INTRODUCTION

The Discover it® Cash Back card is a simple card that focuses on cashback. There is no annual fee, and a generous 15-month 0% APR offer alongside this. 

Bonus cashback is 5% in changing categories. You must manually activate each quarter’s categories to receive the bonus. It takes some effort to track this, and to register each quarter – but this could be worth it for the higher rewards. 

The standard rate of cashback is just 1% - this is available on all spending with no limits. Bonus categories are defined each quarter, and you will earn 5% cashback for spending in these areas, for up to $1,500 total spending per quarter. The categories have so far been defined for 2025 as:

• Quarter 1: Restaurants, home improvement stores, and some streaming services.
• Quarter 2: Grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
• Quarter 3: Gas stations, public transport, and utilities.

Unlike many other cards, there is no fixed sign-up bonus offer. Instead, Discover will match all cashback you earn in your first 12 months — effectively doubling your rewards in year one. This includes the 5% bonus cashback as well as the standard 1% cashback, and there is no limit. 

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MAIN CARD BENEFITS:

No annual fee

15 months 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers.

5% cashback on the first $1,500 in specific categories. These change each quarter.

All other spending (in other categories and above the spending cap) earns cashback at 1%.

All cashback (with no upper limit) is doubled after the first year as a sign-up offer with Cashback Match™

No foreign transaction fees. 

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WHO IS THE CARD FOR:

The Discover it® Cash Back card is good for those looking for the highest cashback rewards – and are comfortable putting in some effort to track and earn it. 

This is a card that would work well alongside other cards as part of a strategy to maximize rewards. The bonus category earnings (especially in the first year) are as high as you will get.

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PROS:

No annual fee and simple ongoing cashback structure.

Excellent first-year value — earn up to 10% cashback in bonus categories thanks to Cashback Match™.

The 0% APR introductory offer is for 15 months – among the longest of any free card. 

Balance transfers are also eligible for the 0% APR introductory offer.

The bonus categories offer very lucrative earnings (of up to 10% cashback in the first year).

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CONS:

Requires enrolment each quarter for the rotating bonus categories.

Cashback outside the bonus categories and spending cap is only 1%.

Cashback Match™ could be a less lucrative and predictable bonus than fixed bonuses offered by other cards. 

There is limited acceptance of Discover cards outside the US.

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