Methodology
The best Discover cards were given rankings based on welcome bonuses, fees, rewards and other perks. What is best for most customers might not be right for you. Conduct informed research before deciding which cards will best help you achieve your financial goals.
- Welcome bonus
- Annual fee and other fees
- Rewards earning
- Intro APR Offers
- Regular APR
- Other benefits
Forbes Advisor reevaluates each credit card list at least every 12 months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to the mentioned cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.
What You’ll Find on All Discover Credit Cards
All Discover cards share many of the same features and benefits, including:
- Fees: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and no penalty fee on your first late payment.
- Cashback Match™: Discover cards are eligible to receive a Cashback Match, meaning that at the end of your first year of card membership, all eligible points earned will be matched.
- Financial protections: Discover cards give you free access to your FICO® Score, as well as a suite of tools to help prevent fraud and identity theft.
- Cash at checkout: Discover cards let you receive cash at checkout from a number of major retailers without incurring cash advance fees or paying a higher interest rate, although you will be charged the card’s standard APR.
Be aware, however, that Discover does not offer many benefits that you might find on other credit cards, such as rental car insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
Discover Credit Card Fees
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% to 5% |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $41. No fee on first late payment. |
What Is the APR for a Discover Credit Card?
The APR for a Discover card depends both on the specific Discover card you apply for as well as your credit profile. In fact, some of the top Discover credit cards also offer appealing introductory APR offers. The potential APRs available for each Discover card currently available are the following:
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best Secured Discover Card
Discover it® Cash Back: Best Discover Card for Earning Bonus Cash Back
Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best Discover Student Card
Discover it® Miles: Best Discover Card for Travel
Discover it® Chrome: Best Discover Card for Road Trips
How To Pick a Discover Credit Card
First, consider any fees, card benefits and potential rewards. Discover makes this easy because all its cards come with the same card benefits and charge no annual fee.
Then, examine your spending to see which card is likely to earn the most when it comes to rewards. If you’re considering applying for a Discover card, first compare additional benefits with cards outside of the Discover network—cards from one issuer often have variations on benefits, and another issuer’s lineup may be more appealing to you.
What's Your Favorite Discover Credit Card and Why?
Clint Proctor
Credit Cards Lead Editor
Toni Perkins-Southam
Credit Cards Lead Editor
Albert Hsieh
Credit Cards Expert
I think the Discover it® Cash Back can be a great addition to any wallet, especially because it complements other rewards cards so well. Regardless of how many (or few) cards you currently have, you can use the Discover it® Cash Back’s rotating categories to fill earnings gaps and maximize rewards in areas where your other cards fall short.
Credit Cards Lead Editor
My favorite Discover card is the Discover it® Miles card. For the first year, you can earn 1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase and a match of those miles earned at the end of the year. The first year mile-for-mile match is huge but then add in the intro APR and you’ve got yourself a fantastic card.
Credit Cards Lead Editor
Discover’s card lineup can be most appreciated for its simplicity. It’s rare to find as many cards with no annual fees, generous Cashback Matches and practical cards designed to help with financial wellness. From student cards to building credit history, Discover’s card lineup allows everyone to participate at any stage of their financial journey.
Credit Cards Expert
How Can I Apply for a Discover Credit Card?
Applying for a Discover credit card is much like applying for any other credit card. The simplest way to apply for a Discover card is to apply online, but you can also call Discover and apply over the phone.
Discover offers a preapproval tool on its website where potential cardholders can provide personal information and see if they’re likely to receive approval. This step will not hurt your credit score, but a prequalification does not guarantee approval for a card.
What credit score do you need for a Discover card?
How can I receive approval for a Discover credit card?
Find The Best Credit Cards For 2025
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
Is a Discover Credit Card Worth It?
Whether a Discover card or another credit card is worth it depends on your circumstances. Since Discover credit cards tend to have earnings caps on their rewards categories, they can be a good fit for those who plan to charge smaller amounts to their credit card and want to avoid an annual fee. If low fees are important to you, a Discover card may prove to be the best option. However, high spenders could likely find more value in one of the top rewards cards from a different issuer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which credit bureau does Discover use?
Though evidence is anecdotal and the bank has not disclosed internal policy on credit checking, based on crowdsourced information, Discover appears to use Equifax most often but also uses Experian or Transunion to pull applicants’ credit. Be sure to check your credit reports with all three major credit bureaus before applying for a new credit card to be sure the issuer pulls an error-free credit report.
Once you are a cardholder, Discover reports account information to the three major credit bureaus once each month, usually on the day that your statement is generated.
Do I need a credit history to apply for a Discover card?
Discover markets specific cards to people with little to no credit history or credit in need of repair. Students can consider the Discover it® Student Cash Back, which is geared toward people with short or nonexistent credit history. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is also an option to consider if you have a short credit history or need to improve your credit.
What is the average credit limit on a Discover card?
Your credit limit is determined by Discover when you are approved for a Discover card. Like other issuers, Discover evaluates several factors, including your credit history, credit score and income. Discover may automatically consider your account for credit limit increases periodically. If you need a higher credit limit, you can call the number on the back of your card and request an account evaluation. One exception, however, is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card where your credit limit is determined by the amount of your deposit.
What is the minimum payment on a Discover card?
We always recommend paying a card in full each billing cycle. Discover, like other card issuers, requires a minimum payment of either a flat amount or a percentage of your card balance. Any past due amount will be added to your minimum payment.
