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Discover it® Chrome Review: Impressive Welcome Bonus Meets Debt Repayment

Review Updated
Jake FitzGerald
Author: Jake FitzGerald
Jake FitzGerald
Jake FitzGerald
Editorial Strategist

Jake is a full-time Editorial Strategist for Motley Fool Money, focusing primarily on our content production and distribution channels. He specializes in all thing credit cards and wants to make sure each person has the best card for them. While spending the last decade editing financial content, he has the ability to spend an entire day tailgating, the inability to take himself too seriously, and lives with a putter he’s not currently speaking to.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Fact checker

Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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If you're looking for a credit card that offers both debt repayment flexibility and a rewarding cash back program, the Discover it® Chrome card might be just what you need. Whether you're tackling credit card debt or want a card that makes your spending more rewarding, this card offers unique benefits that cater to both goals.

Here's what I love about the Discover it® Chrome card -- and how to know if it's right for you.

Ratings Methodology
Unlimited Cash Back Match

Discover it® Chrome

Apply Now for Discover it® Chrome

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Discover it® Chrome
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Discover it® Chrome

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 6 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months

Regular APR

18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically

1% - 2% Cashback

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer

Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

  • The main draw of this Discover card is the balance transfer offer, which is one of the best we've come across. Unlike many balance transfer cards, it combines that with cash back rewards. But the cash back program doesn't measure up to what other cards offer.

    • Welcome bonus offer
    • Gas and restaurants rewards
    • 0% intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • Low cash back rates
    • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–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.
    • Earn 2% cash back 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.
    • Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
    • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
    • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
    • No annual fee.
    • Terms and conditions apply.

Who should consider the Discover it® Chrome card?

If you answer "yes" to either of the below questions, the Discover it® Chrome credit card could be a strong pick for your wallet:

  1. Are you trying to pay off credit card debt?
  2. Do you spend a lot on your credit card each month?

If you're focused on tackling debt, this card's 18 months of 0% APR on balance transfers could be just what you need. (The go-to 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR applies at the end of the intro period.) This means you can transfer existing debt from another card and enjoy no interest for a year and a half. That's an unusually long time to chip away at your balance without the added weight of interest charges.

I'm also a big fan of the welcome bonus on this card: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. The more you spend, the more you get back. It's one of the best credit card welcome bonuses for high spenders.

What I like about the Discover it® Chrome card

Hefty welcome bonus: Double cash back for the first year

Discover's cashback match is one of the most straightforward and rewarding welcome bonuses available: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

For example, if you earned $500 in cash back, Discover will give you an extra $500, bringing your total to $1,000.

This is especially appealing because many credit card welcome bonuses are limited to your spending in the first few months. With Discover, you're rewarded for spending throughout your entire first year.

If that doesn't pique your interest, take a look at some of our favorite credit card welcome bonuses: Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses

Impressive 0% intro APR balance transfer offer

With this card, you can transfer your existing debt to Discover and pay it off over 18 months without interest. That gives you plenty of breathing room to pay off your credit card debt. The go-to 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR will apply at the end of the intro period.

This card has a perk I don't often see with balance transfer cards: It combines a lengthy balance transfer offer with a strong welcome bonus. Other balance transfer cards tend to choose one or the other -- you get a long payoff period or a big welcome bonus. This card has both.

In addition to the balance transfer offer, this card also provides 6 months of 0% intro APR on purchases.

Wondering how this card stacks up to other balance transfer credit cards? Check out our guide: Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Keep in mind, though, there's a balance transfer fee on this card: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories 		Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending 		$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5-3 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Downsides you should consider

Low cash back rates

While the Discover it® Chrome card shines in its first year, the regular cash back rates leave much to be desired. After the first year's cashback match ends, you'll earn:

  • 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants, up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases

Compare that to cards that offer flat 2% cash back on all purchases, or even higher rates in specific categories, and this card may feel underwhelming after your first year.

Plenty of cards offer higher cash back rates. Many of my favorites are featured on our list: Best Cash Back Credit Cards

How to apply for the Discover it® Chrome card

Applying for this card is simple and quick. Just visit Discover's website and fill out the application. You'll need to provide some personal details like your name, address, Social Security number or ITIN, and income.

In many cases, you'll get instant approval. If not, you might have to wait a few days for a final decision. Once approved, your new card should arrive in the mail within two weeks.

Final thoughts

The Discover it® Chrome card shines with its first-year perks and balance transfer offer, making it a great pick for those looking to save money or maximize rewards during their first year.

If you're ready to apply, click here to apply on Discover's website.

Our credit card methodology

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • Yes, the Discover it® Chrome card is a solid choice, especially if your focus is on paying off debt or earning cash back rewards during your first year. The card's standout features, like the 0% intro APR balance transfer offer and the first-year cashback match, make it a great short-term option. However, once the first-year bonus ends, the cash back rates drop, making it less competitive as a long-term rewards card.

  • Discover doesn't share specific credit score requirements, but reports suggest that having a credit score of 670 or higher will make you a better-qualified candidate for this card.