Discover it® Chrome Credit Card Review

Please Note: Information about the Discover it® chrome and Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by TheSimpleDollar.com. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.

With the Discover it® chrome credit card in your wallet there’s no need to worry about rotating bonus categories or complicated redemption strategies. This is a straightforward cash-back card that offers 1% cash back on everything and 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Discover matches your cash back at the end of the first year.

What we like about it

The Discover it® chrome credit card is a simple rewards card. Cash-back rewards, earned at 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases, never expire. At the end of your first year as a Discover it® chrome card user, Discover will match the cash back you’ve earned throughout the year as a bonus.

There aren’t any restrictions about when you redeem your rewards, and there are no minimum redemption amounts. You can even use your Discover it® chrome cash-back rewards at Amazon.com at checkout.

Things to consider

To get the Discover it® chrome credit card, you’ll need good to excellent credit scores.

For those who frequently travel outside the United States, the Discover it® chrome card may not be the best choice as a sole credit card. Discover isn’t accepted in many countries, including the majority of Africa, most countries directly east of China and some South American countries.

Cash-back rewards at the 2% level convert to 1% when you reach the maximum of $1,000 in purchases each quarter. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. So, even though it’s a nice rate of rewards, you can earn just $20 in cash-back rewards per quarter at 2% cash back.

Discover it® chrome Credit Card cash back details

You’ll get 1% cash back on every purchase made with the card, without limits. The first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter you spend at gas stations and restaurants earns 2%. After you reach the spending limit during a quarter, the rewards rate in those categories reverts to 1%. At the end of your first year, after your 12th statement, Discover will match your cash-back earnings without limits.

Redeeming rewards is simple. You can choose to credit your account when your cash-back balance is just $.01. You can pay select merchants with your cash back, deposit cash-back rewards into an account, use cash back as a charitable donation or use it to purchase eCertificates and gift cards from Discover’s partners.

How does it compare to other cash back cards?

If you think the Discover it® chrome cash-back card is a good choice, consider the Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi® Double Cash Credit Card. Late payments with the Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card won’t increase your APR, and there aren’t any foreign transaction fees with this card. The Citi® Double Cash Credit Card won’t charge you a late fee the first time you miss a payment due date.

With the Citi® Double Cash Credit Card, you’ll earn 2% cash back on all purchases, but you’ll get 1% when you use the card and 1% when you pay the bill. There are no limits or caps on earnings with this card, unlike the Discover it® chrome card, which imposes a $1,000 limit on the 2% reward level per quarter.

With the Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase without limits. This card also offers an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, then an ongoing 15.49% - 25.49% (Variable).

Discover it® chrome is the only cash-back card offering a 100% match of the rewards earned at the end of your first year of owning the card.