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Your Cash Back Gets Matched
Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) plus unlimited 1% on everything else. Discover automatically matches all cash back earned at the end of your first year—doubling your rewards with no cap or limit.
$0
Annual Fee
150
Cash back dollars · Welcome Bonus
5X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$0
Authorized User Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
Cash
Point Valuation
1–1 cpp (mid: 1)
Credit Required
Poor to Excellent
Bonus: 150 Cash back dollars
5X
Cap: $1,500/quarterly
1X
All other purchases
Earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, Amazon, Target, wholesale clubs, and select streaming services—categories rotate quarterly and must be activated.
Q1 2026 categories are grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and streaming services. Spend $1,500 on groceries = $75 cash back per quarter or $300 annually across all quarters.
All purchases outside the quarterly 5% categories earn unlimited 1% cash back with no caps or restrictions.
Spend $1,000/month on non-bonus purchases = $120 annual cash back. Combined with maxed quarterly bonuses = $420+ base rewards before Cashback Match.
Benefits & Perks
You won't pay for fraudulent purchases whether your card is lost, stolen, or used without your permission.
Get a one-time pass if you miss a payment, with no late fee charged on your first occurrence.
Program & Transfers
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No 5/24 | Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule |
| Discover 1/12 | You can only get one Discover card every 12 months |
| Purchase APR | 17.49%–26.49% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 28.49% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $0 |
Media & Resources
Your Cash Back Gets Matched
Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) plus unlimited 1% on everything else. Discover automatically matches all cash back earned at the end of your first year—doubling your rewards with no cap or limit.
$0
Annual Fee
150
Cash back dollars · Welcome Bonus
5X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$0
Authorized User Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
Cash
Point Valuation
1–1 cpp (mid: 1)
Credit Required
Poor to Excellent
Bonus: 150 Cash back dollars
5X
Cap: $1,500/quarterly
1X
All other purchases
Earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, Amazon, Target, wholesale clubs, and select streaming services—categories rotate quarterly and must be activated.
Q1 2026 categories are grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and streaming services. Spend $1,500 on groceries = $75 cash back per quarter or $300 annually across all quarters.
All purchases outside the quarterly 5% categories earn unlimited 1% cash back with no caps or restrictions.
Spend $1,000/month on non-bonus purchases = $120 annual cash back. Combined with maxed quarterly bonuses = $420+ base rewards before Cashback Match.
Benefits & Perks
You won't pay for fraudulent purchases whether your card is lost, stolen, or used without your permission.
Get a one-time pass if you miss a payment, with no late fee charged on your first occurrence.
Program & Transfers
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No 5/24 | Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule |
| Discover 1/12 | You can only get one Discover card every 12 months |
| Purchase APR | 17.49%–26.49% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 28.49% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $0 |
Media & Resources
Your Cash Back Gets Matched
Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) plus unlimited 1% on everything else. Discover automatically matches all cash back earned at the end of your first year—doubling your rewards with no cap or limit.
$0
Annual Fee
150
Cash back dollars · Welcome Bonus
5X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$0
Authorized User Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
Cash
Point Valuation
1–1 cpp (mid: 1)
Credit Required
Poor to Excellent
Bonus: 150 Cash back dollars
5X
Cap: $1,500/quarterly
1X
All other purchases
Earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, Amazon, Target, wholesale clubs, and select streaming services—categories rotate quarterly and must be activated.
Q1 2026 categories are grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and streaming services. Spend $1,500 on groceries = $75 cash back per quarter or $300 annually across all quarters.
All purchases outside the quarterly 5% categories earn unlimited 1% cash back with no caps or restrictions.
Spend $1,000/month on non-bonus purchases = $120 annual cash back. Combined with maxed quarterly bonuses = $420+ base rewards before Cashback Match.
Benefits & Perks
You won't pay for fraudulent purchases whether your card is lost, stolen, or used without your permission.
Get a one-time pass if you miss a payment, with no late fee charged on your first occurrence.
Program & Transfers
Reviews & Analysis
Details & Terms
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No 5/24 | Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule |
| Discover 1/12 | You can only get one Discover card every 12 months |
| Purchase APR | 17.49%–26.49% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 28.49% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $0 |
Media & Resources
Get alerts when new accounts or inquiries appear on your Experian report, plus dark web SSN monitoring.
Get a virtual card number right away to shop online before your physical card arrives, if eligible.
Turn your card on or off anytime via app to block new purchases while allowing your recurring bills to continue.
See your FICO credit score on statements and online anytime, plus factors that impact your score.
Best for maximizing first-year value with unlimited Cashback Match doubling. Requires quarterly activation of 5% categories. No annual fee, 0% intro APR 15 months, no FTF. Limited by Discover network acceptance internationally.
The Discover It Cash Back card offers cash back rewards that get matched after your first year, but we don't recommend it since better travel rewards cards exist with simpler earning structures and more valuable redemption options.
While you can earn up to $600 in rewards with relatively low spending on the Discover It Cash Back card, we don't recommend it for several reasons. First, the rewards are in the form of cash back. We rarely recommend cash back cards because our hobby focuses on earning free travel. Cards with airline and hotel transfer partners offer the best value in rewards redemptions, and Discover does not have transfer partners.
Second, earning up to $600 in rewards is complicated and requires a full year of commitment. This card doesn't offer a traditional sign-up bonus tied to spending a specific amount. Instead, you must maximize rotating quarterly spending categories to earn 5% back throughout the entire year. Only then will Discover match your earnings after your first year ends. This requires too much effort to earn the same bonus you could receive in just three months with similar spending on many other available cards.
The rewards in the first year of owning the Discover It Cash Back card could reach upwards of $600 while spending $6,000, which is attractive considering the card has no annual fee. This card offers 5% back each quarter on rotating spending categories chosen by Discover. They cap the 5% back at $1,500 each quarter, allowing you to earn an extra $75 quarterly on that specific spending category.
If you maximize the 5% back category each quarter, you'll spend $6,000 annually and earn $300 back. Rather than offering a traditional sign-up bonus, Discover matches your earned rewards at the end of your first card year. This means you could receive up to $600 back if you maximize the 5% category every quarter. The card also offers 1% back on all other spending, providing additional cash back rewards on any other purchases.
You can redeem your cash back in several ways: direct deposit into any account, statement credit on your credit card, donations to select charities, or gift cards. You can also redeem on Amazon by linking your Discover card to your Amazon account, shop through PayPal, or pay with rewards using Apple Pay. Unfortunately, travel redemptions are not available.
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- You want to transfer points and miles to airlines and/or hotels to find good deals that maximize your points, which isn't possible with Discover
- This Discover card only allows you to redeem rewards as cash back or through shopping on Amazon or PayPal
Discover offers another no annual fee cash back card similar to the Discover It Cash Back card. The Discover It Chrome card provides 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, then 1% on everything else. You will also receive a matching bonus at the end of your first year, just like with the Cash Back card. The Chrome card also doesn't have an annual fee and is a cash back card as well, so you cannot redeem rewards for travel-related purchases.
The Discover It Miles card simplifies things by offering 1.5% back on all purchases every day with no limits. It features the same matching bonus as the other two cards and also has no annual fee. This card does allow you to redeem rewards by offering credit for travel purchases, but being a Discover card, there are no airline or hotel transfer partners.
Discover as a system ranks low on our list of recommended rewards programs. None of their cards offer a significant enough sign-up bonus to justify getting one, they don't have partners to transfer points to, and you can only open one card every 12 months. Because of these limitations, we suggest exploring other rewards systems for your points and miles journey.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$0
Annual Fee
-$0
Net Annual Value
+$0
Detailed guide to Discover's quarterly rotating calendar for 2026, including Q1-Q4 categories, how to activate bonuses, and strategies for maximizing the $1,500 quarterly cap across all four quarters.
Real-world spending scenario showing how to maximize quarterly categories across all four quarters plus base spending to earn $600+ cash back in year one before the Cashback Match doubles it to $1,200+.
In-depth review from a points and miles perspective, analyzing how the Discover it Cash Back fits into a multi-card rewards strategy. Covers redemption options, quarterly category calendar, and first-year value proposition.
Strategy guide focused on maximizing quarterly categories, setting activation reminders, pairing with other cards, and leveraging the Cashback Match to earn $500-$1,000+ in year one.
Comprehensive breakdown of all Discover it Cash Back benefits beyond rewards—free FICO score, SSN monitoring, account freeze, no foreign transaction fees, no late fee on first violation, and 0% intro APR.
Comprehensive review covering rewards structure, Cashback Match, rotating categories, and tips for maximizing value. Includes analysis of the 5% quarterly activation requirement and how it compares to flat-rate alternatives.
Head-to-head comparison of two popular no-annual-fee cash back cards. Analyzes when rotating categories beat flat-rate rewards and which card delivers more value for different spending profiles.
Objective review with expert ratings on rewards, fees, APR, and overall value. Includes pros/cons analysis and comparison to competing cash back cards.
Timely article covering the Q1 2026 bonus categories (grocery stores, wholesale clubs, streaming services) with tips for meeting the $1,500 cap and maximizing first-year Cashback Match.
Quarterly update on Discover's 5% categories with detailed analysis of Q1 2026 grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and streaming services. Includes activation instructions and spending tips.
Monthly editorial review with updated analysis of card features, current quarterly categories, and expert perspective on who should apply. Includes reader comments and questions.
Aggregated user reviews and ratings from 1,600+ cardholders covering real-world experiences with quarterly activation, customer service, Cashback Match, and Discover network acceptance.
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
Get alerts when new accounts or inquiries appear on your Experian report, plus dark web SSN monitoring.
Get a virtual card number right away to shop online before your physical card arrives, if eligible.
Turn your card on or off anytime via app to block new purchases while allowing your recurring bills to continue.
See your FICO credit score on statements and online anytime, plus factors that impact your score.
Best for maximizing first-year value with unlimited Cashback Match doubling. Requires quarterly activation of 5% categories. No annual fee, 0% intro APR 15 months, no FTF. Limited by Discover network acceptance internationally.
The Discover It Cash Back card offers cash back rewards that get matched after your first year, but we don't recommend it since better travel rewards cards exist with simpler earning structures and more valuable redemption options.
While you can earn up to $600 in rewards with relatively low spending on the Discover It Cash Back card, we don't recommend it for several reasons. First, the rewards are in the form of cash back. We rarely recommend cash back cards because our hobby focuses on earning free travel. Cards with airline and hotel transfer partners offer the best value in rewards redemptions, and Discover does not have transfer partners.
Second, earning up to $600 in rewards is complicated and requires a full year of commitment. This card doesn't offer a traditional sign-up bonus tied to spending a specific amount. Instead, you must maximize rotating quarterly spending categories to earn 5% back throughout the entire year. Only then will Discover match your earnings after your first year ends. This requires too much effort to earn the same bonus you could receive in just three months with similar spending on many other available cards.
The rewards in the first year of owning the Discover It Cash Back card could reach upwards of $600 while spending $6,000, which is attractive considering the card has no annual fee. This card offers 5% back each quarter on rotating spending categories chosen by Discover. They cap the 5% back at $1,500 each quarter, allowing you to earn an extra $75 quarterly on that specific spending category.
If you maximize the 5% back category each quarter, you'll spend $6,000 annually and earn $300 back. Rather than offering a traditional sign-up bonus, Discover matches your earned rewards at the end of your first card year. This means you could receive up to $600 back if you maximize the 5% category every quarter. The card also offers 1% back on all other spending, providing additional cash back rewards on any other purchases.
You can redeem your cash back in several ways: direct deposit into any account, statement credit on your credit card, donations to select charities, or gift cards. You can also redeem on Amazon by linking your Discover card to your Amazon account, shop through PayPal, or pay with rewards using Apple Pay. Unfortunately, travel redemptions are not available.
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- You want to transfer points and miles to airlines and/or hotels to find good deals that maximize your points, which isn't possible with Discover
- This Discover card only allows you to redeem rewards as cash back or through shopping on Amazon or PayPal
Discover offers another no annual fee cash back card similar to the Discover It Cash Back card. The Discover It Chrome card provides 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, then 1% on everything else. You will also receive a matching bonus at the end of your first year, just like with the Cash Back card. The Chrome card also doesn't have an annual fee and is a cash back card as well, so you cannot redeem rewards for travel-related purchases.
The Discover It Miles card simplifies things by offering 1.5% back on all purchases every day with no limits. It features the same matching bonus as the other two cards and also has no annual fee. This card does allow you to redeem rewards by offering credit for travel purchases, but being a Discover card, there are no airline or hotel transfer partners.
Discover as a system ranks low on our list of recommended rewards programs. None of their cards offer a significant enough sign-up bonus to justify getting one, they don't have partners to transfer points to, and you can only open one card every 12 months. Because of these limitations, we suggest exploring other rewards systems for your points and miles journey.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$0
Annual Fee
-$0
Net Annual Value
+$0
Detailed guide to Discover's quarterly rotating calendar for 2026, including Q1-Q4 categories, how to activate bonuses, and strategies for maximizing the $1,500 quarterly cap across all four quarters.
Real-world spending scenario showing how to maximize quarterly categories across all four quarters plus base spending to earn $600+ cash back in year one before the Cashback Match doubles it to $1,200+.
In-depth review from a points and miles perspective, analyzing how the Discover it Cash Back fits into a multi-card rewards strategy. Covers redemption options, quarterly category calendar, and first-year value proposition.
Strategy guide focused on maximizing quarterly categories, setting activation reminders, pairing with other cards, and leveraging the Cashback Match to earn $500-$1,000+ in year one.
Comprehensive breakdown of all Discover it Cash Back benefits beyond rewards—free FICO score, SSN monitoring, account freeze, no foreign transaction fees, no late fee on first violation, and 0% intro APR.
Comprehensive review covering rewards structure, Cashback Match, rotating categories, and tips for maximizing value. Includes analysis of the 5% quarterly activation requirement and how it compares to flat-rate alternatives.
Head-to-head comparison of two popular no-annual-fee cash back cards. Analyzes when rotating categories beat flat-rate rewards and which card delivers more value for different spending profiles.
Objective review with expert ratings on rewards, fees, APR, and overall value. Includes pros/cons analysis and comparison to competing cash back cards.
Timely article covering the Q1 2026 bonus categories (grocery stores, wholesale clubs, streaming services) with tips for meeting the $1,500 cap and maximizing first-year Cashback Match.
Quarterly update on Discover's 5% categories with detailed analysis of Q1 2026 grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and streaming services. Includes activation instructions and spending tips.
Monthly editorial review with updated analysis of card features, current quarterly categories, and expert perspective on who should apply. Includes reader comments and questions.
Aggregated user reviews and ratings from 1,600+ cardholders covering real-world experiences with quarterly activation, customer service, Cashback Match, and Discover network acceptance.
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
Get alerts when new accounts or inquiries appear on your Experian report, plus dark web SSN monitoring.
Get a virtual card number right away to shop online before your physical card arrives, if eligible.
Turn your card on or off anytime via app to block new purchases while allowing your recurring bills to continue.
See your FICO credit score on statements and online anytime, plus factors that impact your score.
Best for maximizing first-year value with unlimited Cashback Match doubling. Requires quarterly activation of 5% categories. No annual fee, 0% intro APR 15 months, no FTF. Limited by Discover network acceptance internationally.
The Discover It Cash Back card offers cash back rewards that get matched after your first year, but we don't recommend it since better travel rewards cards exist with simpler earning structures and more valuable redemption options.
While you can earn up to $600 in rewards with relatively low spending on the Discover It Cash Back card, we don't recommend it for several reasons. First, the rewards are in the form of cash back. We rarely recommend cash back cards because our hobby focuses on earning free travel. Cards with airline and hotel transfer partners offer the best value in rewards redemptions, and Discover does not have transfer partners.
Second, earning up to $600 in rewards is complicated and requires a full year of commitment. This card doesn't offer a traditional sign-up bonus tied to spending a specific amount. Instead, you must maximize rotating quarterly spending categories to earn 5% back throughout the entire year. Only then will Discover match your earnings after your first year ends. This requires too much effort to earn the same bonus you could receive in just three months with similar spending on many other available cards.
The rewards in the first year of owning the Discover It Cash Back card could reach upwards of $600 while spending $6,000, which is attractive considering the card has no annual fee. This card offers 5% back each quarter on rotating spending categories chosen by Discover. They cap the 5% back at $1,500 each quarter, allowing you to earn an extra $75 quarterly on that specific spending category.
If you maximize the 5% back category each quarter, you'll spend $6,000 annually and earn $300 back. Rather than offering a traditional sign-up bonus, Discover matches your earned rewards at the end of your first card year. This means you could receive up to $600 back if you maximize the 5% category every quarter. The card also offers 1% back on all other spending, providing additional cash back rewards on any other purchases.
You can redeem your cash back in several ways: direct deposit into any account, statement credit on your credit card, donations to select charities, or gift cards. You can also redeem on Amazon by linking your Discover card to your Amazon account, shop through PayPal, or pay with rewards using Apple Pay. Unfortunately, travel redemptions are not available.
The exceptions where this card might not be good for you:
- You want to transfer points and miles to airlines and/or hotels to find good deals that maximize your points, which isn't possible with Discover
- This Discover card only allows you to redeem rewards as cash back or through shopping on Amazon or PayPal
Discover offers another no annual fee cash back card similar to the Discover It Cash Back card. The Discover It Chrome card provides 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, then 1% on everything else. You will also receive a matching bonus at the end of your first year, just like with the Cash Back card. The Chrome card also doesn't have an annual fee and is a cash back card as well, so you cannot redeem rewards for travel-related purchases.
The Discover It Miles card simplifies things by offering 1.5% back on all purchases every day with no limits. It features the same matching bonus as the other two cards and also has no annual fee. This card does allow you to redeem rewards by offering credit for travel purchases, but being a Discover card, there are no airline or hotel transfer partners.
Discover as a system ranks low on our list of recommended rewards programs. None of their cards offer a significant enough sign-up bonus to justify getting one, they don't have partners to transfer points to, and you can only open one card every 12 months. Because of these limitations, we suggest exploring other rewards systems for your points and miles journey.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$0
Annual Fee
-$0
Net Annual Value
+$0
Detailed guide to Discover's quarterly rotating calendar for 2026, including Q1-Q4 categories, how to activate bonuses, and strategies for maximizing the $1,500 quarterly cap across all four quarters.
Real-world spending scenario showing how to maximize quarterly categories across all four quarters plus base spending to earn $600+ cash back in year one before the Cashback Match doubles it to $1,200+.
In-depth review from a points and miles perspective, analyzing how the Discover it Cash Back fits into a multi-card rewards strategy. Covers redemption options, quarterly category calendar, and first-year value proposition.
Strategy guide focused on maximizing quarterly categories, setting activation reminders, pairing with other cards, and leveraging the Cashback Match to earn $500-$1,000+ in year one.
Comprehensive breakdown of all Discover it Cash Back benefits beyond rewards—free FICO score, SSN monitoring, account freeze, no foreign transaction fees, no late fee on first violation, and 0% intro APR.
Comprehensive review covering rewards structure, Cashback Match, rotating categories, and tips for maximizing value. Includes analysis of the 5% quarterly activation requirement and how it compares to flat-rate alternatives.
Head-to-head comparison of two popular no-annual-fee cash back cards. Analyzes when rotating categories beat flat-rate rewards and which card delivers more value for different spending profiles.
Objective review with expert ratings on rewards, fees, APR, and overall value. Includes pros/cons analysis and comparison to competing cash back cards.
Timely article covering the Q1 2026 bonus categories (grocery stores, wholesale clubs, streaming services) with tips for meeting the $1,500 cap and maximizing first-year Cashback Match.
Quarterly update on Discover's 5% categories with detailed analysis of Q1 2026 grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and streaming services. Includes activation instructions and spending tips.
Monthly editorial review with updated analysis of card features, current quarterly categories, and expert perspective on who should apply. Includes reader comments and questions.
Aggregated user reviews and ratings from 1,600+ cardholders covering real-world experiences with quarterly activation, customer service, Cashback Match, and Discover network acceptance.
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
