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How to Get Discover Credit Card Bonuses and Rewards

Last Updated: September 18, 2024
3 min read
Credit card rewards

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Key Points:

  1. Discover won’t require you to spend thousands of dollars to qualify for a reward.

  2. We’ll automatically match all the cash back or Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.1

  3. Discover has no annual fee on every credit card.

Picture this: just by tackling your regular shopping routine, you effortlessly unlock rewards and bonuses. Credit card rewards and bonus offers are a great way to earn cash back on what you spend. With a Discover® credit card, you can score cash back and more—just by spending on things that already make your daily life worthwhile. Compare these bonus options that come with a new Discover® credit card.

How does Discover Card work?

Tired of seeing card offers that require big spending for rewards? Discover believes you deserve better—no need to spend thousands of dollars before earning your rewards. Credit card cash bonus offers are within reach. The first thing to know is that every Discover card is a rewards card.


The first thing to know is that with Discover, there’s no annual fee on any card. That’s not a reward; it’s the bottom line of how Discover thinks every card should work. Now, let’s look at how you can earn a true Discover card bonus.

Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card and Discover it® Student Cash Back Card

With a Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card, cardmembers earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

You can check the quarterly bonus categories on the Cashback Bonus® calendar.

We’ve even designed a version with students in mind. The Discover it® Student Cash Back Card gives students the same rewards listed above, but there’s no credit score required to apply.2

Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card and Discover It® Student Chrome

Next, we thought about our cardmembers who are into dining out and/or put a lot of miles on their vehicle. The Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card lets you earn 2% Cashback Bonus® at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.3

 

And, you guessed it, there’s a Discover It® Student Chrome as well—with all of the same benefits listed above.

Discover It® Miles Credit Card

We created the Discover it® Miles card with great rewards for anyone who loves to travel. Cardmembers earn Miles on all purchases and redeem Miles for travel or cash.4 You earn 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase with your travel card and your Miles never expire.5

NHL® Discover It® Credit Card

We love the idea of letting you earn rewards while supporting the team you love. Putting the official credit card of the NHL® in your wallet allows fans to earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

 

You can check the quarterly bonus categories on the Cashback Bonus® calendar.

Get more in your first year with Discover Cashback Match and Discover Match®

Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match.1 This isn’t a reward in the true sense, because every cardmember receives this in their first year with Discover. You’ll continue to earn rewards on your card purchases after your first year.

Depending on the Discover credit card you choose, you’ll receive one of two matches at the end of your first year: Cashback Match for cash back credit cards or Discover Match® for the Discover travel card. Both programs share a common match structure:

  • You’re automatically enrolled upon account opening.
  • Unlimited Cashback Match. We’ll automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There is no limit to how much we’ll match.1
  • There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
  • You’ll receive the rewards match within two billing periods at the end of your first year.
  • Your account must remain open to get the matched amount.
  • Your rewards never expire,5 including the rewards from the match.

Did you know?

Some Discover cards offer a low intro APR balance transfer rate. With these offers, you can transfer a balance to the card, meaning you can save on interest when you transfer higher-interest debt. After your intro balance transfer rate expires, your card will automatically revert to a variable APR.

Learn more

How to apply for a Discover card

It's easy to apply for a Discover credit card. You can apply for a Discover credit card online or over the phone.

Before filling out and submitting an application, you may want to use the Discover pre-approval tool. Checking to see if you’re pre-approved is fast, easy and won’t impact your credit score.6

The Discover pre-approval tool uses a soft inquiry (a type of credit check that doesn’t impact your credit score) when determining if you qualify for a pre-approved offer. If you’re pre-approved, you can see the APR offers for each card and decide which one will be the best credit card for you.

When you submit a final credit card application, Discover will generally check your credit history, credit score, and other information to see if you qualify for the card. This is what's called a hard inquiry. The hard inquiry will go on your credit report and your credit score may change.

While Discover cards share most benefits, you'll want to review the APR and bonus reward offers to maximize your purchase power. You can complete and submit the application after comparing the options and finding the best fit for you.

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  1. Cashback Match: We’ll match all the cash back you’ve earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You earn cash back only when they’re processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

    Discover Match®: We’ll match all the Miles you’ve earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You earn Miles only when they’re processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

  2. No Credit Score Required to Apply (Student): Based on the preceding 12 months of Discover Student credit card application data, applicants without a credit score may qualify. You must meet other applicable underwriting criteria. When we evaluate your creditworthiness, we consider all the information you provide on your application, your credit report, and other information. If you have a credit score, we may use that in our evaluation. Not having a credit record may impact your approval odds.

  3. 2% Cash Back at gas and restaurants: You earn a full 2% Cashback Bonus® on your first $1000 in combined purchases at Gas Stations (stand-alone), and Restaurants each calendar quarter. Calendar quarters begin January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants over the quarterly cap, and all other purchases, earn 1% cash back. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station, and some public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Purchases must be made with merchants in the U.S. To qualify for 2%, the purchase transaction date must be before or on the last day of the offer or promotion. For online purchases, the transaction date from the merchant may be the date when the item ships. Rewards are added to your account within two billing periods. Even if a purchase appears to fit in a 2% category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in that category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not earn 2% if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. Learn more at Discover.com/digitalwallets. See Cashback Bonus Program Terms and Conditions for more information.

  4. Redeem Miles: Starting at 1 Mile, you can redeem your Miles as a credit to your account to pay for all or part of your bill, for cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account, or for a credit for Travel Purchases made on your statement within the last 180 days. Each Mile is equal to $0.01. Miles cannot be redeemed directly with a specific airline carrier. Travel Purchases include airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, travel agents, online travel sites, commuter transportation, restaurants and gas stations. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Even if a travel purchase on your statement appears to fit in a Travel Purchase category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in a Travel Purchase category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not be eligible for credit redemption if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

  5. Rewards Redemption: Rewards never expire. We reserve the right to determine the method to disburse your rewards balance. We will credit your Account or send you a check with your rewards balance if your Account is closed or if you have not used it within 18 months. You may be unable to redeem rewards in some limited situations such as when you choose to use an electronic funds transfer to redeem rewards to a new (unverified) deposit account.

  6. There is no hard inquiry to your credit report to check if you’re pre-approved. If you’re pre-approved, and you move forward with submitting an application for the credit card, it will result in a hard inquiry which may impact your credit score. Receiving a pre-approval offer does not guarantee approval. Applicants applying without a social security number are not eligible to receive pre-approval offers. Card applicants cannot be pre-approved for the NHL Discover Card.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.