Verdict · Updated April 2026
Discover it Cash Back for First Credit Card
The Discover it Cash Back is a solid pick for first credit card — ranked #9 of 47 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
Rank #9 of 4783th percentileSolid option — check alternatives
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
Discover it Cash Back
Discover · No annual fee
Exceptional value with 5% rotating categories and a unique Cashback Match that doubles all rewards the first year.
Full card review
Earn math — First Credit Card profile
Based on typical first credit card spending of $9,720/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$146
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$146
Easy approvalZero feeSimple rewardsReports to all 3 bureaus
Where the Discover it Cash Back wins for first credit card
- Approvable with fair credit (580-669 FICO)
- Zero annual fee — no fixed cost to worry about
- Simple reward structure — easy to maximize without category tracking
Top 3 alternatives for first credit card
Cards that rank higher than or close to the Discover it Cash Back on our first credit card scoring model.
How the Discover it Cash Back performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the Discover it Cash Back a good card for first credit card?⌄
The Discover it Cash Back is a solid pick for first credit card — ranked #9 of 47 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
How much can I earn with the Discover it Cash Back on first credit card spending?⌄
At the typical first credit card spending profile of $9,720/year, this card earns approximately $146 in rewards — net $146 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the Discover it Cash Back for first credit card?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are Chase Freedom Rise, Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students, Discover it Student Cash Back. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for first credit card.
What credit score do I need for the Discover it Cash Back?⌄
The Discover it Cash Back typically requires fair credit. Approval also depends on income, existing debt, and application history — a score in the stated range doesn't guarantee approval.
Is the Discover it Cash Back's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The Discover it Cash Back has no annual fee — there's no breakeven to clear, so any rewards earned on first credit card spending are pure profit.
Want the full card review?
See rewards, fees, and all perks of the Discover it Cash Back