Do I need a good credit history to qualify for a Discover credit card?

You likely need a good credit history to qualify for one of Discover’s non-student unsecured credit cards, such as its [card_name pid=52137] and [card_name pid=52133]. However, [card_name pid=52135], [card_name pid=52136] and [card_name pid=52131] don’t require any credit to apply. These cards are available to borrowers with bad or no credit and can help you build credit or establish it from scratch with on-time payments.

Best Discover credit cards of August 2023

Rebecca Safier

BLUEPRINT

Published 3:41 a.m. ET Aug. 1, 2023

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Discover is an online bank that offers a variety of credit cards with no annual or foreign transaction fees to qualifying consumers. The best Discover credit cards offer cash back on your spending and an unlimited cash-back match at the end of your first year.

Unlike some other credit card companies, Discover offers some cards designed specifically for students or individuals with bad or no credit. Hockey fans may also appreciate the chance to design their cash back card with their favorite NHL team’s logo.

We took a deep dive into all the credit cards Discover offers to help you determine which card, if any, is right for you. Read on for a closer look at rewards, annual percentage rates (APR), and more.

Discover it® Cash Back *

The information for the Discover it® Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

: Best for earning cash back
Discover it® Student Cash Back *

The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

: Best for students to earn cash back in alternating categories
Discover it® Student Chrome *

The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

: Best for students to earn cash back at a flat rate
Discover it® Secured Credit Card *

The information for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

: Best for bad credit
Discover it® Miles *

The information for the Discover it® Miles has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

: Best for travel rewards
Discover it® Chrome *

The information for the Discover it® Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

: Best for points back at gas stations and restaurants
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Best Discover credit cards of 2023

Best for earning cash back

Discover it® Cash Back

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

Editor’s Take

Pros

Low intro APR offer on both new purchases and balance transfers.
Generous rewards in quarterly rotating categories.
Automatic cash-back match at the end of your first cardmember year.

Cons

No travel insurance or purchase protection benefits.
Highest rewards are capped at $1,500 per quarter.
There’s a balance transfer fee.

This no-annual-fee card offers a low intro APR on both new purchases and balance transfers, plus it features a unique first-year welcome bonus: New applicants get a 100% cash-back match of all the rewards they’ve earned in their first year of card membership. The card is useful after the intro offer expires too, since it earns rewards on spending.

Card Details

Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a variable rate of 17.24% to 28.24% applies. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the amount transferred applies.
Perks and benefits: FICO Score, Social Security number alerts, turn your account on/off with Discover’s Freeze it® feature.

Best for students to earn cash back in alternating categories

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.

Editor’s Take

Pros

No credit score required to apply.
5% cash back in rotating categories (upon activation, up to the quarterly maximum).
Discover matches your rewards at the end of your first year.

Cons

Elevated cash back limited to a quarterly cap of $1,500 in spending.
Must activate bonus categories each quarter to earn the elevated rate.
Other purchases only earn 1% back.

Students looking to build their credit history while earning rewards on their spending should consider the Discover it® Student Cash Back. It offers generous rewards and no credit score is needed to apply.

Card Details

Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum once activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.24% applies.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Perks and benefits: Reports to all three credit bureaus.

Best for students to earn cash back at a flat rate

Discover it® Student Chrome

Earn 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.

Editor’s Take

Pros

No annual fee or credit score required to apply.
Elevated cash back at restaurants and gas stations (up to a quarterly maximum), no activation required.
Discover will match your earnings at the end of your first year, automatically.

Cons

Quarterly spending cap of $1,000 for the elevated cash-back rate.
Low base earning rate on other purchases.
Discover has limited acceptance abroad.

For those seeking a no-fuss card that doesn’t require any bonus category activation, the Discover it® Student Chrome delivers, earning elevated rewards at gas stations and restaurants, up to a quarterly cap.

Card Details

Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and 10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.24% applies .
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Perks and benefits: Available to students with thin credit profiles, reports to all three credit bureaus. Free FICO Score, freeze your card online or in the Discover mobile app if you misplace it. Sign up for alerts in case your Social Security number is found on the dark web.

Best for bad credit

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Earn 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.

Editor’s Take

Pros

No credit score required to apply.
Earns elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants.
No annual fee.

Cons

$1,000 quarterly spending cap on elevated cash-back rate.
Only earns 1% back on other purchases.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card doesn’t require a credit score to apply, so it’s a solid option for consumers looking to rebuild or establish credit. There’s no annual fee rewards, to boot.

Card Details

Annual fee: $0.
Secured or unsecured: Secured.
Rewards: Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
APR: 10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for six months, then a 28.24 variable APR applies on purchases and balance transfers. There’s a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms).
Perks and benefits: Online privacy protection, free Social Security number alerts, option to freeze your account if you misplace your card with Freeze it®, $0 fraud liability guarantee, free FICO credit score. Monthly account reviews (starting after seven months) to see if you qualify to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.

Best for travel rewards

Discover it® Miles

Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases – with no annual fee.

Editor’s Take

Pros

1.5 miles per dollar on purchases.
Discover matches the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

Cons

Doesn’t come with meaningful travel perks, like lounge access or travel insurances.
Some other travel cards earn more miles per $1.

Discover’s no-annual-fee travel card earns “miles” you can redeem for travel on every dollar spent on purchases with no limit. At the end of your first year with the card, Discover will automatically match all the miles you’ve earned.

Card Details

Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1.5 miles per $1 on purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. After that, a variable APR of 17.24% to 28.24% applies. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the amount transferred applies.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Perks and benefits: Online privacy protection, miles never expire, flexible redemption options.

Best for points back at gas stations and restaurants

Discover it® Chrome

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.

Editor’s Take

Pros

Elevated cash-back rate at gas stations and restaurants.
No annual fee.
Discover will match the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.

Cons

Quarterly spending cap of $1,000 for the elevated cash-back rate.
Other purchases only earn 1% cash back.
Competing cards may offer higher rewards potential.

If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with a low introductory APR period, the Discover it® Chrome could be a good choice. The card offers a low intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants.

Card Details

Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a variable rate of 17.24% to 28.24% applies. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the amount transferred applies.
Perks and benefits: $0 fraud liability guarantee, plus other benefits that are standard to Discover’s family of credit cards.

Compare the best Discover credit cards :

Credit Card

Credit score

Best For

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

Discover it® Cash Back

Good, Excellent (700 – 749)

Best for earning cash back

Cashback Match™

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Fair, New to Credit

Best for students to earn cash back in alternating categories

Cashback Match™

Discover it® Student Chrome

Fair, New to Credit

Best for students to earn cash back at a flat rate

Cashback Match™

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

New, Rebuilding Credit

Best for bad credit

Cashback Match™

Discover it® Miles

Good, Excellent (700 – 749)

Best for travel rewards

Discover Match®

Discover it® Chrome

Good, Excellent (700 – 749)

Best for points back at gas stations and restaurants

Cashback Match™

Best Discover credit cards of August 2023

Discover it® Cash Back

This no-annual-fee card offers 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. At the end of your first year, Discover will automatically match your rewards.If you’re a hockey fan, you can also opt for NHL® Discover It® Credit Card * The information for the NHL® Discover It® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , which works the same as the Discover it® Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , but lets you choose among 32 NHL teams for your card design.

Annual fee: $0.

Rewards: 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it® Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers decent rewards on your everyday purchases, but you’ll need to put in a little legwork to maximize your points. The card earns 5% cash back on purchases at different places each quarter up to $1,500 spent each quarter when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. As with other Discover credit cards, you don’t have to worry about any annual fees or foreign transaction fees.

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Students, who typically have limited credit histories, may find it challenging to qualify for a rewards card. But the Discover it® Student Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is tailor-made for this purpose. It’s possible to get approved without a credit score and you’ll earn rewards too.

Annual fee: $0.

Rewards: 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum once activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it® Student Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers the opportunity for students to access credit without having a credit score. As with the Discover it® Student Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , this student card earns 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum once activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Busy students, however, might not appreciate having to activate the bonus categories each quarter.

Discover it® Student Chrome

For students who find remembering to activate categories each quarter too cumbersome, the Discover it® Student Chrome * The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has a simpler proposition. It earns elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to the $1,000 quarterly maximum and all other spending earns 1%.

Annual fee: $0.

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

Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Foreign transaction fee: None.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it® Student Chrome * The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. might be a better option for students who want to earn rewards without having to activate bonus categories each quarter. This card automatically earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. As with Discover’s other credit card offerings, this card comes with an unlimited cash-back match at the end of your first year. For example, if you earned $150 in rewards during your first year, that would become $300 with Discover’s match.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card * The information for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. ticks all the boxes for what you should look for in a secured card: No annual or account opening fees and the potential to “graduate” to an unsecured version with consistent on-time payment behavior. The rewards are just the cherry on top.

Annual fee: $0.

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

Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Foreign transaction fee: None.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card * The information for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. reports to all threemajor credit bureaus, so you can use it to rebuild credit or establish it from scratch with on-time payments. As with other secured cards, you’ll need to provide a security deposit upfront. After that, you can use this card like a traditional credit card and earn rewards points along the way, as well as Discover’s cash-back match at the end of your first year.

Discover it® Miles

Discover’s travel card might be a good fit for consumers who want a no-annual-fee travel card with flexible redemption options. There’s no limit to the number of miles you can earn and you can redeem your miles for cash back or a statement credit toward travel purchases.

Annual fee: $0.

Rewards: 1.5 miles per $1 on purchases.

Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Foreign transaction fee: None.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The simple value proposition is likely to appeal to occasional travelers who don’t want to track rewards categories and want easy-to-earn easy-to-use rewards towards travel. But there are cash-back cards that earn a flat 2% back on all spending, which can be used on travel or any way you’d like.

Discover it® Chrome

Aimed at those who want simple and elevated rewards on gas and dining, and don’t want to shell out for an annual fee, the Discover it® Chrome * The information for the Discover it® Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $0.

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

Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Foreign transaction fee: None.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Although there are other cards on the market that offer cash back on all spending, not just gas and restaurants, one major benefit of this card is that you can redeem your rewards in any amount, at any time, without having to wait to accrue a certain amount.

Should you get a Discover credit card?

Discover credit cards share a number of features that might appeal to you, including no annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or penalty fees on your first late payment. Plus, Discover cards come with other benefits, including a $0 fraud liability guarantee, online privacy protection, and a free FICO score.

You may also appreciate that Discover’s credit cards come with 24/7 access to its U.S.-based customer service team. Discover consistently ranks high for customer service, coming in at #2 on J.D. Power’s 2022 credit card customer satisfaction survey.

Students and poor- or no-credit borrowers might also like Discover’s student and secured credit card options, which offer generous perks and the ability to apply without a credit score. Opening one of these cards can help you build credit, as long as you make on-time payments.

If you have good or excellent credit, it might be worth shopping around with other credit card issuers to see if you can find higher rewards rates or bonus perks. If you’re looking for luxury travel benefits, such as lounge access or priority boarding, you’d be better off with Chase, American Express, or another credit card company.

Guide to Discover credit cards

About Discover’s reward program

Discover’s credit cards earn cash back or miles with flexible redemption options. You can typically redeem your rewards as a direct deposit into your bank account, a statement credit, or toward Pay by Points on Amazon or Paypal. Discover’s travel card lets you redeem your miles for cash back or as statement credits toward travel purchases. Whether you opt for a cash back or travel card, the points you earn will never expire.

Which Discover card is right for you?

Discover offers a variety of credit cards to suit consumers with different needs. Here are some tips for choosing the right card.

If you’re a student: Look into Discover it® Student Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. or Discover it® Student Chrome * The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
If you have poor or no credit: Explore the Discover it® Secured Credit Card * The information for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
If you want to maximize your cash back: Consider the Discover it® Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
If you don’t want to worry about rotating rewards categories: Check out the Discover it® Chrome * The information for the Discover it® Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .

If you’re a frequent traveler: Look into Discover it® Miles * The information for the Discover it® Miles has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .

Ultimately, the right card is the one that will earn you the most rewards based on your spending habits.

How to compare Discover Cards

Discover credit cards share a lot of the same feature. None of them charge annual fees or foreign transaction fees and they all come with Discover’s cash-back match welcome bonus. When comparing cards, however, look for some of the main differences, including the following:

Annual percentage rate.
Whether the card has a 0% APR introductory period.
Rewards and whether you need to activate spending categories .
Spending caps on bonus rewards rate categories.
Credit requirements to qualify for the card .

Comparing these features can help you find the card that’s the best fit for you.

Methodology

Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each Discover card currently available and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Discover is a credible credit card company. It has been issuing credit cards since 1985 and consistently ranks highly on J.D. Power’s credit card customer satisfaction survey.

You likely need a good credit history to qualify for one of Discover’s non-student unsecured credit cards, such as its Discover it® Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and Discover it® Miles * The information for the Discover it® Miles has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . However, Discover it® Student Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , Discover it® Student Chrome * The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and Discover it® Secured Credit Card * The information for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. don’t require any credit to apply. These cards are available to borrowers with bad or no credit and can help you build credit or establish it from scratch with on-time payments.

Discover may automatically consider your account for a credit limit increase periodically. You can also call Discover’s customer service and request an evaluation of your account if you need a credit limit increase.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Rebecca Safier

BLUEPRINT

Rebecca has been writing about personal finance and education since 2014. With a background in teaching and school counseling, she brings firsthand experience working with students and their families to her writing about student loans, financial aid and the college process. Formerly a senior student loans and personal loans writer for Student Loan Hero and LendingTree, Rebecca now covers a variety of personal finance topics, including budgeting, saving for retirement, home buying and home ownership, side hustles and more. Her work has been featured in MarketWatch, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Advisor, and other publications, and she's contributed expert commentary to Fortune, Money.com, NBC and more. When Rebecca's not writing about money, she's teaching people how to create profitable blogs on her website, Remote Bliss.

Robin Saks Frankel

BLUEPRINT

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.