Credit Card Review🌟 Best for First Year

Discover it® Cash Back

Issued by Discover

5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr), 1% everything else — plus Cashback Match™ — Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year.

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At a Glance

Annual Fee

Purchase APR

17.49%–26.49%

Rewards Rate

5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr), 1% everything else

Min. Credit Score

640+ (est.)

Intro APR

0% on purchases & balance transfers for 15 months

Sign-Up Bonus

Cashback Match™ — Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee

Purchase APR

17.49%–26.49% variable

Intro APR

0% on purchases & balance transfers for 15 months

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Balance Transfer Fee

3% intro during the first 15 months, then up to 5% ($5 min)

Cash Advance Fee

5% or $10 minimum, whichever is greater

Late Payment Fee

Up to $41 (Discover waives the fee on your first late payment)

Estimate Your Rewards

See how this card fits your monthly spending

Enter your typical monthly spend by category to see roughly what the Discover it® Cash Back would earn you per year (this doesn't include any one-time sign-up bonus).

Dining & restaurants

$/mo

$0/mo$1,500/mo

Groceries

$/mo

$0/mo$1,500/mo

Gas

$/mo

$0/mo$1,500/mo

Travel & transit

$/mo

$0/mo$1,500/mo

Streaming & subscriptions

$/mo

$0/mo$1,500/mo

Everything else

$/mo

$0/mo$3,000/mo

Note: Also earns 5% cash back (up to $1,500/quarter) in categories that rotate and require quarterly activation — not modeled here since categories change.

Est. Annual Rewards

$234/yr

After $0 Annual Fee

$234/yr

Based On

$1,950/mo

Key Features

First-year cash back matched automatically

No annual fee

Free FICO score

Pros & Cons

Pros

Effective 10% back in 5% categories first year
Good for building/rebuilding credit
No foreign transaction fee

Tradeoffs

Rotating categories require activation
5% cap at $1,500/quarter
Less accepted internationally

How to Apply

Check whether your credit profile is a reasonable fit — Discover generally looks for applicants around 640+ FICO for the Discover it® Cash Back, alongside income and existing debt.

Gather your Social Security number, annual income, housing payment, and employer details before starting the application.

Apply directly through Discover's official site or app to make sure you're getting current, accurate offer terms.

Most issuers give an instant decision online; some applications are sent to manual review, which can take 7–10 business days.

If approved, activate the card and set up autopay before your first statement is due to avoid a late payment.

How It Compares

Current product highlighted

Product	Annual Fee	Purchase APR	Rewards Rate
Discover it® Cash Back	$0	17.49%–26.49%	5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr), 1% everything else
Citi Double Cash® Card	$0	17.49%–27.49%	2% on everything (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay)
American Express® Gold Card	$325	19.49%–28.49%	4x restaurants (up to $50k/yr) & US supermarkets (up to $25k/yr), 5x prepaid hotels, 3x flights
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card	$0	18.49%–28.49%	Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for the Discover it® Cash Back?

Discover generally looks for applicants with a credit score around 640+ for the Discover it® Cash Back, though approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and overall credit profile — not credit score alone.

What's the annual fee on the Discover it® Cash Back?

The Discover it® Cash Back has no annual fee, so there's no ongoing cost to keep the card open.

Does the Discover it® Cash Back have a sign-up bonus?

Yes — new cardholders can currently earn Cashback Match™ — Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year. Bonus terms and required spend change over time, so confirm the current offer on Discover's site before applying.

What fees should I watch for on the Discover it® Cash Back?

Beyond the annual fee, check the foreign transaction fee (None), balance transfer fee (3% intro during the first 15 months, then up to 5% ($5 min)), cash advance fee (5% or $10 minimum, whichever is greater), and late payment fee (Up to $41 (Discover waives the fee on your first late payment)). These matter most if you carry a balance, transfer debt, or use the card internationally.

How does the Discover it® Cash Back compare to similar cards?

The Discover it® Cash Back is one of several cashback cards worth comparing side by side — see the "How It Compares" table on this page for a few close alternatives, or browse the full list of cashback cards for more options.

Other Credit Cards

Citi Double Cash® Card

2% on everything (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay)

American Express® Gold Card

4x restaurants (up to $50k/yr) & US supermarkets (up to $25k/yr), 5x prepaid hotels, 3x flights

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases

Rates, fees, and rewards shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying.

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