Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content
Advertiser Disclosure Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The Motley Fool receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear), but our reviews and ratings are not influenced by compensation. We do not include all companies or all offers available in the marketplace.
    |    Accessibility Options

Discover it® Chrome Review: Cut Fees and Earn Up to 2% Cash Back

Review Updated
Lyle Daly
By: Lyle Daly

Our Credit Cards Expert

Eric McWhinnie
Check IconFact Checked Eric McWhinnie
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

The Discover it® Chrome is the popular credit card issuer's gas and restaurant rewards card. It's light on fees and has a nice introductory APR offer for purchases and balance transfers, but it also has a low cash back rate that seriously limits its value. Find out whether you should apply for it or keep looking in our Discover it® Chrome review.

Ratings Methodology

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%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular APR

17.24% - 28.24% 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 Circle with letter I in it. N/A

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

  • Features the typically impressive slate of Discover card perks, but without the big bonus cash back.

    • Sign-up 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
    • 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.
    • 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. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
    • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
    • No annual fee.
    • Terms and conditions apply.

Full Discover it® Chrome review

This credit card is a good fit for: Consumers looking for a straightforward cash back card that will earn a little extra at gas stations and restaurants.

Top perks

Here's a look at what you get with the Discover it® Chrome.

Unlimited Cashback Match sign-up bonus

Discover will 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. If you earn $300 in cash back, you'll get another $300 from Discover.

SEE MORE: Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

Up to 2% cash back

The Discover it® Chrome earns:

  • A 2% Cashback Bonus® at gas stations and restaurants, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter in these categories
  • Unlimited 1% back on other purchases

It's far from the highest cash back rate, and the spending cap is on the low side. But you'll at least earn extra in two popular categories.

OTHER OPTIONS: Best Cash Back Credit Cards

0% intro APR

This card's 0% intro APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. The go-to 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR applies after the 0% intro APR period expires. It's not the longest intro period we've seen, but it's a good offer for a cash back card.

There are a couple of ways to use the 0% intro APR. If you have large expenses that you can't pay in full, you can pay them off over time. As long as you get the balance paid off within 15 months, you won't be charged any interest. You could also transfer over balances from other credit cards to refinance debt and save on interest charges.

SEE MORE: Best 0% APR Credit Cards

No foreign transaction fee

You don't need to worry about paying extra when you travel abroad. The Discover it® Chrome doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. Many credit cards charge 3% for international transactions.

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 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, 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 3% at U.S. gas stations (terms apply). There is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (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 a 5% Cashback Bonus® on everyday purchases in rotating bonus categories each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum of $1,500 on purchases after you activate. Other purchases earn 1% cash back.

MORE TOP PICKS: Best Credit Cards

As of Apr. 16, 2024
Image for
Image for
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Discover it® Cash Back
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, 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
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Rating Requirement: 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)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: 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)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

$250

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

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

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 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. 3% Cash Back 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 or at Amazon.com checkout.

1%-6% Cash Back

Rewards Program: 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—automatically.

1% - 5% Cashback

Intro APR:

Purchases: 0%, 12 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months

Intro APR:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular APR:

19.24%-29.99% Variable

Regular APR:

17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Annual Fee:

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Annual Fee:

$0

Highlights:

  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible 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% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
  • 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.
  • 3% Cash Back 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 or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.

Highlights:

  • 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. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • 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—automatically.
  • 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. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Show More Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content Show Less Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content

What could be improved

There's only one notable drawback to this Discover card, but it's a big one.

Low cash back rates

The cash back rates for the Discover it® Chrome are mediocre at best. Many no annual fee credit cards earn rates of 3%, 4%, and even 5% back in bonus categories. That's much higher than this card's rate of 2%. There are also cards that offer a flat rate of 2% on purchases, in all categories. If you shop around and read more credit card reviews, you can find cards that offer higher rates, more bonus categories, or both of the above.

Find the best credit card for your needs

Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.

Compare cards

Suggested credit score

A FICO® Score of at least 670 is recommended to apply for the Discover it® Chrome. It's a credit card for consumers with good to excellent credit.

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.

The Discover it® Chrome is right for you if:

You're looking for a Discover card with bonus gas and dining rewards. It's also a good option for financing purchases or getting a lower rate on credit card debt, because of its 0% intro APR.

If your focus is earning as much cash back as you can, you should check out what other cards are offering. The cash back rate on the Discover it® Chrome is nothing special, even compared to other cards with no annual fee. You could earn much more with one of the top rewards cards.

Read more: Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Our credit card methodology

At The Motley Fool Ascent, 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 The Ascent rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • 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.

  • No, the Discover it® Chrome card isn't metal. It's made of plastic.

  • Yes, you can use the Discover it® Chrome card internationally wherever Discover is accepted, and it doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.

Our Credit Cards Experts

Lyle Daly
By: Lyle Daly

Writer

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.

Eric McWhinnie
Check IconFact Checked Eric McWhinnie

Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.