Discover it® Cash Back is a rotating-category cash back credit card built around a simple hook.
You earn cash back during the year, then Discover matches what you earned at the end of your first year as a new cardmember.
Discover describes this as an automatic, dollar-for-dollar Cashback Match with no stated cap on the match amount.
How Does Discover It Cash Back Work?
You can earn 5% cash back in changing categories each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, as long as you activate the category.
You earn 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.
The first-year match works by matching “all the cash back you’ve earned” from approval through your first 12 consecutive billing periods.
Adding the match to your rewards account within two billing periods. Your account must be open and in good standing to receive the match.
Interest Rates and Key Fees to Know
Discover’s pricing can vary by applicant, so it helps to look at the published rate ranges and the “avoid interest” rule before applying.
- Purchase APR: Discover lists 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening, then a 17.49% to 26.49% variable APR based on creditworthiness.
- Balance transfers: Discover lists 0% intro APR for 15 months on qualifying transfers that post by a stated date, then the same 17.49% to 26.49% variable APR range.
- Cash advances: Discover lists a 28.49% variable APR.
- Late fee: Discover states no late fee the first time you pay late, and then up to $41 after that.
- Balance transfer fee: Discover lists an intro fee of 3% for transfers that post by the offer date, then 5% for later transfers.
- Grace period concept: Discover states your due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing period, and that you can avoid interest on purchases by paying your entire balance by the due date each month.
Discover It Cash Back Application: What to Prepare
You can apply for most Discover credit cards online and also by phone, and applicants must be 18 and older for standard offers.
A practical prep list usually includes: your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, U.S. address, income details, and housing costs.
Discover states federal law requires certain identity details such as date of birth and street address to verify identity.
Applying and Then Getting Ready to Use The Card
Discover’s application flow is designed for web/mobile completion, and also supports applying by phone through its main number.
If approved, you’ll receive a cardmember agreement and can set up online access to monitor rewards and payments.
Activate the 5% category each quarter. The rate applies when you activate, up to the quarterly cap.
Discover ties Cashback Match to your first 12 consecutive billing periods (or 365 days), then posts the match within two billing periods.
Discover It Cash Back Credit Limit: What to Expect
Applicants may not request a specific credit line.
If approved, the credit line will be at least $500, and the final amount depends on the information in your application and your consumer report.
For increases later, you can request a credit line increase by calling its customer service number,
There is an online/app path inside the Account Center under “Credit Line Increase.”
How to Get the Most Value From the First Year Match
Yu earn cash back normally, then get it matched at the end of year one.
That makes your first-year effective return look like “double” what you earned, but only within that first-year window.
Practical ways to maximize value without changing your budget:
- Plan purchases around the rotating 5% categories and activate each quarter early so eligible purchases count toward the cap. Discover sets the cap at $1,500 per quarter for the 5% category purchases.
- Don’t carry a balance if you can avoid it. Discover’s purchase APR range after the intro period is high enough that interest can wipe out rewards if balances linger.
- Redeem during the year if you want. Discover states you can redeem cash back during the year and still receive the full match at the end of the first year.
Is Discover It Cash Back a Good Credit Card?
“Is discover it cash back a good credit card” depends on how you spend and how you pay.
The card tends to fit best for people who (1) can use the rotating categories, (2) will reliably activate them, and (3) plan to pay on time.
While the published APR ranges show the cost side if balances are carried after intro periods.
Discover Cards
Here’s a short comparison table of Discover it® Cash Back vs. other popular Discover cards.
| Card | Rewards (high level) | First-year match? | Intro APR on purchases | Ongoing Purchase APR (variable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it® Cash Back | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (activation required) + 1% on other purchases | Cashback Match at end of first year | 0% for 15 months | 17.49%–26.49% |
| Discover it® Chrome | 2% at gas stations & restaurants (up to $1,000 combined per quarter) + 1% other purchases | Cashback Match | 0% for 15 months | 17.49%–26.49% |
| Discover it® Miles | 1.5x miles per $1 on purchases (each mile = $0.01) | Discover Match® (miles match) | 0% for 15 months | 17.49%–26.49% |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | 5% rotating quarterly categories (activation required) + 1% other purchases | Cashback Match | 0% for 15 months | 17.49%–26.49% |
| Discover it® Secured | 2% at gas stations & restaurants (up to $1,000 combined per quarter) + 1% other purchases | Cashback Match | No intro APR shown on the rates page (standard purchase APR applies) | 27.24% |
Discover Contact Details (phone and address)
Discover publishes these customer service contacts for credit cards:
Phone (24/7): 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683).
Mail (general inquiries): Discover, P.O. Box 30943, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0943.
Corporate address (Discover Financial Services): 2500 Lake Cook Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015.
Conclusion
Discover it® Cash Back is structured around rotating 5% categories, a 1% base rate, and a first-year Cashback Match.
Discover lists a 0% intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers, so the math works best when balances are paid in full by the due date.
If you want to move forward, start by reviewing the current rates/fees page and completing your discover it cash back application.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Rates, fees, offers, and eligibility rules can change, and Discover notes offer terms may change after the stated “as of” date. Always confirm current terms directly with Discover before applying and before making spending or balance-transfer decisions.
