Discover it Student chrome Review 2023
The Discover it Student chrome offers up to 2% cash back on purchases, and Discover matches all the rewards you earn in the first year.
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Trust takes time to build, and credit, at its core, is a form of trust. Banks need to see a record of on-time payments before they'll approve you for the best credit cards, which is why many students have a more limited selection of cards to choose from. That makes the
It's worth noting that this student credit card is nearly identical to the regular
Discover it Student chrome Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You?
With the
This almost goes without saying, but the
Even if you are a student this may not be the best card for you. There are plenty of good no-annual-fee cards that are easy to get approved for with limited credit, even if they don't have the word "student" in the name. Make sure you sit down and look at your spending patterns to determine whether this is the most rewarding card for you.
If you're interested in a simple, no-hassle cash-back credit card, the
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Discover it Student chrome Rewards
Discover it Student chrome welcome bonus offer
Discover doesn't offer a big flashy welcome bonus on its credit cards. Instead, you're eligible for Discover Cashback Match, meaning Discover will match all the cash back you earn, dollar-for-dollar, at the end of your first year.
This means your earning rate on gas and dining goes up to 4% for the first year (on your first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter). The
Whether or not this is a good offer depends almost entirely on how much you expect to spend in your first year, but one nice thing about Cashback Match is that it's not all or nothing. Traditional credit card bonuses require you to spend a certain amount of money over your first few months with the card. If you hit the mark, you get the bonus. If not, you don't.
Cashback Match means you won't have to keep an eye on the calendar or carefully add up your transactions to see if you're on track — so one less thing to worry about.
How to earn rewards with the Discover it Student chrome
The card's earning structure is straightforward, though you'll have to keep an eye on the quarterly spending cap. Cardholders earn:
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
If you spend a lot on gas and dining, you could do quite well with this card. But if you don't spend in these categories, a different card will serve you better.
How to use rewards from the Discover it Student chrome card
The
Unlike some other cards, there's no minimum amount required to start redeeming your rewards. Rewards don't expire, but if you close your account or don't use the card for 18 months Discover will automatically cash them out for you.
You can also use your rewards (starting at $5) for gift cards or eCertificates from partner merchants. In addition, you can donate your rewards to select charities, with a minimum donation of 1 cent:
Discover it Student chrome Benefits and Features
Outside of the Cashback Match offer and 2% bonus categories, there are a few perks that help the
0% introductory APR on purchases
The
Just be sure you have the ability to pay off your balance before the promotional APR period expires, otherwise, you could be on the hook for hefty interest charges.
Late payment forgiveness
Discover also understands that many of the people who apply for this card may have never had a credit card before. While credit cards aren't all that complicated to use, it does take some adjustment if you're switching over from using a debit card for everything.
That's why Discover will waive the late fee on your first late payment (afterward a fee of up to $41 applies), giving you a chance to learn the important lesson of paying your bills on time without any penalty.
Free FICO score
Unique card designs
When you apply for the
What cards compete with the Discover It Student chrome Card?
Just because you're a student doesn't mean you can only apply for "student" credit cards. In fact, there are two great no-annual-fee cash-back cards that give the
The first is the
While it's billed as a cash-back card, it earns rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. Given the low cap on the
If you decide to start pursuing travel rewards, you can hold on to these points instead of cashing them out. Then, once you start to build a credit history you can apply for a
Next up is the
As the name suggests, the
The
Discover it Student chrome Annual Fee and Other Costs
The
There are other scenarios where you might pay a fee, including:
- Late payment fee: $0 on the first occurrence, then up to $41
- Returned payment fee: Up to $41
- Balance transfer fee: Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by July 10, 2023, with the 10.99% intro APR balance transfer offer described above (after that, 5% of the amount of each transfer)
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
How the Discover it Student chrome Compares
Discover it Student chrome vs other Discover cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%) 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases | 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined spending when you activate (then 1%) 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%) 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus | None, but Discover offers dollar-for-dollar match of all cash earned the first year | None, but Discover will match all the cash back earned at the end of your first year | None, but Discover will match all the cash back earned at the end of your first year |
Card benefits | Free FICO score No late payment fee on your first late payment (then up to $41) No foreign transaction fees | Free FICO score No late payment fee on your first late payment (then up to $41) No foreign transaction fees | Free FICO score After seven months, Discover will review your account and credit history monthly and may refund your security deposit No foreign transaction fees |
Review |
Discover it Student chrome vs other student credit cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%) 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases | 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel 3% cash back on dining 3% cash back on entertainment 3% cash back on popular streaming services 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) 1% cash back on all other purchases | 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings)* 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs* 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | None, but Discover offers dollar-for-dollar match of all cash earned the first year | ||
Card benefits | Free FICO score No late payment fee on your first late payment (then up to $41) No foreign transaction fees | Price protection*** Extended warranty*** Car rental coverage*** Roadside dispatch*** Travel accident insurance*** Complimentary concierge services Free credit monitoring with CreditWise from Capital One Complimentary Uber One membership, through November 14, 2024** | Free FICO score |
Review |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Student Credit Card review |
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*3% and 2% cash-back categories on the
*** Exclusions apply
Discover it Student chrome Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Discover it Student chrome only for students?
The
What credit score is needed for the Discover it Student chrome?
You don't even need an established credit history to be considered for the
What's the difference between the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student chrome?
Both the
The
Does the Discover it Student chrome help me build credit?
Yes, when you use it responsibly. Opening a student credit card like the
Methodology: How we reviewed the Discover it Student chrome
Insider's experts evaluated the
- Ease of use — Are the card's earning rates straightforward, and is it easy to redeem rewards? Are there any restrictions or hoops to jump through?
- Earning potential — Are the card's earning rates and bonus comparable to similar cards? If there are bonus categories, are they useful for students, and are any capped at a maximum amount of spending?
- Benefits — Many student credit cards are light on benefits. Does the card have perks that make it stand out?
- Fees — Most student credit cards don't charge an annual fee, but are there other fees to be aware of? Does the card waive the late payment fee on your first late payment?
To learn more about our methodology, read about how we rate credit cards at Insider.