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How to Get Discover Credit Card Bonuses
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How to Get Discover Credit Card Bonuses

Last Updated: May 15, 2023
2 min read

Key points about: Discover Card bonuses

  1. Sign-up bonuses with some credit card issuers may require you to spend thousands within a few months to qualify for the bonus.

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

  3. All Discover credit cards have no annual fee.

A credit card sign-up bonus can be a great way to earn a lot of rewards with your new credit card. However, the requirements can vary depending on which credit card you get.

How does Discover Card work?

Discover credit cards have either Cashback Match for cash back credit cards or Discover Match® for the Discover travel card. Both programs work in a similar way:

  • You’re automatically enrolled when your account is opened.
  • There’s no minimum spending requirement or maximum rewards.
  • Discover matches all the cash back or Miles you earn at the end of your first year.1
  • You’ll receive the 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,2 including the rewards from the match.

There are plenty of ways to earn cash back. If you’re approved for the Discover it® Cash Back Card, you can earn 5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in different category purchases each quarter, when you activate. That’s up to $75 cash back each quarter! Plus, you always earn Cashback Bonus when you use your Discover card for purchases. The quarterly categories are included on the Cashback Bonus® calendar.

Discover will 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

Discover credit cards

Discover credit cards share a variety of benefits. All Discover cards have no annual fee, and every Discover credit card will match all the cash back or Miles that you’ve earned at the end of your first year.1

Additionally, some Discover credit cards may also have introductory annual percentage rate (APR) offers for new cardmembers. For example, you may qualify for a card that has a low intro APR purchase offer, and you can save on interest for your purchases during the promotional period.

Did you know?

Some Discover cards offer a low intro APR balance transfer rate. With these types of offers, you can transfer a balance to the card, meaning you can save on interest when you transfer higher-interest debt. There’s often a balance transfer fee, but you still may be able to save money and pay down the balance faster. 

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How to apply for a Discover card

You can apply for a Discover credit card online or over the phone. However, before filling out and submitting an application, you may want to use the Discover pre-approval tool to find out if you’re pre-approved for a card.

When you submit a credit card application, the credit card company will generally check your credit history, credit score, and other information to see if you qualify for the card.

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 and offers for each card and then decide which one will be the best fit for you. But if you apply for a pre-approved offer, a hard inquiry will be placed on your credit report.

While Discover cards share many benefits, you may want to look at the APR offers. You can complete and submit the application after comparing the options and finding the best fit for you.

Important information
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Discover Match®: We’ll match all the Miles rewards 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’ve earned Miles rewards 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 promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

Cashback Match:We’ll match all the cash back rewards 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’ve earned cash back rewards 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 promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

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.

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.

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