Discover Bank
Discover it® Cash Back
A no-annual-fee U.S. cashback credit card offering 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories after activation, plus Discover’s first-year Cashback Match for new cardmembers.
Highlights
Main benefits
- $0 annual fee
- 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories after activation
- 5% cashback applies up to the quarterly spending maximum
- 1% cash back on other purchases
- Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of the first year for new cardmembers
- Cashback rewards do not expire for the life of the account
- $0 fraud liability
- Free Social Security number alerts
- Ability to freeze the card from the app or website
- Multiple card design options available
Fees
Fees and charges
Joining fee
$0
Renewal fee
$0 annual fee
Annual fee waiver
Not required because the card has a $0 annual fee.
Who can apply
Eligibility
Best suited for U.S. applicants with fair to good or better credit history, though approval depends on Discover’s review of credit profile, income, debt obligations, identity verification, and other underwriting factors.
Checklist
Documents required
- Government-issued ID
- Social Security Number or ITIN, where applicable
- U.S. residential address
- Income/employment details
- Date of birth
- Contact details
Process
How to apply
1. Visit the official Discover it® Cash Back card page
2. Check current 5% cashback categories, APR, fees, and terms
3. Use pre-approval if available
4. Click “Apply Now”
5. Enter personal, income, and contact details
6. Submit the application and wait for Discover’s decision
Value
Reward and cashback structure
Reward rate
5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when activated;
1% cash back on other purchases;
Discover’s official cashback calendar states the 5% bonus applies on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter when activated.
Cashback
Cashback is earned as Discover Cashback Bonus®. Rewards do not expire for the life of the account.
Good fit
Pros
- No annual fee
- Strong 5% rotating cashback categories
- Excellent first-year value due to Cashback Match
- Good for users who can track quarterly categories
- Rewards do not expire for the life of the account
- Useful security features
- Popular option for beginners and cashback maximizers
- Can pair well with a flat 2% cashback card
Watchouts
Cons
- 5% categories require activation
- 5% cashback is capped each quarter
- Only 1% cashback outside bonus categories
- No airport lounge access
- No premium travel benefits
- Discover acceptance may be lower than Visa or Mastercard outside the U.S.
- Not ideal for users who want fixed high cashback without tracking categories
- Requires U.S. credit eligibility
Related
Related cards
Compare
Compare Cards
| Field | Discover it® Cash Back | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank/provider | Discover Bank | Chase Bank USA |
| Joining fee | $0 | $95 annual fee |
| Renewal fee | $0 annual fee | $95 annual fee |
| Best for | Rotating cashback categories, first-year cashback match, grocery offers, gas offers, shopping offers, users who can activate quarterly categories | Travel rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, dining, hotel bookings, international travel, beginners who want a serious travel card |
| Reward rate |
|
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| Cashback |
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| Lounge access | No Included airport lounge access | No Included airport lounge access |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | Not applicable / No specific fuel surcharge waiver | Not applicable / No specific fuel surcharge waiver |
| Welcome benefit | Unlimited Cashback Match for new cardmembers: Discover automatically matches all the cash back earned at the end of the first year, with no limit to how much it will match | Welcome offer changes over time and may vary by user or channel. A commonly listed recent offer is bonus points after meeting a minimum spend requirement in the first 3 months, so check Chase’s official application page before publishing the exact number |
| Annual fee waiver condition | Not required because the card has a $0 annual fee |
|
| Eligibility | Best suited for U.S. applicants with fair to good or better credit history, though approval depends on Discover’s review of credit profile, income, debt obligations, identity verification, and other underwriting factors |
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| Apply link | Apply | Apply |