Discover it® Chrome

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 0% intro for 6 months (purchases) / 18 months (balance transfers), then 17.99%–26.99% variable
• Rewards: 2% at gas & restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter) + 1% on everything else
• Bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match (doubles all first-year cash back)
• Best For: Gas station and restaurant spenders, balance transfers, simplicity seekers
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Discover it® Chrome is a straightforward no annual fee cash back credit card that rewards you with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter) and 1% on all other purchases. New cardmembers benefit from Cashback Match where Discover automatically matches all cash back earned in your first year, plus an impressive 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months.

What makes this card appealing is its simplicity—no rotating categories to activate, no complex reward structures. Just automatic 2% cash back at two of the most common spending categories, doubled to 4% in your first year thanks to Cashback Match. Combined with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's an excellent set-it-and-forget-it rewards card.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 6 months, then 17.99%–26.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months, then 17.99%–26.99% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: The 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers is one of the longest available among no annual fee cards, making this excellent for debt consolidation.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• No foreign transaction fees (use internationally without extra charges)
• Emergency card replacement worldwide
• 24/7 fraud protection while traveling
• Wide acceptance at 99% of merchants nationwide and abroad

Everyday Benefits

• $0 fraud liability guarantee (never responsible for unauthorized purchases)
• Free FICO credit score monitoring
• Social Security number dark web monitoring alerts
• Account freeze feature via mobile app or website
• 24/7 U.S.-based customer service
• Automatic 2% cash back (no activation needed)

Lifestyle Benefits

• Customizable card designs to personalize your card
• Cash back redemption through PayPal
• Gift card redemptions (often at discounted rates)
• Statement credit or direct deposit options
• No minimum redemption threshold

Rewards & Cash Back

• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically (no activation required)
• 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
• Quarterly cap: $1,000 combined on gas and restaurant purchases earning 2% (earns $20/quarter max, then 1%)
• No activation required: Unlike rotating category cards, 2% is automatic year-round
• No expiration: Cash back won't expire for the life of the account
• Redemption options: Cash at any amount, statement credit, gift cards, PayPal transfer, or Amazon purchases

Why Automatic Rewards Matter

• No quarterly calendar reminders needed
• No risk of missing activation windows
• No category planning required
• Consistent earning rates year-round

Pro Tip: This card shines for people who regularly spend at gas stations and restaurants but don't want to manage rotating categories or complex reward structures.

Welcome Bonus

Unlimited Cashback Match: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. There is no limit to how much they'll match, and this applies even if you redeem rewards throughout the year.

Example Value:

• Earn $150 cash back in your first year
• Get matched with an additional $150
• Total: $300

This essentially doubles your rewards rate to 4% at gas and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter) and 2% everywhere else during your first year.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Minimum Interest Charge: $0.50

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Gas station regulars who fill up frequently
• Restaurant enthusiasts who dine out often
• Simplicity seekers who don't want to manage rotating categories
• Balance transfer needs with industry-leading 18-month 0% intro APR
• First-year value maximizers capitalizing on Cashback Match
• International travelers (no foreign transaction fees)
• Set-it-and-forget-it users who want automatic rewards

Not Good For

• High spenders exceeding $1,000/quarter in gas/restaurants (2% caps)
• Category maximizers wanting higher rates (3-5% cards available)
• Those needing long 0% on purchases (only 6 months vs. competitors' 15+ months)
• Premium travel benefit seekers (no lounge access, travel credits, etc.)
• Balance carriers (high variable APR after intro period)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee makes it cost-free to hold forever
• Unlimited Cashback Match doubles all first-year earnings (effectively 4% + 2%)
• Automatic 2% cash back at gas and restaurants—no quarterly activation needed
• Industry-leading 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers
• Simple rewards structure without rotating categories to track
• No foreign transaction fees for international use
• Cash back never expires as long as account remains open
• Free FICO credit score access for cardmembers
• $0 fraud liability guarantee with robust security features
• Social Security number dark web monitoring alerts
• 99% acceptance rate at merchants nationwide
• Flexible redemption options with no minimum threshold
• 24/7 U.S.-based customer service

Cons

• Lower 2% earning rate compared to competitors offering 3-4% in dining/gas
• Relatively short 6-month 0% intro APR on purchases vs. competitors (15+ months)
• Quarterly cap of $1,000 on 2% categories limits high spenders ($20 max/quarter)
• No bonus categories beyond gas and restaurants
• Variable APR can be high (up to 26.99%) after intro period if carrying a balance
• Balance transfer fee applies (3% intro, then up to 5%)
• Requires good credit (670+) for approval
• No sign-up bonus beyond Cashback Match

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value (First Year with Cashback Match)

If you spend $12,000 per year with typical gas/dining expenses:

First-Year Total Value: $320

Ongoing Annual Value (After First Year):

Ongoing Yearly Value: $160

Comparison:

• Discover it® Chrome: $160/year ongoing
• Flat 2% card (Wells Fargo Active Cash): $240/year on same spend
• 3% dining card (Capital One SavorOne): Higher if you spend more on dining

Note: The Chrome card's value depends heavily on your gas/restaurant spending patterns and whether you hit the $1,000 quarterly caps.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If…

• You regularly spend at gas stations and restaurants but not more than $1,000/quarter combined
• You want simple, automatic rewards without category management
• You need an extended 18-month 0% intro APR for balance transfers
• You want to maximize first-year value with the Cashback Match
• You travel internationally and need no foreign transaction fees
• You have good credit (670+) and want a no annual fee rewards card
• You prefer straightforward earning over complex category tracking

You Should Skip It If…

• You spend more than $1,000/quarter on gas and restaurants (2% caps)
• You want higher earning rates (3-5% available on other cards)
• You need a long 0% intro APR on purchases (only 6 months here)
• You're looking for premium travel benefits
• You have fair credit or below (consider student or secured cards)
• You want a single 2% flat rate with no caps (Wells Fargo Active Cash)

Apply Now

Apply for Discover it® Chrome

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.