Discover it Cash Back
Discover · Cashback review
First-card or rebuild-tier readers who want a $0 AF card with rotating 5% categories and Discover's year-one Cashback Ma
Sorted by score, never commission
Annual fee
$0
No annual fee, every year
Ongoing APR
18.24% – 27.24% variable
Variable — verify the current range at the issuer
Intro APR
0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
Then the ongoing APR applies
As of June 29, 2026
Best for
First-card or rebuild-tier readers who want a $0 AF card with rotating 5% categories and Discover's year-one Cashback Match. Customer service is the best in the industry.
Not for
International travelers (Discover acceptance outside the U.S. is spotty) and anyone who won't activate the rotating quarterly category — outside the bonus, the card earns 1%.
The catch
The year-one Cashback Match doubles everything you earn at the end of year 1 — but it's a one-time event. Year 2 onward, you're earning 5% on a $1,500/qtr cap and 1% on everything else. Plan the card around year 1 economics, then re-evaluate.
Card facts
Sourced from the issuer's published Schumer Box and terms — confirm current numbers at the issuer.
Product specs
- Annual fee
- $0
- Intro APR
- 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
- Ongoing APR
- 18.24% – 27.24% variable
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Balance transfer fee
- 3% intro, then 5%
- Late payment fee
- Up to $41 (first late payment fee waived)
- Schumer Box verified
- June 29, 2026
How we scored this card
See our published methodology — 5 dimensions, 0–20 each, 100-point total.
Frequently asked
Does the Discover it Cash Back charge an annual fee?
No. The Discover it Cash Back carries a $0 annual fee, sourced from the issuer's published Schumer Box as of June 29, 2026. Rates change — confirm the current terms at the issuer.
What APR does the Discover it Cash Back charge?
18.24% – 27.24% variable. There is also an intro rate: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. APRs are variable and set by the issuer — confirm the current range on the issuer's Schumer Box before you commit.
Does the Discover it Cash Back charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The Discover it Cash Back has no foreign transaction fee, so it works cleanly for purchases abroad.
Who is the Discover it Cash Back best for?
First-card or rebuild-tier readers who want a $0 AF card with rotating 5% categories and Discover's year-one Cashback Match. Customer service is the best in the industry.
Who should skip the Discover it Cash Back?
International travelers (Discover acceptance outside the U.S. is spotty) and anyone who won't activate the rotating quarterly category — outside the bonus, the card earns 1%.
How did ClearValue score the Discover it Cash Back?
Discover it Cash Back scored 88/100 — "Solid pick". We score every card across five dimensions (effective rewards, fee structure, audience fit, transparency, and whether an honest weakness is named), 0–20 each. Scores are never influenced by commission. See our methodology for the full rubric.
Alternatives to the Discover it Cash Back
Other cashback cards we've scored, ranked by our methodology.
- DiscoverCanon
Discover it Secured
90/100Annual fee$0Ongoing APR28.24%Intro APR10.99% on balance transfers for 6 monthsBest forCredit-builders who want a $0 AF secured card that reports to all three bureaus, earns rotating-category cashback, AND g
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-06-29
- Capital OneSolid pick
Capital One Quicksilver Secured
89/100Annual fee$0Ongoing APR29.99%Foreign txn feeNoneBest forCredit-builders who want a secured card that reports to all three bureaus AND earns 1
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-06-29
- Capital OneSolid pick
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards
89/100Annual fee$0Ongoing APRVariable*Foreign txn feeNoneBest forDining- and entertainment-heavy households that want 3% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, popular streaming, and
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-07-08
