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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
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Discover it® Student Chrome Review

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
LendingTree's Review

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

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.
4.2
Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Chrome
Intro Purchase APR
0% Intro APR for 6 months
Rewards Rate
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
Ongoing APR
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It was not reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

Key Takeaway

The Discover it® Student Chrome card is a good option if you’re a student looking to build or establish credit. It offers elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants and an unlimited cash back match at the end of your first year for new card members for a $0 annual fee. However, there are more valuable student cards, including the Discover it® Student Cash Back.

Pros and cons

  • $0 annual fee
  • Elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants
  • Unlimited cash back match for the first year for new cardholders
  • Intro purchase APR
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus
  • $1,000 quarterly cap on higher rewards rate
  • Other purchases only earn 1% cash back
  • No 0% intro APR on balance transfers

Is the Discover it® Student Chrome good?

The Discover it® Student Chrome is a good credit card for students — especially those commuting to campus or dining out frequently — who are just beginning their credit journeys. The card also offers great credit-building benefits, like free access to your FICO® credit score — and all for a $0 annual fee. Plus, you won’t pay interest on purchases during the promotional period.

Still, although this card does offer decent value to students looking for a starter credit card, there are other student cards that can offer even more value when it comes to rewards. For example, the Discover it® Student Cash Back offers the chance to 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. That’s an additional $300 a year in cash back rewards if you hit the quarterly max.


 

How much does it cost to own?*

The average cardholder will pay $0 in annual fees and will earn around $90 in cash back in the first year.

Rewards breakdown

Estimated spendingCash back earned
2% on restaurants$545$10.90
2% on gas$387$7.74
1% on other purchases$2,668$26.68
Cash back match$45.32
Total$90.64

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Looking for a more rewarding student credit card? See our list of best student credit cards.

Quick facts

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Sign-up bonus: 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! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Rewards: 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.
  • Intro purchase APR: 0% Intro APR for 6 months
  • Intro balance transfer APR: 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
  • Regular purchase and balance transfer APR: 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
  • Balance transfer fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
  • Foreign transaction fee: None
  • Other benefits: Reports your credit history to all three major credit bureaus, which can help you build credit, Free Social Security number alerts, No late fee the first time you pay late and Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
  • Recommended credit: Limited / Fair

Discover it® Student Chrome benefits

  • Elevated cash back at gas stations and restaurants

    The Discover it® Student Chrome lets you 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. If you max out the $1,000 spend cap each quarter, you can earn $20 cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases. Cash back can be redeemed for cash, gift cards or Amazon.com and Paypal purchases, or donated to a charitable cause.

    These are excellent rewards for a starter credit card. But, as you can see from our estimates below, there are several cards that have higher earning potential, including the Discover it® Student Cash Back.

  • Unlimited cash back match for new cardholders

    The Discover it® Student Chrome offers a unique sign-up bonus: 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! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.

    For example, if you earn $20 cash back on gas and restaurant purchases each quarter, you’ll receive $80 cash back at the end of the year. Once you factor in the cash back match, that amount jumps to $160 for the first year of card membership. Just keep in mind that the cash back match only applies to the first year of card membership.

    This is an excellent sign-up bonus for a beginner credit card (many of which don’t have any sign-up bonus), especially if you max out the quarterly maximum your first year. However, you can find better offers here and there. For example, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

  • Intro purchase APR

    If you need to finance a large purchase, such as a laptop or textbooks, you can do so interest free for half a year with the Discover it® Student Chrome. The card offers a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. After that, an ongoing 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR applies. However, you won’t find an intro APR for balance transfers.

    This is a decent intro APR for a student credit card. But if you have good / excellent credit, there are a few cards that offer longer intro APRs. For example, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students has:

    • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. Then a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR applies.
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days Then a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on balance transfers applies.

    The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students and Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students have similar offers.

  • Good credit building card

    Unlike some other student cards, the Discover it® Student Chrome card is available if you have a lower credit score or haven’t established credit yet. Plus, it’s loaded with features to help you build a strong credit history:

    • Credit reporting to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — so your timely payments can help build your credit history
    • Free access to your FICO® Score to monitor your progress
    • Complimentary daily monitoring of your Experian® credit report, to flag problems before they seriously impact your score

Discover it® Student Chrome drawbacks

  • Quarterly maximum on higher rewards rate

    With the Discover it® Student Chrome, you can only earn the elevated cash back rate on gas station and restaurant purchases on the first $1,000 each quarter. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.

    If you plan to spend more than $1,000 each quarter, there are cards that offer elevated rewards without a quarterly maximum. For example, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a high rewards rate in several categories with no cap on how much you can earn at that rate. And if you don’t spend heavily on gas and restaurants, a card that earns the same on every purchase — like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card — may be a better fit.

  • No 0% intro APR on balance transfers

    If you need to transfer a balance from a higher-interest credit card, you won’t be able to do so interest free with the Discover it® Student Chrome. That said, the card does offer a slightly lower introductory APR on balance transfers: 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months, then an ongoing 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR applies.

    If you’re planning to do a balance transfer, a card with a 0% intro APR for balance transfers can give you a longer period of time to pay off your balance interest free. The BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students offers a long 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then a 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR.

Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back

| Disclosures
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover it® Student Cash Back
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on Discover's secure site
Rates & Fees
0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
$0
Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the
  • INTRO 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! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.74% - 26.74% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
600 660
Limited / Fair

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.


The Discover it® Student Cash Back card is another student credit card option issued by Discover. It offers better rewards than the Discover it® Student Chrome card, if you’re willing to activate new categories each quarter. You can 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. Categories may include restaurants, drugstores, gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and more.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers the same cash back match offer in your first-year of card ownership as the Discover it® Student Chrome card. You’ll also get a 0% Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. Then, a 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR applies.

Compare what you can save the first year of owning each card

Discover it® Student Chrome: $90.64*
Discover it® Student Cash Back: $118.96*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

| Disclosures
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site
Rates & Fees
N/A
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$0
3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
  • Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
  • Build your credit with responsible card use
  • Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
  • For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
600 660
Limited / Fair

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.


The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent cash back card that offers a generous rewards rate in several categories with no quarterly caps or rotating categories to keep track of.

You’ll get 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.

If the categories align with your spending habits, this card can offer more value than the Discover it® Student Chrome.

Compare what you can save the first year of owning each card

Discover it® Student Chrome: $90.64*
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: $128.69*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

| Disclosures
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students*
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR
$0
3% cash back in the category of your choice. 2% cash back
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent
*The information related to the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.


The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is near the top of our list of most rewarding cards for building credit. It allows you to earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice. 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases. 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, there’s a generous sign-up bonus.

This card is a better choice if you’re looking to finance a large purchase or do a balance transfer, as you’ll get a 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days. Then, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR. This can provide more savings on interest compared to the Discover it® Student Chrome card.

However, you’ll need good/excellent to qualify for this card. If you’re still in the early stages of establishing credit, you may be better off with the Discover it® Student Chrome card, since it doesn’t require a credit score to apply.

Compare what you can save the first year of owning each card

Discover it® Student Chrome: $90.64*
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students: $256.37*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Is the Discover it® Student Chrome right for you?

If you spend a lot on dining and gas, the Discover it® Student Chrome card can provide an opportunity to earn a generous amount of rewards. Plus, you’ll get a cash back match at the end of your first year, doubling your earnings. This card is also a good option for building credit, as it reports your account activity to the three major credit bureaus.

But, if you’re looking to earn more cash back, there are cards like the Discover it® Student Cash Back card and Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card that offer a higher rate. Or, if you’re hoping to use your card to finance a large purchase or do a balance transfer, a card with an interest-free period like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students might be better.

Want to compare student credit cards?

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The information related to the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students and BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students has been 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.