How to Redeem Credit Card Rewards or Points
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How to Get Discover Credit Card Bonuses and Rewards
3 min read
Last Updated: September 18, 2024
Key Takeaways
- Discover won’t require you to spend thousands of dollars to qualify for a reward.
- We’ll automatically match all the cash back or Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.1
- Check the quarterly bonus calendar for opportunities to earn additional rewards.
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.
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
You can check the quarterly bonus categories on the Cashback Bonus® calendar.
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.
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.
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.
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.5
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.
See if you’re Pre-approved before you apply
Next steps
See if you're pre-approved
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Legal Disclaimer: We hope you found this helpful. Our content is not intended to provide legal, investment or financial advice or to indicate that a particular product or service is available or right for you. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with a qualified professional. Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information, or recommendation listed above. The third parties listed are solely responsible for their products and services, and all trademarks listed are the property of their respective owners. By clicking on some of the links provided, you may be taken to a third-party website that is not hosted by Capital One. In those cases, the owner of the website is responsible for the website content. Their privacy practices and level of security may be different from Capital One's, so please review their policies. Some of the above information may not describe the features and offerings of your specific Discover account. Please review your account terms for details on your specific account.
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 365 days and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You earn cash back only when transactions are 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 or Capital One 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 cardholders. 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 365 days and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You earn miles only when transactions are 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 or Capital One 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 cardholders. No purchase minimums.
We may use credit scores if available.
2% Cash Back at gas and restaurants: You will earn 2% cash back 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, except as noted below, 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. Restaurants located inside of or affiliated with another business, such as hotels or retails stores and establishments classified as a bakery, may not qualify. 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. Capital One uses merchant category codes to determine if a purchase is in one of the additional cash back categories. This means that sometimes a purchase may not earn additional cash back. For example, some food trucks or food carts may use a merchandise code and restaurants in department stores or hotels may use a merchandise or hotel code instead of a dining code. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not earn additional cash back if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. Capital One is not responsible for merchant category codes used by merchants. Applies to all rewards: Earnings will apply to net purchases (purchases minus any credits or returns). Cash advances, balance transfers, transfers from Discover or Capital One checking or other deposit accounts, and checks used to access your account are not considered purchases and will not earn rewards. Portions of purchases paid with rewards, transactions that do not comply with our policies and/or applicable laws, or any cash you receive in connection with a purchase at the point of sale through Discover's Cash at Checkout feature will not earn rewards. See Your Rewards Program Terms & Conditions and your online account for more details.
Redeem miles: Redemption rates for these options may vary and are subject to change.
Any pre-approved offers you receive may have offer terms that vary from other offers you see elsewhere. Some card products are not eligible for pre-approval.
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