Best Discover Credit Cards of 2023

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Discover offers a wide range of credit cards for different types of consumers, and its cards have a lot going for them. Discover credit cards never come with an annual fee, and offer online privacy protection, identity protection perks like Social Security Number monitoring, and free overnight card replacement in the event your card is lost or stolen.

Best Discover Credit Cards of 2023

• Discover it® Cash Back: Best for bonus cash back
• Discover it® Miles: Best for travel
• Discover it® Chrome: Best for gas and dining
• Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for students
• Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for lower credit scores
• Discover it® Balance Transfer: Best for balance transfers

Discover cards don't offer a traditional welcome bonus — instead, Discover will match all the rewards you've earned at the end of your first cardmember year through the Discover Cashback Match program. There's no limit to the rewards you earn or the amount Discover will match after the first year.

Here are the best Discover cards for 2023.

Best Discover Credit Cards 

Discover Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Discover Credit Card Reviews

Discover it Cash Back

The Discover it Cash Back is similar to the Chase Freedom Flex℠ in that it lets you earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter in bonus categories once activated (then 1%) (from July 1 to September 30, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Gas Stations and Digital Wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). 

Discover has released its cash back calendar through the third quarter of 2023. From July 1 to September 30, 2023, the categories are gas stations and digital wallets.

New cardholders also get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR), which can save some cash if you want to spread out payments for large purchases. Read our Discover it Cash Back card review to learn more.

Discover it Miles

The Discover it® Miles keeps things simple by earning 1.5 miles for each dollar you spend, and remember that all your miles will be matched after the first year. From there, you can redeem them for travel purchases charged to your card at a rate of 1 cent per mile.

You can also redeem miles for cash back or statement credits to cover other charges made to your card, so you aren't tied down to just travel redemptions. There is no annual fee to keep this card, and you can get access to your FICO score for free on your monthly statements. 

The Discover it® Miles also comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR. Read our Discover it Miles review to learn more.

Discover it Chrome Card

If you're looking for a Discover card and spend a lot at gas stations and restaurants, the Discover it® Chrome is worth considering. Cardholders earn 2% cash back on their first $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter (then 1%), and all other purchases earn 1% back, with no limits or bonus categories to keep track of.

Keep in mind there are cards from other issuers, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, that earn 2% cash rewards on purchases. 

Like other Discover cards, the Discover it® Chrome offers a Cashback Match after the first 12 months of opening the account. New cardholders can take advantage of a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR). You can find out all the details in our Discover it® Chrome review.

Discover it Student Cash Back

The Discover it Student Cash Back is basically a student version of the Discover it Cash Back. You'll earn the same 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in rotating quarterly bonus categories after activation, then 1%. You'll also earn 1% cash back on everything else you buy (from July 1 to September 30, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Gas Stations and Digital Wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

There aren't many student credit cards that come with an introductory APR, but the Discover it Student Cash Back offers a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases, followed by a 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR. You might want to take advantage of this if you have big expenses, like textbooks or dorm decor, that you can't pay off all at once.

It may be easier to qualify for this card with limited credit history. Read our Discover it Student Cash Back card review for more info. And if you're torn between Discover's two student cards, read our comparison of the Discover it Student Cash Back and Student Chrome for a deeper dive into the differences.

Discover it Secured Card

Where many secured credit cards charge annual fees, application fees, and other fees, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card doesn't charge any fees. You do have to put down a cash deposit to get started, but your deposit is fully refundable provided you close your account in good standing.

You'll also earn 2% cash back on the first $1,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter (then 1%), as well as 1% back on everything else you buy. Like other rewards from Discover, you can earn unlimited cash back that never expires and redeem it for cash back, statement credits, and gift cards.

You can get free access to your FICO score on your credit card statement each month, which can help you monitor and improve your credit over time. Further, you won't pay a late fee on your first late payment, and there aren't any over-the-limit fees with this card, either. Automatic reviews start at seven months to see if Discover can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.

Read our Discover it Secured credit card review to learn more.

Discover it Balance Transfer

If you're carrying high-interest balances on other credit cards, it can make sense to transfer your balance to a card with a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. The Discover it® Balance Transfer is one of only a handful of cards that offers a long intro 0% APR period and earns substantial rewards.

New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months and on purchases for six months (after that, there's a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR) — and the card offers a generous cash-back rewards structure. You'll earn 5% cash back in popular rotating quarterly bonus categories after enrollment, on up to $1,500 in combined spending (then 1%), and 1% back on all other purchases (from July 1 to September 30, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Gas Stations and Digital Wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

The card offers the same Cashback Match program as other Discover cards.

Read our Discover it Balance Transfer card review to learn more (and check out our picks for the best balance transfer credit cards). 

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Discover Credit Cards

We evaluated Discover's credit card lineup and looked at several factors:

• Earning potential — Does the card earn cash back or other rewards, and does it offer appealing bonus categories and a competitive rewards rate?
• Ease of use — Are there restrictions to be aware of, and is the rewards program easy to understand?
• Options for various types of consumers — We selected a variety of cards geared to different types of spenders, including students, credit card beginners, and those looking for an introductory 0% APR.

Here's a closer look at how we rate credit cards at Insider.

If you're thinking of applying for a Discover credit card and wondering which one suits your needs best, you'll need to consider what you hope to gain and the type of customer you are. 

Discover credit cards also make things easy by letting you redeem your rewards at any time you want, and in $1 increments. Depending on the card, redemption options can include applying your rewards to your Discover statement or depositing them into your bank account, as well as cashing in rewards for gift cards, charity donations, and at checkout with Amazon and PayPal.

And as a Discover cardholder, you get free access to your FICO score.

Discover also offers the following products:

• Discover Personal Loan Review
• Discover Student Loan Review
• Discover Bank Review
• Discover Savings Account Review
• Discover CD Rates
• Discover Home Loans

Holly Johnson

Freelance Writer

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. In addition to serving as contributing editor for The Simple Dollar and writing for publications such as Bankrate, U.S. News and World Report Travel, and Travel Pulse, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love."

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Jasmin Baron

Editor

Jasmin Baron was an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Personal Finance Insider. Before joining the Insider team, she was a senior editor at The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets, covering credit cards, points and miles, and loyalty programs. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »

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Angela Fung

Marketing Compliance Manager

Angela Fung is the marketing compliance manager at Personal Finance Insider, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice. She is the primary contact for credit cards compliance and has experience managing content and partnerships for the banking, loans, and investment verticals as well.  The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.

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