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If you're a student looking for a rewarding credit card experience, you may be considering the Discover it® Student Chrome and the Discover it® Student Cash Back. Both cards offer attractive features for those with no credit history, such as a $0 annual fee and a six-month introductory 0% APR on purchases. The Discover it Student Cash Back is better if you can maximize the 5% cash back in rotating categories, while the Discover it Student Chrome caters to consistent earners with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants.
Discover it® Student Chrome
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% variable
18.24% - 27.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 6 months on purchases
0% for 6 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards Summary
Earn 1% – 2% cash back
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Earn 1% – 5% cash back
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Recommended Credit
(No Credit History)
(No Credit History)
Not sure?
Which Card Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Discover it Student Chrome if you value a higher effective reward rate for your spending. It is particularly beneficial if you frequently spend at gas stations and restaurants, where you can earn 2% cash back. It's forgiving for the occasional slip-up, with no late fee on the first late payment and no penalty APR. For those who plan to use their card regularly for eligible purchases, the card has an expected reward value of $341.
You might prefer the Discover it Student Cash Back if you can maximize the 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. The rotating categories can be highly rewarding if your spending aligns with the featured categories. Consumers can benefit from no annual fee and an introductory offer of 0% for six months on purchases, making this card a cost-effective choice for students starting their credit journey.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features
Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features, helping you align your choice with your spending patterns and financial goals — whether you dine out frequently or commute and can benefit from the Discover it Student Chrome or your spending is varied and the Discover itStudent Cash Back is more advantageous for you.
Regular APR: Tie
The Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back cards both offer a regular APR range of 18.24% to 27.24% variable. Neither card offers a better APR rate, as they are identical in this aspect.
Annual Fee: Tie
The Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back cards have no annual fee, making them equally attractive options for students looking to avoid extra costs.
Introductory 0% APRs: Tie
The Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back both offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases for six months and a 10.99% introductory APR on balance transfers for the same period. There is a 3% introductory fee for transfers by November 10, 2024. Neither card offers a superior introductory APR deal.
Rewards: Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back offers a higher rewards rate with 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, compared to Discover it Student Chrome's 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. Discover it Student Cash Back is better for rewards.
Welcome Offers: Tie
Both the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student Chrome offer the same welcome bonus: unlimited cash back match for all new cardmembers. Neither card is superior based on welcome offers alone.
Recommended Credit Score: Tie
Both cards are designed for students with no credit history, making them equally accessible to students just beginning to build their credit.
Penalties and Fees: Discover it Student Chrome
Discover it Student Chrome is better for penalties and fees, with a higher rating in this category. Discover it Student Cash Back offers no late fee on the first late payment, then up to $41 after. Both cards impose a cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater. Discover it Student Chrome does not specify a late fee policy, contributing to its higher rating.
Issuer Satisfaction: Tie
Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back cards have the same issuer satisfaction rating since Discover Bank issues them.
Other Features & Perks: Tie
Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back cards offer similar perks, including free access to your FICO® Credit Score and Social Security number alerts, as they are both issued by Discover. Neither card has a distinct advantage in terms of other features and perks.
Rewards Comparison
When it comes to rewards, the Discover it Student Cash Back card leads with its 5% cash back in rotating categories, which can be highly rewarding if your spending aligns with those categories. However, it requires quarterly activation and tracking, which might not suit everyone's preferences.
On the other hand, the Discover it Student Chrome card offers a steady 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, making it a straightforward choice for those who consistently spend in these areas.
For those who prefer simplicity and dine out or drive frequently, the Discover it Student Chrome card's consistent rewards in these categories could be more appealing. However, for those willing to activate and align their spending with the rotating categories, the Discover it Student Cash Back card could yield a higher rewards rate. The table below provides a detailed comparison of the bonus categories for each card.
Category | Discover it Student Chrome | Discover it Student Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
Gas Stations | 2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter/1% thereafter | 5% if activated rotating category, up to the quarterly max/1% |
Restaurants | 2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter/1% thereafter | 5% if activated rotating category, up to the quarterly max/1% |
Grocery Stores | 1% | 5% if activated rotating category, up to the quarterly max/1% |
Rotating Quarterly Categories | N/A | 5% if activated rotating category, up to the quarterly max/1% |
All Other Purchases | 1% | 1% |
Redeeming Rewards
After accumulating rewards with either the Discover it Student Cash Back or Discover it Student Chrome, you can redeem your cash back at any time and in any amount, ensuring that your rewards are always accessible. Both cards offer various redemption options, including statement credits, direct deposits to bank accounts and gift cards.
Methodology
MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back using a detailed ranking process. For each card, scores are assigned for various use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers.
In this comparison, the cards' highest-scoring use case is cash back. The most significant factors determining their scores include the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. Other considerations include annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction. To better understand our scoring system, you can review our ranking methodology.
FAQ: Discover it Student Chrome vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
What are the main differences in rewards between Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back?
Discover it Student Chrome offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, while Discover it Student Cash Back has 5% cash back on rotating categories.
Do either of the Discover student cards have an annual fee?
No, both the Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back cards have no annual fee.
Can I use the Discover it Student cards for balance transfers?
Both cards offer balance transfers with a 3% introductory fee until November 10, 2024. However, they have a low balance transfer offer rating.
What is the APR for purchases after the introductory period on both Discover it Student cards?
After the introductory period, both cards have a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.24%.
Are there foreign transaction fees associated with either Discover it Student card?
Both Discover credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international use.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
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