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With unique and valuable sign-up bonuses, competitive rewards rates, and few fees to speak of, the Discover it® chrome credit card can go the distance with many of the higher-profile rivals. Case in point: the Discover it® chrome card offers bonus cash back for gas and restaurants. In this Discover it® chrome review, we'll cover what it has to offer and where it could improve.
Discover it® chrome
Apply Now
On Discover's Secure Website.
Apply Now
On Discover's Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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.
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. 4.50/5
Apply Now
On Discover's Secure Website.
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The typical (impressive) slate of Discover perks are included with this card that's a good fit for cardholders wanting gas and restaurant rewards
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- Sign-up bonus offer
- Gas and restaurants rewards
- No annual fee
- Great intro APR offer
- Mediocre bonus category cash back rate
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- 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn cash back on your next road trip with 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Redeem your cash back for any amount, any time. Cash rewards never expire.
- 100% U.S. Based Customer Service available any time.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- No annual fee.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Click "APPLY NOW" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
Full Discover it® chrome review
This credit card is a good fit for: Consumers who spend the most at gas stations and restaurants. Those with debt to pay off or a big purchase to make could also benefit from the intro APR offer.
Top perks
Unlimited Cashback Match sign-up bonus
Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This sign-up bonus is only available during the first year and for new cardholders, but it can be particularly lucrative since the match is unlimited.
Up to 2% back
The elevated cash back rate applies to spending at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending in these two categories every quarter. On all other purchases, this card earns 1% back.
No annual fee
The Discover it® chrome doesn't have an annual fee.
0% intro APR
This intro APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers for 14 months. The go-to variable rate applies after the 0% intro APR period expires.
No foreign transaction fees
You don't need to worry about paying extra when you travel abroad. While many credit cards include a 3% foreign transaction fee, the Discover it® chrome doesn't include this fee.
FICO® Score for free
Your FICO® Score can easily be accessed through Discover's web or app, or in every one of your monthly statements. Besides the score, users can see details about the five factors that impact it.
No cash back redemption minimum
You can redeem cash back at any time and for any amount. Your cash back also never expires as long as your credit card remains open.
Alternatives to consider
- If you want higher bonus category cash back rates: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns an incredible 6% back at U.S. supermarkets, up to a spending cap of $6,000 per year. It also gets you 6% back on select U.S. streaming services and 3% back at both U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases. Terms apply. There is a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), but if you have high spending in those areas, then the card's elevated cash back rates will more than make up for that.
- If you want different bonus categories: Discover it® Cash Back cardholders 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 of $1,500 on purchases and when you activate. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
As of Jan. 13, 2022
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| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Discover it® Cash Back |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.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. |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
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.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. |
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Apply Now
On Discover's Secure Website. |
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| Read Full Review | Read Full Review |
| Rates & Fees | Rates & Fees |
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Credit Rating Requirement: |
Credit Rating Requirement: |
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$300 statement credit |
Cashback Match |
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1% - 6% cash back |
1% - 5% Cashback |
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Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 12 months Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: Purchases: 0% Intro APR, 14 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR, 14 months |
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Regular APR: 13.99%-23.99% Variable |
Regular APR: 11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR |
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$0 introductory fee |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now
On Discover's Secure Website. |
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What could be improved
Bonus cash back rate
The biggest issue with the Discover it® chrome card is that its cash-back rates pale in comparison to many of the top cash back cards. If you shop around, you can easily find other cards that offer a higher bonus cash-back rate, more bonus categories, or both of the above.
Balance transfer fee
Although the 0% intro balance transfer APR is helpful, it would really get a boost if Discover didn't charge a balance transfer fee. The Discover it® chrome has a 3% intro balance transfer fee that increases 5% for any transfers thereafter (see terms).
Find the best credit card for your needs
Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
Suggested credit score
Discover it® chrome applicants with a high likelihood for approval will have good to excellent credit and a FICO® Score of at least 670.
Credit card companies weigh more factors than just credit scores in their decisions, so your credit score alone won't guarantee whether your application is approved or denied. There are reports of consumers getting the Discover it® chrome with a credit score below 670, but there are also consumers with higher scores who have been denied.
This credit card is right for you if:
Thanks to the bonus cash back this card earns at gas stations and restaurants, the Discover it® chrome has obvious appeal for those who value gas credit card rewards. The 0% intro APR also makes it a good choice if you need to finance a large purchase and pay it off over time or get a lower rate on credit card debt.
If your focus is earning as much cash back as you can, you should check out what other cards are offering first. As mentioned above, this card's cash back rates are good, but they're not quite a match for some of the best cards we've come across, even among other no annual fee cards.
FAQs
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The minimum starting credit limit for the Discover it® chrome card is $500. Depending on your creditworthiness, you may qualify for a higher credit limit. Some cardholders have reported limits of $5,000 or more.
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No, the Discover it® chrome card isn't metal. It's made of plastic.
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Yes, you can use the Discover it® chrome card internationally wherever Discover is accepted, and it doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.
Apply Now
On Discover's Secure Website.
About the Author
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy. The Author and/or The Motley Fool may have an interest in companies mentioned.
For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here
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