details.
Read our full Discover it Cash Back card review.

Discover it Balance Transfer: Best for balance transfers

  • What we love about the Discover it Balance Transfer: After the balance transfer intro offer ends, the card essentially becomes similar to the Discover it Cash Back and earns cash back on its rotating calendar.
  • Who this card is good for: Debt reducers who want to take advantage of an 18-month intro 0 percent APR offer on balance transfers (then 13.49 percent to 24.49 percent variable) and pay off credit card debt.
  • Alternatives: If you need longer than 18 months to pay off your balance without interest you might opt for a card with a longer, introductory balance transfer period like the Citi® Diamond Preferred card. Despite the Diamond Preferred card’s higher regular APR of 15.99 percent to 25.99 percent variable, cardholders with a large balance to carry may benefit from the additional three billing cycles.

Jump back to offer details.
Read our full Discover it Cash Back card review.

Discover it Student Cash Back: Best overall student card

  • What we love about the Discover it Student Cash back: Discover’s student cash back card has the least stringent credit requirements, but still offers the same rotating categories as the Discover it Cash Back.
  • Who this card is good for: Students who can fit maximizing bonus category spending and planning into their busy college schedules.
  • Alternatives: If you’re a student who has already established some credit history and has at least good credit, you might be more interested in the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students. This card earns 3 percent back in a category of your choice, 2 percent back at grocery and wholesale stores (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1 percent) and 1 percent on all other purchases. It’s a flexible option that gets you away from the structured enrollment requirements of the Discover it Student Cash Back.

Jump back to offer details.
Read our full Discover it Student Cash Back card review.

Discover it® Miles: Best Discover travel card

  • What we love about the Discover it Miles: The Discover it Miles card earns unlimited 1.5X miles on purchases and Discover will match your mile earnings at the end of your first year with the card.
  • Who this card is good for: Travel rewards card beginners who want to earn miles, but not with a specific airline.
  • Alternatives: As a travel card, the Discover it Miles earns rewards at a relatively low rate, making it difficult to earn a ton of miles. Cardholders looking for a new travel card will be better served by a card that earns boosted rewards exclusively for travel-related purchases rather than a flat-rate for general purchases. While you may consider the $95 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option with rewards potential to easily offset the card’s annual fee and provide you with added travel insurances only available on travel cards in this caliber.

Jump back to offer details.
Read our full Discover it Miles card review.

Discover it chrome: Best for gas station purchases

  • What we love about the Discover it chrome: With the Discover it chrome card, the elevated 2 percent categories are capped at $1,000 on combined purchases a quarter then reverts to 1 percent, but no activation is required.
  • Who this card is good for: Roadtrippers and weekend warriors who fill up at the pump often.
  • Alternatives: A quarterly cap on rewards can be hindering to cardholders who spend around $350 each month on gas and restaurant purchases. If you want to earn 2 percent back on purchases in these categories, opting for a card that earns a flat-rate of 2 percent on all purchases will ultimately be more rewarding—especially one without a quarterly cap on your rewards potential. The Citi® Double Cash Card, for instance, earns 2 percent cash back on every purchase (1 percent when you buy, 1 percent when you pay your bill.

Jump back to offer details.
Read our full Discover it chrome card review.

Discover it Student chrome: Best for dining, gas and large purchases

  • What we love about the Discover it Student chrome: The Discover it Student chrome card gets most of the benefits of the Discover it chrome, but with easier credit score requirements for approval.
  • Who this card is good for: College students who commute to class, take plenty of road trips and dine out often.
  • Alternatives: Students who don’t leave campus frequently, don’t commute and eat using a meal pass rather than dining out might find little value in the Discover it Student chrome card’s rewards categories. Instead, they might find more value in a card that comes with boosted rewards in categories like event tickets, streaming services and entertainment. The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option that earns anywhere from 1 to 8 percent across all of those categories.

Jump back to offer details.
Read our full Discover it Student chrome card review.

Discover it Secured Credit Card: Best for building credit

  • What we love about the Discover it Secured Credit Card: Discover it Secured cardholders can earn cash back as they build credit, a rarity among secured credit cards.
  • Who this card is good for: Credit beginners and people repairing bad credit.
  • Alternatives: You could potentially earn more cash back annually if you spend across various categories outside gas and dining. If you want to use your secured card on grocery purchases while still earning decent rewards, a card like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited 1.5 percent back on every purchase.

Jump back to offer details.
Read our full Discover it Secured credit card review.

What benefits and features do Discover cards offer?

Discover credit cards come with a number of perks that help them stand out in a crowded field. Depending on your spending habits, you can earn cash back in a series of popular rotating bonus categories or earn consistent rewards in select categories like gas, restaurants and travel.

But no matter what you’re looking for, every Discover card comes with no annual fee and Discover’s signature Cashback Match sign-up bonus. Here’s a look at some other perks that make Discover cards worth a look:

Limited fees

Most credit card issuer’s come with a host of security benefits that protect cardholders and their accounts. Discover cardholders benefit from these protections, giving them a layer of comfort and quick, prompt service:

  • $0 fraud liability for 
  • 24/7 account monitoring
  • Free credit activity and Social Security Number fraud alerts
  • Discover Freeze it® account lock
  • Free overnight card delivery by request if lost or stolen

Customer service

When it comes to customer satisfaction, Discover is considered one of the best credit card issuers. According to numerous J.D. Power studies, including the 2022 U.S. Credit Card Mobile App Satisfaction Study, Discover ranks highest in online credit card satisfaction and credit card mobile app satisfaction, beating out strong competition from American Express, Capital One, Bank of America and Chase.

Discover’s high placement may be attributed to a number of factors, including: 

  • U.S.-based customer service
  • Free FICO® Credit Scorecard
  • Year-end spending summary
  • Recurring charges dashboard

How to redeem Discover cash back

You can redeem your cash back rewards in a number of ways, giving Discover cardholders a ton of control over how they access their rewards. These options include:

  • A statement credit
  • A bank account direct deposit
  • Direct payment at Amazon.com and PayPal checkouts
  • A physical or digital Partner Gift Card with 5 percent to 20 percent added value to each gift card (depending on merchant). Partner Gift Cards range from $5 to $200 in increments of $5.
  • A charitable donation

Comparatively, Discover is one of the more flexible card issuers when it comes to point redemption. For example, you can use any Discover Miles you earn with the Discover it Miles card to cover travel purchases or Amazon.com and PayPal purchases at the checkout screen. In addition, you can convert miles at a 1:1 rate for cash back as bank account direct deposit. Discover has also announced that your miles can now be used to cover your credit card bill, including the minimum payment.

Discover rewards don’t expire for the life of your account. Unlike a few issuers, Discover will credit your account with your cash back or miles balance rather than forfeit your rewards if your account is closed or unused for 18 months. This is an incredibly user-friendly perk that makes the issuer a top contender for people who are new to rewards cards.

Who should get a Discover credit card

There are several Discover cards available for consumers, and the one you choose should be based on your individual financial needs. If you’re not sure what type of consumer you are or where you fit with your financial habits, you can check out Credit Card spender type tool to see where you land and receive specific card recommendations. But cardholders in the following categories can definitely benefit from Discover cards:  
College students with busy travel and social schedules could benefit from the cash back rates with the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student chrome cards. Also, these are student credit cards, so the credit requirements aren’t as stringent as normal cash back cards, and thus, are more attainable for young adults in college.
People starting out on their credit journeys and repairing past mistakes will benefit from the Discover it Secured credit card. It has a relatively low minimum security deposit of $200, plus free access to your FICO scores so you can track your credit-building progress as you use the card.  
Certain Discover cards can earn cardholders lucrative cash back on rotating categories when you activate. If you want a chance to earn cash back and maximize savings on your regular spending at grocery stores, gas stations or Amazon.com at different points in the year, then the Discover it Cash Back Card will deliver.

How to choose the best Discover credit card for you

Choosing your next credit card–or your first credit card–can be a daunting task no matter how you approach it, but it doesn’t have to be. Deciding whether a Discover card is for you is as simple as asking yourself a few questions:

Are you willing to activate bonus categories every quarter?

Discover’s elevated cash back categories must be activated every three months, so you need to stay on top of your credit card account if you want to take full advantage of the 5 percent back on up to $1,500 in purchases, then it drops to 1 percent. Luckily, Discover releases its cash back calendar for the full year so you know which categories are getting that 5 percent back well in advance. If you don’t want to activate categories, opt for Discover’s chrome cards, which offer 2 percent back on restaurants and gas stations on up to $1,000 per quarter, then 1 percent, but don’t require activation.

Do you need easier approval requirements?

For the Discover it Cash Back, we recommend that people have good credit or very good credit scores before applying. If your heart is still set on Discover but your score is fair, consider the Discover it Student chrome or Discover it Student Cash Back. The credit score requirements are slightly lower than its flagship cash back card, and you’ll still get decent cash back, plus Discover’s Cashback Match at the end of your first year.

How much cash back do you want?

If you activate the bonus category and then meet the $1,500 cap for 5 percent cash back every quarter (then 1 percent cash back), you could get $300, plus another $300 at the end of your first year with the Discover it Cash Back. That’s a 10 percent return for your spending for the year, which is a lot more than what other issuers offer. You just need to be sure you’re maximizing your spending in each of the bonus categories quarterly and not skewing your spending toward purchases you wouldn’t otherwise make.

If category enrollment isn’t your thing, the Discover it chrome and Discover it Student chrome cards earn 2 percent back at gas stations and restaurants, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases every quarter (then 1 percent). With these cards you could earn $80 a year when you meet the cap each quarter and $160 in the first year with Discover’s Cashback match.

How we chose our top Discover credit cards

Credit Card personal finance experts have evaluated the top Discover cards according to our 5-star rating system. The list of criteria for rating credit cards includes:
Rewards

Whether the card offers cash back, travel points/miles or multi-purpose rewards for eligible purchases and the potential returns based on rewards rate (1 percent cash back per $1 spent, 1 mile per $1 spent, and so on).

Perks and benefits

Whether the card offers extras such as retail discounts, extended warranties on purchases, travel insurance and financial management tools.

Annual fee

Whether the card charges an annual fee and if so, how much the card’s overall value and benefits might offset the fee.

Introductory offers

Whether the card has a sign-up bonus, welcome offer or similar sign-up incentive and how much it adds to the card’s overall value.

Have questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @CreditCard

Frequently asked questions about Discover credit cards

Discover offers a range of no-annual-fee credit cards that come with features many will find appealing. Students, credit-builders, travelers, cash back enthusiasts — even NHL fans — will want to take a look at Discover’s lineup of cards to see if one is the right fit for them.
Discover customers can hold a maximum of two credit card accounts with five authorized users on each. Cardholders can apply for a second card after their existing account has been open for 12 billing cycles.
Discover doesn’t publish its credit score requirements for its cards, but with most cash back cards, you need at least a fair to good FICO score, around 700. If you have poor credit, Discover offers a secured credit card that you can apply for with a security deposit. If you’re unsure if you’ll qualify for one of its credit cards, you can always check Discover’s prequalified offers on its website.
In Bankrate’s opinion, the best Discover credit card is the Discover it Cash Back, followed closely by the Discover it Balance Transfer. The Discover it Cash Back offers unlimited 1 percent on all purchases, plus 5 percent on rotating bonus categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent) when you activate. It’s a pretty high cash back model, as long as you enroll each quarter.
Discover has a 99 percent acceptance rate in the U.S. but isn’t as widely accepted overseas. Before traveling abroad, take a look at Discover’s international acceptance map to see where Discover is accepted and consider carrying a Visa or Mastercard credit card as backup.
The easiest Discover credit card to get approval for is the Discover it Secured credit card. But if you want an unsecured Discover credit card with lenient approval requirements, you might be able to qualify for the Discover it chrome, Discover it Student chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back cards with good credit—at least a 670 score. To decide which is best for you, consider using Credit CardMatch™ tool to see prequalified offers.

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