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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 an introductory 0% APR on purchases for six months. The Discover it Student Cash Back is ideal if you 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?
Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back: Which Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Discover it Student Chrome if: You value a higher effective reward rate for your spending. This card offers a competitive 2.7 effective reward rate. It is particularly beneficial if you frequently spend at gas stations and restaurants, where you can earn 2% cash back. Additionally, with no late fee on the first late payment and no penalty APR, it's forgiving for the occasional slip-up, boasting a penalty rating of 5. 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're enticed by the prospect of earning 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. Although the effective reward rate is not specified, the rotating categories can be highly rewarding if your spending aligns with the featured categories. Consumers can benefit from no annual fee, a rating of 5 and an introductory offer of 0% for six months on purchases, making this card a cost-effective choice for students starting their credit journey.
MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Student Chrome
Ideal for those with no credit history, the Discover it Student Chrome card offers a straightforward approach to earning rewards, with no annual fee and an introductory 0% APR on purchases for the first six months. Students can benefit from earning 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, making it a practical choice for everyday expenses. Additionally, the card comes with an introductory offer that matches all cash back earned at the end of the first year, doubling the rewards for new cardmembers.
Discover it® Student Chrome
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 6 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
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% – 2% cash back
Recommended Credit
(No Credit History)
MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Student Cash Back
The Discover it Student Cash Back card is for students looking to earn rewards while building credit. This card has no annual fee and is accessible to those with no credit history. Ideal for the reward-savvy student, it offers a generous 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, the introductory offer is quite appealing: an unlimited Cashback Match for the first year, which could significantly boost your rewards.
The card also provides a 0% intro APR on purchases for six months, extending to 10.99% for balance transfers in the same period, making it a smart pick for students planning upcoming purchases or considering a balance transfer. With no penalty APR and a late fee waiver on the first late payment, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is forgiving for those new to managing credit.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 6 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
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.
Earn 1% – 5% cash back
Recommended Credit
(No Credit History)
Details Comparison: Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back
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 Student Chrome or your spending is varied and the Student Cash Back is more advantageous for you.
Regular APR
The Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student Chrome 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
The Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student Chrome cards have no annual fee, making them equally attractive options for students looking to avoid extra costs.
Introductory 0% APRs
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% intro fee for transfers by May 10, 2024, with a minimum of $5. Neither card offers a superior introductory APR deal.
Rewards
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
Both the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student Chrome offer the same welcome bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. This makes neither card superior based on welcome offers alone.
Recommended Credit Score
Both cards are designed for students with no credit history. This makes them equally accessible to students just beginning to build their credit.
Penalties and Fees
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
Both the Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back cards are issued by Discover Bank and has the same issuer satisfaction rating.
Other Features & Perks
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.
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, making them great no annual fee cards.
Can I use the Discover it® Student cards for balance transfers?
Yes, both cards offer balance transfers with a 3% intro fee until May 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 intro 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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