Discover it® Chrome review: Lower rates over greater perks
This card is a rare option for people who want a quality balance transfer intro APR, but don’t want to sacrifice ongoing rewards or a first-year welcome offer.
Written by
Edited by
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for .
Snapshot
4.6
Bottom line
This card is certainly rewarding for a balance transfer card, but it leaves much to be desired as an ongoing rewards card. While it does earn decent cash back on gas and dining, if you want more than a cost-effective balance transfer and minimal fees, you may find other cards more rewarding.
Best for low interest
on Discover's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
1% - 2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
4.6
Bankrate score
Rewards value
APR
Rewards flexibility
Features
Reward Details
Card Details
Remove a card to add another to compare
Remove a card to add another to compare
Discover it® Chrome overview
The Discover it® Chrome gives cardholders the opportunity to earn cash back on two of the biggest everyday expenses — gas stations and restaurants. Its introductory APR offers and low rates and fees across the board make it an easy-to-use cash back option if you’re dipping your toes into the rewards pool for the first time, but we hesitate to call it a starter card since you need at least a “good” credit score to qualify.
Other cards for good credit easily outperform the Discover it® Chrome in terms of rewards rates, so unless you plan to pair it with another cash back card, you might not get much value out of this card.
On the other hand, it stands out as one of the best balance transfer cards if you want ongoing value after the intro APRs end. It’s also one of the only balance transfer cards with a first-year welcome offer.
-
Rewards
- 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1 percent)
- 1 percent on all other purchases
Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive
See our expert analysis -
Welcome offer
- Discover matches all cash back you earn at the end of your first year
Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive (for the average spender)
See our expert analysis -
0% intro APR offer
- 0 percent intro APR on purchases for the first six months
- 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months
- 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Expert Appraisal: Good
See our expert analysis -
Rates and fees
- $0 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No fee for the first late payment (then up to $41)
- No penalty APR
- 3 percent intro balance transfer fee, up to 5 percent fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Expert Appraisal: Good
See our expert analysis -
Other cardholder perks
- Acclaimed, U.S.-based 24/7 customer service
- Free FICO score access
- Free credit monitoring service and alerts
- Freeze it® card locking in the mobile app
- $0 fraud liability
Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive
See our expert analysis
Discover it® Chrome pros and cons
Pros
-
The introductory APR on balance transfers is on par with the offers several major balance transfer cards carry, and this card can provide ongoing value that many other balance transfer cards can’t.
-
This card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no penalty APR and no late payment fee the first time you pay late (up to $41 afterward).
-
Discover will match all cash back you earn at the end of your first year, which could be worth more than typical no-annual-fee cards’ welcome offers for big spenders.
Cons
-
This card doesn’t have as many perks compared to some no-annual-fee cash back cards with stand-out travel protections and annual credits.
-
The highest earning cash back categories have a spending cap each quarter, making this card less rewarding than competing cards.
-
The issuer suggests having at least good credit to qualify, though more rewarding options are available with that score.
First-year value vs. ongoing value
The Discover it® Chrome offers a decent rewards rate, but that rate comes with pretty small category spending caps, meaning your rewards will be limited — even with the strong welcome bonus the card offers.
Here’s a look at how much you can expect to earn based on an annual spend of $22,500, with $1,000 being spent maximizing the combined dining and gas station 2 percent cash back category each quarter (so $4,000 yearly) and the remaining $18,500 being spent earning just 1 percent cash back:
| Benefits and Costs | First-year value | Ongoing value (no welcome offers) |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated yearly rewards via card spend* | +$265 | +$265 |
| Welcome offers | +$265 (Discover’s Cashback Match will match what you earn in a year) | — |
| Perks (of monetary value) | — | — |
| Annual fee | -$0 | -$0 |
| Total value | $530 | $265 |
*Based on card value rating methodology and the average cardholder’s estimated $22,500 yearly spend, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest spending data.
Why you might want the Discover it® Chrome
If you have an existing card balance you want to pay off, the Discover it® Chrome could provide far more long-term value than a traditional balance transfer card. Even if the intro APR offer isn’t of interest, the welcome offer and low rates and fees are exceptional for a no-annual-fee cash back card in general.
Intro APR: Lengthy balance transfer offer for a rewards card
In case you already have a balance you’re trying to shave down, the Discover it® Chrome offers a six-month 0 percent introductory APR on purchases and a sizable 18-month 0 percent introductory APR on balance transfers (3 percent intro balance transfer fee, up to 5 percent fee on future balance transfers, see terms*). Even afterward, the low end of its ongoing 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR is solidly below the current average credit card interest rate.
The intro APR on purchases is short compared to the 12 months to 15 months that rewards cards typically offer, and the 18 months to 21 months that balance transfer cards provide. However, the intro APR on balance transfers is remarkably long for a rewards card, which can make the Discover it® Chrome one of your best options if you’re looking for a balance transfer card with value beyond the intro APR periods.
Rates and fees: Remarkably few card costs
Like other Discover cards, the Discover it® Chrome poses lower rates and fewer fees than competing cards — which is one of the card’s few strengths. It doesn’t charge an annual fee, foreign transaction fees or a penalty APR. You also have a one-time safety net since the issuer will not charge a fee the first time you make a late payment (up to $41 after that).
Why you might want a different cash back card
Unless you’re mainly considering the Discover it® Chrome for its excellent value as a balance transfer card, the limited rewards rates and perks make it a subpar cash back card for everyday use.
Rewards: Low rates with limiting caps
You’ll earn:
2 percent cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1 percent)
1 percent cash back on all other purchases
While the 1 percent cash back on general spending is unlimited, the quarterly spending cap of the card’s elevated earning categories limits this card’s cash back potential. Considering other no-annual-fee cash back cards offer higher cash back rates for the same categories without posing spending caps, the Discover it® Chrome's rewards rates rely on its customer service, intro APR offers and low rates and fees to shore up its value.
This means that a flat-rate 2 percent cash rewards card alone could completely eclipse the Discover it® Chrome card. Unless you’re considering the Discover it® Chrome for its ability as a balance transfer card, this card is not a great option if you’re looking for a general-purpose rewards card. The rewards rates would be more competitive if this was available as a credit-building card, but the Discover it® Chrome suggests a good to excellent credit score.
Discover is one of the few issuers to make redeeming for a gift card a potentially valuable option. It may add an extra 5 percent to 20 percent value to the balance, depending on the merchant.
Welcome offer: Solid cash back potential, but only for a balance transfer card
Like other Discover credit cards, the Discover it® Chrome doesn’t offer a traditional welcome bonus. Instead of receiving bonus rewards in the first three months, Discover will match all cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This offer could be great if your spending would amount to more cash back than the $200 value a typical no-annual-fee cash back card intro bonus provides, but the Discover it® Chrome's bonus category rewards aren’t very conducive for a big payday.
For example, this news release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest spending data shows that the average person spends $3,933 on dining and $2,449 on gas each year. If you spread that spending out evenly across all four quarters, you’d surpass your combined quarterly spending cap of $1,000. Here’s what you’d earn if you did that and also didn’t charge any miscellaneous purchases to the card:
| Bonus categories | Yearly spending | Cash back total | Welcome bonus total at the end of the first year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining and gas station purchases | $6,382 | $103.82 ($80 at 2% cash back and $23.82 at 1% cash back) | $103.82 |
You’ll earn 2 percent back on $4,000 of that spending, then 1 percent back on the remaining $2,382 for a total of almost $104 back in matched cash rewards. The matched cash back would be worth less than the $200 welcome offer other no-annual-fee cash back cards typically provide, and requires a much higher spend too.
Although it’s possible to earn more than $200 with the Cashback Match, it’s not a great use of your spending potential since you can probably earn more rewards value by putting those purchases on a card with a stronger rewards rate.
This is still a solid value if you’re interested in the Discover it® Chrome as a balance transfer card, however. Many traditional balance transfer cards don’t come with welcome rewards offers, after all. However, it’s worth noting that the Citi Double Cash® Card — a competing rewards card with a similarly long intro APR offer — now carries a potentially more valuable welcome offer after previously not providing an intro bonus for years.
Perks: Few features outside the rewards and intro offers
Discover credit cards don’t come with a boatload of benefits like other rewards cards might. Granted, no-annual-fee cards typically aren’t brimming with benefits outside their rewards programs, but a few competing cards offer partner perks with rideshare and delivery services, travel protections or annual credits. Instead, Discover focuses on providing minimal-fee cards with top-rated customer service and account security.
In fact, Discover was ranked second for credit card customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in 2024 right behind American Express — which it achieved for four of the past five years. You may enjoy Discover’s approach if you prefer low-cost cards over typical perks that you may not use.
We tried it: Here’s what our experts say
The Discover it® Chrome was the first full-fledged rewards card Bankrate editor Liza Carrasquillo obtained after building her credit up from a secured card, and it still plays a part in her rewards spending strategy.
Bankrate staff insights
"The Discover it® Chrome was my first unsecured credit card ever, after graduating from the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. At the time, I was honestly scared of credit cards and their potential to throw me into life-altering debt, so I was cautious with how I used it. By charging only gas station purchases on the card and paying my bills off in full every month, I was able to build a positive credit history quickly while also getting a bit of cash back as a bonus.
Nowadays, I don't use this one nearly as much as my other cards with higher cash back rates on everyday spending and dining out. But the Discover it Chrome is still my primary card for gas station purchases."
Liza Carrasquillo, Bankrate editor
How the Discover it® Chrome compares to other cash back cards
Two of the Discover it® Chrome's closest competitors are the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Citi Double Cash® Card. These two cards share some similar features, such as competitive intro APR offers and stellar everyday rewards opportunities. However, these alternatives provide even stronger rewards rates without category or quarterly spending restrictions.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Rewards rate
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards rate
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Rewards rate
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service. 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Is the Discover it® Chrome right for you?
The Discover it® Chrome is an inexpensive card on account of its low rates and fees, but it has similarly low cash back rates. Its intro APR offer on balance transfers is remarkably lengthy for a rewards card, though, so it may function better as a balance transfer card with exceptional long-term and first-year value instead. You’d likely be a good fit for this card if you’re:
- Looking for your first rewards card: If you’re doing a lot of driving and dining and you want an easy cash back card to introduce you to the world of rewards, then the Discover it® Chrome might be a worthwhile first card — provided you don’t mind the category spending caps and meet the credit score requirements.
-
Trying to find a balance transfer card with long-term value: Most balance transfer cards with at least an 18-month intro APR typically have a hard time providing long-term value after the intro APR offer ends. The Discover it® Chrome leaps ahead of the pack with its rewards rates and stellar Discover Cashback Match first-year offer.
Alternative picks
The Discover it® Chrome has a strong intro APR when it comes to balance transfers, but not so much for purchases. If you’re looking to pay off a large purchase over time with a card that still offers long-term value, consider one of these alternatives:
Frequently asked questions
How we rated this card
We rate credit cards using a proprietary card scoring system that ranks each card’s estimated average rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more against those of other cards in its primary category.
Each card feature is assigned a weighting based on how important it is to people looking for a card in a given category. These features are then scored based on how they rank relative to the features on other cards in the category. Based on these calculations, each card receives an overall rating of 1-5 stars (with 5 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest).
We analyzed over 150 of the most popular rewards and cash back cards to determine where each stacked up based on their value, cost, benefits and more. Here are some of the key factors that influenced this card’s overall score and how the score influenced our review:
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
