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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.One of the most rewarding benefits of the Discover it® Chrome is its welcome 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.
Most no-annual-fee rewards cards offer a capped $200 or $300 welcome bonus, but the Discover it® Chrome gives you the chance to potentially earn more.
One of the downsides of the card is its cap on elevated rewards — you’ll only earn $20 in cash back per quarter on gas stations and restaurants combined. If you’re looking to earn a higher cash back rate on rotating quarterly categories, the Discover it® Cash Back may be a better fit. You’ll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Intro Purchase APR
0% Intro APR for 6 months
Regular Purchase APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Intro BT APR
0% Intro APR for 18 months
Regular BT APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Advance Fee
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Gas and restaurant rewards
Cardholders earn 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. Purchases made at merchants classified as gas stations and full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias and fast-food locations qualify for the higher rewards rate, while those made at warehouse clubs, wholesale distributors and discount stores do not.
Rewards never expire and can be redeemed for statement credits, electronic deposits to your bank account, charitable donations, gift cards or Amazon and PayPal purchases.
Just know, there are rewards credit cards available that offer up to 2% cash back or more on every purchase you make, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
Potentially valuable welcome offer
For new cardmembers, there’s a unique welcome 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.
If you max out the $1,000 spending limit each quarter by making $1,000 in gas station and restaurant purchases, you’ll earn $80 cash back on those purchases at the end of the year. Once you factor in the cash back match bonus, that amount jumps to $160.
After the first year of having the card, the Discover cash back match bonus ends.
Long intro APR period on balance transfers
For balance transfers, the Discover it® Chrome offers a 0% Intro APR for 18 months, after which a 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR applies.
$0 annual fee
The Discover it® Chrome comes with a $0 annual fee. It also charges no foreign transaction fee, so this card is light on fees overall.
Spending cap on higher rewards rate
With the Discover it® Chrome, cardholders are limited to earning the higher rewards rate to the first $1,000 in combined gas station and restaurant purchases each quarter.
If you want to earn more cash back on every purchase, a card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which lets you earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, could be a better fit.
Low general rewards rate
If you’re a foodie and a road warrior, the Discover it® Chrome could work fine for you, but it’s possible to earn higher rewards rates on dining and gas. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Plus, it has a stellar rewards program: Earn 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Balance transfer fee
The Discover it® Chrome charges a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.
It’s worth noting that a 3% fee is pretty standard on balance transfer cards, and you may still end up saving money compared to what you’d pay in interest charges. Just make sure to do the math and ascertain whether the transfer is worth it for your financial situation.
Welcome offer isn't earned quickly
The Discover it® Chrome‘s welcome offer is unique and can be more valuable than other cards if you spend enough. However, you won’t see your cash back bonus until after a year of having the card.
Many other cards allow you to earn your welcome bonus after just three to six months.
The main difference between the Discover it® Chrome and Discover it® Cash Back is instead of a flat cash back rate and elevated earning in gas stations and restaurants, the Discover it® Cash Back offers cash back in popular categories that rotate quarterly. However, the rotating categories require activation.
You’ll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
You have the potential to earn much more cash back each year if you max out the card’s bonus spending limit. The quarterly maximum is $1,500, allowing you to earn up to $75 cash back in the 5% categories each quarter. Purchases over $1,500 in the bonus categories earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
Although it has an annual fee, you can potentially earn more with it than the Discover it® Chrome if you frequently shop at U.S. supermarkets. It has a much higher rewards rate on that category up to $6,000 per year — but also higher rewards on U.S. streaming subscriptions, U.S. gas stations and transit.
If you don’t mind paying an annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is likely a better fit. Plus, it comes with an $84 credit for The Disney Bundle (enrollment required) to help cover the annual fee.
Although the Citi Double Cash® Card can offer unlimited rewards, not earning your rewards all at once can be confusing for cardholders. However, like the Discover it® Chrome card, the Citi Double Cash® Card offers a long intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers; then a 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR applies.
So if you’re looking for a cash back card that you can also use for a balance transfer, the Citi Double Cash® Card may be a good option. If you’re looking for a simpler option, though, the Discover it® Chrome could be best.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Chrome
 Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
$0 | 1% - 2% cash back
| Unlimited Cashback Match
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.
|
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Discover it® Cash Back*
|
$0 | 1% - 5% cash back
| Unlimited Cashback Match
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.
| ||
|
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
|
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 1% - 6% cash back
| $250 statement credit
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
| ||
Citi Double Cash® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
$0 | 2% - 5% cash back
| $200 cash back
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
|
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
If you want to earn rewards on every purchase you make, the Discover it® Chrome card and the Discover it® Cash Back are both solid options. But if you spend a large amount on gas and dining each month, the Discover it® Chrome card may be the best choice.
On the other hand, if you want the opportunity to earn a higher cash back rate in a broader range of categories that rotate each quarter, the Discover it® Cash Back card can help you do that — as long as you activate those categories.
Apply Now
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
The information related to the Discover it® Cash Back and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
