While they may not get as much fanfare as cards from giants like American Express and Chase, Discover cards are great choices for cash-back enthusiasts, beginner credit card users and simplicity-lovers alike. As Discover's cards migrate to Capital One's network, they're attracting fresh attention.
If you've decided now is the right time to apply for a Discover card, make sure you know what offer you're getting. Discover doesn't frequently change the welcome offers on its cards, so the answer to "When should I apply?" depends more on your personal situation than on the specific card's offer.
Discover it Cash Back
Best for: Those looking for flexible spending categories
Current welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account Opening. Additionally, Discover will automatically match all of the cash back you earn dollar-for-dollar in the first cardholder year.
This matches the best offer we've seen for this card, so now is a fantastic time to apply.
Annual fee: $0
Key benefits:
- 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter; activation required)
- 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Capital One Travel
- 5% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Access to Capital One Offers
- Fraud protection and free credit score access
To learn more, check out our full review of the Discover it® Cash Back.
Learn more: Discover it® Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back
Best for: Students who want a solid starter card
Current welcome offer: 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.
This is the standard offer for this card, but it's a solid offer for students who qualify.
Annual fee: $0
Key benefits:
- 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter; activation required)
- 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Capital One Travel
- 5% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Access to Capital One Offers
- No credit score required to apply
- Fraud protection and free credit score access
To learn more, check out our full review of the Discover it® Student Cash Back.
Learn more: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover it Miles
Best for: Those who want to earn solid rewards on everyday purchases
Current welcome offer: Receive an unlimited match on all miles you earn in your first cardholder year (no spending requirement).
This is the same offer we've seen on this card for a long time, so we don't recommend waiting for a different one.
Annual fee: $0
Key benefits:
- 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Capital One Travel
- 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Access to Capital One Offers
- Fraud protection and free credit score access
To learn more, check out our full review of the Discover it® Miles .
Learn more: Discover it® Miles
Discover it Chrome
Best for: Those who spend a moderate amount on gas and dining and don't have another card that earns bonus rewards on these categories
Current welcome offer: Receive an unlimited dollar-for-dollar cash-back match for your first cardholder year (no spending requirement).
We don't expect this offer to change any time soon, so we recommend applying now.
Annual fee: $0
Key benefits:
- 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Capital One Travel
- 5% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Access to Capital One Offers
- Fraud protection and free credit score access
To learn more, check out our full review of the Discover it® Chrome.
Learn more: Discover it® Chrome
Discover it Student Chrome
Best for: Students who spend a lot on gas and dining
Current welcome offer: Receive an unlimited dollar-for-dollar cash-back match for your first cardholder year (no spending requirement).
We don't expect this offer to change any time soon, so now is a great time to apply.
Annual fee: $0
Key benefits:
- 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Capital One Travel
- 5% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Access to Capital One Offers
- Fraud protection and free credit score access
To learn more, check out our full review of the Discover it® Student Chrome.
Learn more: Discover it® Student Chrome
Which Discover card is right for you?
Discover's cards are geared toward cash-back fans and anyone looking to build or repair credit. While you won't find comprehensive travel benefits or merchant statement credits on any of their cards, that may be a welcome sight for some.
Since all of Discover's cards have very similar perks, your choice will come down to which card's earning rates you prefer. If you're a student, you'll likely be best off with one of the issuer's student cards, since those should be the easiest to get approved for among the cards mentioned here.
Who is eligible for a Discover card?
As with any credit card, Discover may consider several factors when deciding whether to approve your application. These may include your credit score and previous history with the issuer.
It's worth noting that Discover doesn't require a credit score for its two student cards, making either a great choice for those who are eligible. You'll need to be a student enrolled at least part-time at a college or university and be at least 18 years old to qualify.
For any of its credit cards, Discover will require some form of income to get approved. If you're applying for one of its standard credit cards, expect a full-time job to be the requirement for approval. If you're applying for a student card, Discover states that a part-time job may qualify.
If you're a student and you don't have a job right now, consider asking a family member to add you as an authorized user on their card. Otherwise, you'll need to wait until you have income to get your own credit card.
Significant savings could also qualify you for a credit card, but keep in mind that you'll need a balance in the tens of thousands to make this a workable alternative.
Bottom line
If you're looking for a simple cash-back card to add to your wallet or you need a solid option for building credit, it's worth considering a Discover card. Since all Discover cards have no annual fee, they're easy to justify keeping over the long term.
With all Discover products migrating over to Capital One's network, any Discover card you apply for now will be on Capital One's network. That means you'll enjoy additional benefits on your card, including access to Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment, as well as boosted earnings on these purchases through these two portals.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.