Discover it® Cash Back — earn more where you already spend

Curious how 5% categories and Cashback Match can boost everyday value? See what to check (and activate) before you apply.

The Discover it® Cash Back is designed for shoppers who want clear, repeatable value without an annual fee. Its pitch is simple: pair 5% rotating categories with automatic first-year Cashback Match and a user-friendly app to turn routine purchases into meaningful rewards—provided you plan around the calendar and activate each quarter.

A quick reason to look twice

Turn on the quarterly 5% (activation required) and stack Discover’s automatic Cashback Match after your first 12 billing cycles to amplify returns.

Benefits

• 5% rotating categories: Earn 5% on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases (then 1% on other buys) when you activate. That’s up to $75 each quarter.
• Cashback Match (Year One): Discover automatically matches all cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year—no limit.
• $0 annual fee & easy redemption: Keep fixed costs at zero while redeeming cash back flexibly.
• Travel-friendly pricing: Discover states there are no foreign transaction fees. Acceptance varies by location, so check your destination.
• Security & controls: Freeze your account in seconds to help block new purchases if the card is misplaced. $0 Fraud Liability applies to unauthorized purchases.

Product quality points — how they help you

• Planner-friendly: The rotating calendar often aligns with common categories (e.g., grocery, dining, gas); with reminders and in-app tracking, it’s easier to steer spend toward the active 5%.
• Beginner-supportive: Free FICO® Score access and app alerts encourage healthy habits like on-time payments and low utilization.

Potential savings & advantages

First-year lift: Because Cashback Match doubles your earned rewards, front-loading eligible purchases into active 5% quarters can yield strong first-year value without an annual fee eroding gains.

Potential savings & advantages

Fees you skip: With no annual fee—and no foreign transaction fees—you keep more of what you earn, at home and abroad (where accepted).

Potential safety

Freeze It: If your card goes missing, use the mobile on/off switch to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers while you look for it.

Potential safety

Fraud & visibility: $0 Fraud Liability plus app notifications help you spot and address suspicious activity quickly, limiting headaches and interruptions.

Application Process

1. Review the current offer & 5% calendar on the card page.
2. Check pre-approval (soft pull): See if you may qualify with no impact to your credit; if you choose to apply, a hard inquiry occurs.
3. Complete the application: Submit identity, income, and address details per the online form.
4. If approved, activate the quarter: Turn on the 5% category in the app or dashboard and set autopay/alerts.
5. Use, track, redeem: Monitor progress toward the $1,500 cap and redeem as you go. Discover will match your earned cash back after your first year.

FAQ

1) Do I have to activate categories? Yes—activate each quarter to earn 5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases; otherwise you’ll earn the base rate.
2) What exactly is Cashback Match? Discover automatically matches all cash back you earn in your first year; there’s no limit to the match.
3) Are there foreign transaction fees? Discover says there are none; check international acceptance where you’re headed.
4) Will checking pre-approval hurt my score? No—pre-approval uses a soft inquiry; a full application creates a hard pull.