Discover it Cash Back Review
Discover · Those who enjoy maximizing rotating categories
Our Expert Verdict
Exceptional value with 5% rotating categories and a unique Cashback Match that doubles all rewards the first year.
Pros
- Cashback Match doubles first-year rewards
- 5% rotating categories
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Accepts fair credit
Cons
- Must activate quarterly categories
- Discover less widely accepted internationally
- 5% cap at $1,500/quarter
Cashback Match — Discover matches ALL cash back earned in your first year
Key Benefits & Perks
Rewards Breakdown
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Rotating Categories (quarterly) | 5% |
| Everything else | 1% |
In-Depth Review
Who Is the Discover it Cash Back Best For?
The Discover it Cash Back is perfect for savvy shoppers who enjoy maximizing rotating categories and want genuinely free rewards with no annual fee. The first-year Cashback Match — where Discover doubles all the cash back you earn in your first 12 months — makes it one of the most valuable first-year offers of any credit card, period. It's also excellent for people building credit, as Discover is known for approving applicants with limited credit history.
Rotating Categories Explained
Each quarter, Discover activates a different set of categories that earn 5% cash back (up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%). You must activate the bonus each quarter — it's not automatic. Recent categories have included: Q1 grocery stores and fitness clubs, Q2 gas stations and home improvement stores, Q3 restaurants and PayPal, Q4 Amazon.com, Target, and Walmart.com.
On non-bonus purchases, you earn 1% — lower than flat-rate competitors. This means the Discover it is best used as a secondary card for bonus categories, paired with a 2% flat-rate card (like the Citi Double Cash) for everything else.
First-Year Cashback Match Is Incredible
In your first year, all cash back is doubled at the end of the year. If you earn $300 in cash back, Discover adds another $300 for free. To maximize this, make the Discover it your primary card during bonus quarters and try to hit the $1,500 cap each quarter. Maximum first-year value: $300 in bonus cash back + $300 match = $600.
No Fees, Period
The Discover it has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee (rare for a no-fee card), no late fee on your first late payment, and no over-limit fee. Discover also offers a free FICO score on every statement and free Social Security number alerts. The customer service is consistently rated #1 among credit card issuers — with U.S.-based representatives available 24/7.
The Acceptance Issue
The main drawback of Discover is acceptance. While it's accepted at 99% of U.S. merchants, international acceptance is significantly lower than Visa or Mastercard. If you travel abroad, carry a Visa or Mastercard as backup. Domestically, the only notable gaps are Costco (which exclusively accepts Visa) and some small businesses.
The Bottom Line
The Discover it Cash Back is one of the best no-annual-fee cards available, especially in the first year when the Cashback Match effectively doubles your rewards. The rotating 5% categories add fun gamification to your spending, and Discover's legendary customer service provides peace of mind. Use it for bonus categories, pair it with a flat-rate card for everything else, and enjoy free rewards with zero fees.
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Those who enjoy maximizing rotating categories
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Customer Reviews
3 reviews
Cashback Match is incredible
Discover literally doubled all my cash back the first year. I earned about $350 and they matched it to $700. No other card does this.
My first and favorite card
Got this in college and still use it 5 years later. The 5% rotating categories keep things interesting and the app is excellent.
Great card, limited acceptance abroad
Love everything about this card except that Discover isn't as widely accepted internationally as Visa/MC. Always need a backup when traveling.
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