Using your credit card

Where Are Discover® Credit Cards Accepted? contents
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Where Are Discover® Credit Cards Accepted?

8 min read
Last Updated: October 12, 2025
Using your credit card

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Key Takeaways

  1. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide.1

  2. You can use your Discover Card to make withdrawals for cash advances.

  3. Discover Card acceptance is convenient at gas stations, restaurants, online, and at major retailers for cash back rewards.

Buy groceries online. Pick out a birthday gift. Head to a catch-up dinner with friends. Get gas. You’re probably making dozens of purchases throughout the week—and it’s important to have a credit card that you’re confident will be accepted where you use it. Good news: Discover® is accepted at millions of places worldwide.2

Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide1

If you’re not sure whether a merchant will accept your Discover Card or Discover student credit card, the best thing to do is to ask. While some stores may have “payment accepted” decals at the register or on their door, others may not.

How widely accepted are Discover Cards?

Discover is accepted where you love to shop nationwide.1 So, whether you’re running errands, going out to dinner, or filling up your tank, you likely may use your Discover Card.

Are Discover credit cards accepted at gas stations?

As retailers widely accept Discover Cards, chances are high that your favorite gas station accepts Discover too.

Are Discover credit cards accepted at grocery stores?

Yes, many national chains accept Discover Card.

 

If you want to boost your grocery budget, then you might want a credit card that offers bonus cash back for grocery purchases. For example, both the Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card and Discover It® Student Cash Back let you 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 unlimited 1% cash back on all your other purchases—automatically.

Are Discover credit cards accepted on food delivery apps?

Yes, you may use your Discover Card to order lunch at your desk or dinner for cozy nights in. Many popular food delivery apps may accept Discover, including:

  • DoorDash
  • Grubhub
  • Instacart
  • Postmates
  • Shipt
  • Uber Eats

Can you rent a car with a Discover Card?

Yes, you may rent a car with a Discover Card. Many rental car companies may accept Discover.

Discover credit cards are accepted at online merchants

Count on Discover while you shop on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Discover is accepted at many online retailers. You may easily earn and redeem rewards with Discover.3

How can you use your Discover Card online?

You may use your Discover Card to shop online at retailers, order food from local restaurants, pay for subscriptions like streaming services, donate to charities, and much more.

What are the benefits of using your Discover Card online?

With Discover, you earn rewards on every purchase, which may be redeemed in a variety of ways depending on your needs. For example, you may use your rewards at checkout with some merchants, redeem rewards as gift cards at popular brands, or even redeem rewards for cash in any amount to help pay down your balance.

 

Here’s a tip: to make the most of your rewards, try to make more than your monthly minimum payments. Whenever you can, repay your whole balance. That way, you may avoid interest charges that could offset your cash back. Plus, you may be able to improve your credit score by keeping your credit utilization low.

 

In addition to rewards, Discover offers security features that protect you if your card is lost or stolen. You’re never held responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card.4

How can you determine whether a retailer accepts Discover Card?

If you’re shopping in person, you can look for a sticker on the door or near the register with the Discover acceptance mark.

 

Some online retailers may have a “payment options” page that lists all their accepted credit cards and other payment methods. Otherwise, when you’re shopping online, you may look for a Discover logo on the checkout page.

 

If you’ve checked those spots and you’re still not sure whether the merchant will accept your card, you can still try to use it as a payment method and see whether the payment goes through. If not, you won’t be penalized; you’ll just have to switch payment methods. 

Why aren’t Discover Cards accepted everywhere?

While each merchant is different, there are a couple possible reasons why a retailer may not accept your Discover Card.

 

It’s not always clear why some merchants still don’t accept credit cards from Discover.

  • New kid on the block: When Discover was launched in 1986, it had to catch up with other older credit card networks. Our merchant acceptance has grown in the decades since.
  • Partnerships: Some retailers have exclusive agreements with other card issuers. For example, Costco is a major retailer that doesn’t accept Discover based on a partner contract with another major card carrier.

What can you do if your Discover Card isn’t accepted?

If a merchant doesn’t seem to accept your Discover card, you have a couple of options. 

 

In some instances, Discover is accepted even if the merchant doesn’t know it. You may want to try to use your card to be sure. 

 

If you still can’t use your card, you may message or call our customer service team to let us know. We’ll work to add the merchant if possible.

Did you know?

You may not have to miss out on cash back rewards because a store or restaurant doesn’t accept your card. Because Discover is accepted basically anywhere nationwide,1 you may easily find a similar retailer that accepts Discover.

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International Discover Card acceptance

Discover® Credit Cards are accepted at millions of places around the world2. But if you’re planning a trip abroad, some research on credit card acceptance can still help you know what to expect.

How can you determine whether Discover is accepted in a specific country?

To check for acceptance in a specific country, visit the Discover international credit card acceptance page. Select a country to review Discover credit card acceptance and ATM availability there.

Reminder: If you’re traveling internationally, you should notify Discover to ensure uninterrupted use of your Discover Card.

What can you expect when using your Discover Card in a foreign country?

When using your Discover Card in another country, you can expect to earn rewards on every purchase you make. Plus, Discover® has no foreign transaction fee.

Your Discover Card may accompany you on adventures around the world. Use your Discover® Credit Card at millions of places worldwide.2 If you’re a frequent globetrotter, you might consider a travel rewards credit card.

Learn More

You can look for the Discover and Diners Club International® acceptance marks when making a purchase. Even if you don’t see the acceptance marks, you can try using your card.

You can use a Discover Card at participating merchants to withdraw cash

Discover offers a cash at checkout option at participating stores that allows you to withdraw up to $120 in cash at the time of purchase—and helps you avoid ATM fees.5

How can you get a cash advance from your Discover Card?

It’s possible to use your Discover Card at a bank, ATM, or credit union for a cash advance up to your cash available limit. Keep in mind that a cash advance usually comes with a cash advance fee and begins accruing interest right away.

 

To set up your card to allow for cash advances, just contact customer service and get a PIN to use at the ATM. You may also present your credit card and a photo ID at a participating bank or credit union to get money. To find ATMs and banks where you can withdraw cash, check our ATM locator.

 

Keep in mind that your cash advance APR applies to the amount you take, and interest charges begin to accrue immediately.

The bottom line

If you’re looking for a credit card issuer that’s widely accepted and offers great perks and rewards, a Discover Card might be a good fit for you. You can count on your Discover Card whether you love to shop online, travel the world, or anything in between.

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