Discover it Chrome review: Simple cash back, but limited rewards
Editor's Note
If you want a no-annual-fee cash-back card that automatically earns extra rewards at restaurants and gas stations, the Discover it® Chrome is straightforward and easy to use. But with just 2% cash back in those categories and a $1,000 quarterly spending cap, its long-term earning potential is limited compared with some competing cash-back cards.
The card is most compelling during the first year, when Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn. After that, though, it would be hard to justify as a primary everyday card for most people. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Discover it Chrome: The basics
The Discover it Chrome is a no-annual-fee cash-back card that rewards purchases at gas stations and restaurants. You'll earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases in those categories each quarter. Most other purchases earn 1% cash back.
The card's biggest draw is its first-year cash-back match. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned in your first year (with no cap).
After that, the earning structure weakens considerably. At 1% outside bonus categories, the Chrome falls short of the 1.5%-2% standard for flat-rate cash-back cards, making it less compelling in the long term.
Through 2027, Capital One is merging all of Discover's card products into its system. If you're a current cardholder, your account should transition at some point over the next year. New cardholders will immediately be put on Capital One's network. Certain perks covered in this review may be unavailable for current cardholders until their account is migrated to Capital One.
Keep an eye out for an email about your account migration.
Discover it Chrome pros and cons
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Related: Best Discover cards
Discover it Chrome benefits
The Discover it Chrome isn't a card I'd choose for premium perks, but it does offer several useful features — particularly if you're newer to credit cards.
Free FICO Score access
Discover provides cardmembers with a free FICO Score, and checking your score doesn't hurt your credit. The issuer also provides tools that can help you monitor your spending and manage your account.
Account freeze and fraud protection
If you misplace your card, you can quickly freeze the account through Discover's website or mobile app to prevent new purchases and cash advances. The card also includes $0 fraud liability for unauthorized purchases.
Other account management tools
Discover offers features including free Social Security number alerts, account alerts, a recurring-charges dashboard, a spend analyzer and digital wallet support.
These aren't benefits that will make the Chrome stand out among rewards cards, but they make the card approachable for someone who is still getting comfortable managing credit.
Related: 6 of our favorite under-the-radar credit card perks
How to earn and use your rewards
The Discover it Chrome's earning structure is refreshingly simple, but that's also where some of its limitations become apparent.
Earning cash back
With the Discover it Chrome, you'll earn:
- 5% cash back per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment*
- 5% back per dollar spent on hotels, rental cars and activities booked through Capital One Travel*
- 2% back on purchases at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter)
- 1% back on all other purchases
*These earning rates are only available once your account is on Capital One's network.
These are fine cash-back rates for a no-annual-fee card in two popular categories (gas and restaurants). However, the $1,000 quarterly cap on earning 2% back could be limiting for higher spenders. Aside from the first-year cash-back match, the Discover it Chrome doesn't provide the strongest earning options.
Assuming you spend $1,000 in the 2% categories each quarter, that's just $20 cash back.
Plus, there are other, arguably better, options for earning elevated cash back without an annual fee (more on these later).
Redeeming cash back
There are several ways to redeem the cash back earned with the Discover it Chrome.
You can redeem cash back for a statement credit or electronic deposit, and you can also use rewards with select merchants, purchase gift cards or make a charitable donation. Your cash back doesn't expire while your account remains open.
There is no minimum redemption amount, so you don't have to wait to accumulate a certain amount of cash back before using your rewards. That can make the Chrome approachable to someone who wants straightforward rewards without having to learn how to navigate a points or miles program.
Related: How to redeem cash-back rewards from your credit card
Where the Discover it Chrome falls short
The biggest drawback of the Discover it Chrome isn't that it has a bad earning structure — it's that there are many better ones.
The 2% rate at gas stations and restaurants sounds appealing until you look at the $1,000 combined quarterly cap. At the maximum, you're earning just $20 in cash back on $1,000 of spending each quarter. And because everything else earns only 1%, the card isn't particularly compelling for general spending.
The first-year cash-back match can make the Chrome a strong short-term option, but once the match ends, you're left with a card that earns 1% on most purchases.
Discover it Chrome vs. Discover it Cash Back
If you're deciding between Discover's two primary cash-back cards, I'd generally lean toward the Discover it® Cash Back for someone willing to put in a little more effort.
The Discover it Cash Back earns 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when activated, plus 1% on other purchases. These categories change throughout the year and can include common expenses like groceries, gas stations and restaurants. The Chrome, by comparison, automatically earns 2% on gas and restaurants, but only on the first $1,000 in combined spending each quarter.
The Chrome is easier because you never have to remember to activate a category. But if maximizing rewards is your priority, the Discover it Cash Back has more upside.
Is the Discover it Chrome worth it?
The Discover it Chrome is worth considering if you want a simple, no-annual-fee card and expect to get significant value from the first-year Cashback Match.
For long-term everyday spending, though, I think most people can do better with a card that offers a higher return on purchases without such a restrictive quarterly cap.
When to apply for the Discover it Chrome
The best time to consider the Discover it Chrome is when you can take advantage of its first-year Cashback Match.
There's no limit to how much you can earn with the cash-back match at the end of your first year, which means your earnings are effectively doubled after 12 months.
This can be a solid offer if you plan to use the card frequently in your first year.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses currently available
Other cards to consider if you don't want the Discover it Chrome
If you're primarily looking for cash back, the Discover it Chrome isn't your only option — and in many cases, it isn't the strongest one.
- If you want to earn more on gas purchases: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (compared with the Discover it Chrome's 2%). However, it carries an annual fee after the introductory first year (see rates and fees), so consider whether your spending justifies that added cost. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.
- If you want straightforward 2% cash rewards: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees) earns 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee. It's a good fit if you'd rather earn a consistent rate without having to track bonus categories or spending caps. To learn more, read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
- If you spend more on dining and groceries: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, all for no annual fee.To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash.
For additional options, check out our list of the best cash-back cards.
Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card
Bottom line
There are better options to earn more cash back on your gas station and restaurant purchases than the Discover it Chrome, even if you aren't looking to pay an annual fee. If you're comfortable with managing rotating bonus categories, you'll likely find more value in Discover's other cash-back offering, the Discover it Cash Back.
Those willing to spend a decent amount on the Discover it Chrome in the first 12 months of holding it will most likely receive the most value from it. For most people, I say there are better options.
Learn more: Discover it Chrome Card
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
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- No foreign transaction fees
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.