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.