Types of Discover credit cards
Discover has a diverse credit card lineup, all of which offer purchase rewards that can be redeemed for cash or statement credits. Plus, Discover card benefits are available with all cards. However, each card has its own niche, offering specific perks for cardholders.
Cash back rewards cards
Most of Discover's credit cards offer cash back rewards, but how you earn those rewards varies based on the individual card. Discover card cash back rewards can be redeemed in a few different ways:
- As cash in your bank account
- As a statement credit to pay off your card balance
- At checkout with partner retailers
- For a gift card with select retailers
- As a donation to eligible charities
Take a look at our guide on how to redeem rewards on Discover credit cards for more details.
Some Discover card rewards categories rotate, providing a 5% Cashback Bonus® on up to $1,500 in purchases in the current bonus categories. Bonus categories change each quarter, and you'll need to activate your bonus categories to earn the 5% back. You can see the current bonus categories by checking the Discover cash back calendar.
In addition to rotating rewards cards, Discover also has several cards with static bonus categories. These cards earn flat-rate rewards in fixed categories that cover popular types of everyday purchases.
Travel rewards cards
There is only one card marketed as the Discover travel card -- the Discover it® Miles -- which earns unlimited 1.5X Miles per $1 on purchases. Miles can be redeemed in several ways, including for cash and as statement credit to cover travel-related purchases made with your Discover card. You'll earn $0.01 per mile when you redeem your rewards.
While other Discover cards aren't specifically designed to be travel credit cards, all of Discover's lineup charges a 0% foreign transaction fee. This means you can use the best Discover credit card on your travels without worrying about paying a foreign transaction fee on purchases in a foreign currency.
Secured credit cards
Discover has one of the best secured credit cards you can find, loaded with perks that are rare for secured cards. For one thing, it doesn't have any annual fee, and it also doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. Plus, you'll earn rewards on purchases, a rarity in the secured card market.
The security deposit requirement is competitively low and completely refundable, and it sets your credit limit. Discover will start evaluating your progress after eight months, and eligible cardholders could be automatically upgraded to an unsecured card. You can also track your credit score the entire time with a free monthly FICO® Score.
Balance transfer cards
Discover has one credit card specifically marketed for balance transfers: Discover it® Chrome. This card offers a long introductory 0% intro APR on balance transfers. It also comes with an introductory deal for the balance transfer fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*. Your interest rate returns to a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR after the intro period expires.
While not advertised for transfers, several other Discover credit cards also come with some type of 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers. And you can save on interest for new purchases, as most Discover credit cards come with an intro 0% intro APR deal for purchases. The go-to variable rate applies for these, too, after the intro period.
Student cards
Discover offers not one, but two different student credit cards. Discover's student credit cards are designed to help college students start building credit, and they have no credit score or credit history requirements to qualify.
You also won't need to pay any fees to open an account or pay annual fees to keep it open. Additionally, every Discover student credit cardholder will earn cash back rewards on new purchases, with the type of rewards varying depending on which student card you pick.