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Discover it Chrome Review: Is it the Best Credit Card for You?
If you're looking for a simple, no-hassle cash-back credit card, the Discover it® Chrome might be a decent option for you. Discover cards don't charge an annual fee, though you may end up paying in other ways, namely in the form of a lower return on your spending.
The Discover it® Chrome offers 2% cash back on your first $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter (then 1%), meaning you could end up with an extra $20 in your wallet if you max out that category. Other than that you'll earn a fixed 1% cash back on all purchases, with no other caps or bonus categories to worry about. You'll also get a Cashback Match (effectively doubling your rewards) after your first account year).
This card is best for someone who doesn't spend a ton on their credit cards and is looking for a simple option to earn rewards. If you're just making the switch from debit to credit or are still in the process of building your credit history, Discover can be a good option.
However, if you're a big spender, frequently spend in popular bonus categories (like dining, gas, groceries, etc.), or are looking for the option to earn flexible and valuable travel rewards, you're likely better off with a different card. After your first-year Cashback Match ends, you'll be earning a flat 1% on most purchases with the Discover it® Chrome card.
And even if you don't want to pay an annual fee, there are a couple of no-annual-fee cards worth considering — such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Citi® Double Cash Card — that offer higher rewards at no extra cost.
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Discover it Chrome Rewards
How to Earn Rewards
You'll earn cash-back rewards every time you pay with the Discover it® Chrome. You'll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter, then 1%), and 1% back on all other purchases.
The quarterly cap on bonus rewards is on the low side, since you can't earn bonus cash back on more than $1,000 per quarter. If you spend a lot more on gas stations and restaurants each quarter, you may want to consider a card that doesn't cap bonus rewards on these spending categories.
How to Redeem Rewards
Discover makes it easy to redeem your cash back, either as a statement credit or at checkout when shopping with Amazon or Paypal. One side note — even if you plan to use your rewards to cover a purchase made with Amazon or PayPal, you should charge that to your card and then redeem your points as a statement credit so you earn cash back on the purchase.
Unlike some cards, there's no minimum amount required because every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem. If you close your account or don't use your card for 18 months, Discover will automatically redeem your rewards as a statement credit for you.
You can also use your rewards (starting at $5) for gift cards or eCertificates from partner merchants. In addition, you can donate your rewards to select charities, with a minimum donation of 1 cent.
How Much Are Rewards Worth?
No matter which Discover card you have, your cash back or Discover miles are worth 1 cent apiece. While the downside is that other cards can get you significantly more value for your rewards, the upside is that there's never any guesswork when it comes to whether redeeming your Discover rewards is a good idea. You can rest easy knowing you'll always get 1 cent per mile in value no matter how you use them.
Discover it Chrome Card Benefits and Features
In the world of credit card rewards the mantra "you get what you pay for" is pretty applicable, so don't expect too many benefits from a card that doesn't charge an annual fee. However, there are a few useful benefits with the Discover it® Chrome.
Intro APR Offer
The Discover it® Chrome has a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR). If you're actively trying to pay down your credit card debt, a 0% APR offer like this can help give you some room to breathe while you make a plan. Just make sure you can pay your balance off by the end of the intro period, otherwise you'll be hit with high interest rates for paying off the remaining balance.
Discover Cashback Match
While many credit cards will throw tens of thousands of bonus miles or hundreds of dollars in cash at new applicants (after meeting certain spending thresholds), Discover offers a welcome bonus that's much better tailored to those who can't meet a high spending requirement in a short time frame.
Most Discover cards, including the Discover it® Chrome, offer Discover Cashback Match. As the name would suggest, at the end of your first year of card membership Discover will match all the cash back you earned. This includes the 2% cash back earned at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000) and the 1% earned on all other purchases.
Ultimately you'll need to take a look at your own spending patterns and decide how much this offer is worth to you. That's sort of a theme with Discover cards as a whole, as they require careful analysis to determine whether this is the best offer for you. For some, you may be better off paying an annual fee for a more rewarding cash-back card or focusing your earning efforts elsewhere.
No Foreign Transaction Fee
Meanwhile, it's fairly common for no-annual-fee cards to charge a ~3% fee on foreign transactions, but the lack of any such fee makes the Discover it® Chrome a good option to take with you when you travel.
Cardholders also get:
- Unique designs: You can choose between more than two dozen different designs, so you have a credit card that suits your style
- Security features: If you misplace your card or are worried about fraud, you can freeze your account— and Discover can also search the web for security breaches where your Social Security number was disclosed
- FICO credit score: Discover offers a real, free FICO credit score that it uses to approve accounts, set interest rates, and choose account limits
Discover it Chrome Annual Fee and Other Costs
The Discover it® Chrome doesn't charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and you won't pay a late fee on the first occurrence, but you will for any of the following times you pay late.
New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR. The following fees also apply:
- Late payment fee
- Intro balance transfer fee
- Returned payment fee
- Cash advance fee
How the Discover it Chrome Compares
Discover it Chrome vs Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it® Cash Back is one of the best Discover credit cards, and its main difference is how it earns cash back. Instead of offering bonus cash back in categories that never change, it has quarterly bonus categories, where you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter in the applicable categories (previous categories have included Amazon, grocery stores, and gas stations) after you activate (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%). Once you max out the $1,500 cap, you'll earn 1% back. Outside of the quarterly bonus categories, you'll earn 1% back on all other spending.
The Discover it® Cash Back has a higher quarterly bonus spending threshold ($1,500 vs $1,000 on the Discover it® Chrome), so you'll want to consider which card will be more rewarding based on your spending. Both cards charge no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee, and both cards have intro APR offers. Read our Discover it Cash Back review to learn more.
Discover it Chrome vs Capital One Quicksilver Card
Another cash-back card to consider is the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. Like the Discover it® Chrome, it has no annual fee and comes with an intro APR offer (then 19.99% - 29.99% Variable). However, with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card there are no bonus categories; instead, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no cap. If you don't want to worry about bonus categories, this flat rewards rate could be attractive.
You'll also earn an unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, which may or may not be useful depending on how you usually book travel. Read our Capital One Quicksilver Card review for more info.
Discover it Chrome vs Other Discover Cards
Discover it® Chrome | Discover it® Cash Back | Discover it® Miles | |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Rewards rate | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%) 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases | 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined spending when you activate (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%) 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases | 1.5x miles on all purchases |
Welcome bonus | None, but Discover offers Dollar for Dollar match of all cash back earned the first year | None, but Discover offers Dollar for Dollar match of all cash back earned the first year | None, but Discover will match all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year. |
Card benefits | Free FICO score | Free FICO score | Free FICO score |
Introductory 0% APR offer
| 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR |
Foreign transaction fee | No | No | No |
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Discover it Chrome vs Other Cash-back Credit Cards
Discover it® Chrome | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Citi® Double Cash Card | |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Rewards rate | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%) 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases | 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3% cash back (3x points) on dining and drugstore purchases 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on everything else | 1% cash back when you buy, plus 1% cash back when you pay your bill |
Welcome bonus | None, but Discover offers Dollar for Dollar match of all cash back earned the first year | 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back) | N/A |
Card benefits | Free FICO score | Extended warranty Secondary car rental insurance Trip interruption/cancellation insurance Travel and emergency assistance services | Access to Citi Entertainment |
Introductory 0% APR offer | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable | 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable |
Foreign transaction fee | No | Yes | Yes |
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Discover it Chrome Frequently Asked Questions
The credit limit on the Discover it® Chrome starts at $500, but you could have a higher limit based on your credit score and other factors. Your credit limit could also increase over time if you pay your balance in full each month and improve your credit score.
To qualify for the Discover it® Chrome, you'll typically need a credit score that's in the good to excellent range. A good credit score translates to 670 or above with the FICO model, and 661 or above with the VantageScore model.
The Discover it® Chrome earns you 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. You'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The main difference between the Discover it® Cash Back and the Discover it® Chrome is how they earn rewards. With the Discover it® Cash Back, you'll earn 5% cash back on bonus categories that change each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). With the Discover it® Chrome, the bonus categories of gas stations and restaurants never change, but there is a slightly lower cap on bonus earning: You'll earn 2% back on combined purchases each quarter, and 1% back on all other purchases.
Methodology: How We Reviewed the Discover it Chrome Card
We evaluate credit cards by comparing their features to other similar cards, paying particular attention to the following factors:
- Annual fee
- Welcome bonus (if any)
- Rewards
- Benefits
- Ease of use
Learn more about our approach to reviewing credit cards on our credit card rating methodology page.
When considering whether or not Discover is right for you, consider its additional product lines:
- Discover Personal Loan Review
- Discover Student Loan Review
- Discover Bank Review
- Discover Savings Account Review
- Discover CD Rates
- Discover Home Loans Review
What Cards Compete With the Discover it Chrome Card?
Cards that don't charge an annual fee tend to be lighter on both perks and bonus categories, but there are two that come to mind that give the Discover it® Chrome a real run for its money.
The first is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, one of the first cards I ever got and to this day one of my personal favorites. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a welcome bonus of 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back) and earns 5% back on travel purchases through Chase, 3% on dining and drug stores, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. While it's billed as a cash-back card, it earns rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
You'd need to spend a whopping $20,000 in your first year with the Discover it® Chrome to earn $200 in bonus cash back (on top of what you'd earn from regular spending) via the Cashback Match.
If you also have a Chase travel credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can move points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to one of these cards and unlock the ability to transfer them to Chase's impressive collection of airline and hotel partners. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable).
The next contender is the Citi® Double Cash Card, which has long been used as a litmus test to judge other no-annual-fee cash-back cards. As the name suggests, the card offers 2% cash back on all purchases (1% at the time of purchase and another 1% when you pay your bill). Citi now lets you convert these rewards to Citi ThankYou Points which you can redeem for travel, meaning that, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can decide whether to pocket your cash-back rewards or use the points to help jumpstart your next great adventure.
The Citi® Double Cash Card currently offers an introductory 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable).
For rates and fees of Discover it® Chrome, please click here.
For rates and fees of Discover it® Cash Back, please click here.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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