Discover it® Cash Back Card
vs. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Updated: June 22, 2024

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Both the Discover it Cash Back Card and the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offer enticing rewards and introductory APR periods, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to optimize their credit card usage. The SavorOne edges ahead with its higher cash back score and unlimited 3% cash back in multiple categories.

However, the Discover it Cash Back is good for its introductory APR offer and the unique first-year cash back match. Ultimately, the best card for you depends on your preference for consistent rewards versus maximizing cash back in rotating categories.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Cash Back Card
Discover it® Cash Back Card
Credit Card logo for Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    18.24%–28.24% variable
    19.99% - 29.99% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% intro APR for 15 months
    0% for 15 months on purchases
    Intro Offer
    Matches cash back earned at the end of the first 12 months
    Earn $200 Cash Back
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1%–5% cash back
    Earn 1% to 8% cash back
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% intro APR for 15 months
    0% for 15 months on balance transfers
    Balance Transfer Fee
    3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)
    5% of each transfer ($5 minimum)
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Recommended Credit
    670–850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Penalty APR
    None
    Up to 29.99% (variable)
    Not sure?

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the SavorOne Cash if you frequently spend on dining, entertainment and travel. With its higher cash back rates in these categories and a $200 welcome offer, it's a strong choice for those who value straightforward rewards without the need to activate or track rotating categories.

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you can take advantage of the rotating categories to earn 5% cash back. The first-year cash back match can be particularly lucrative if you maximize the bonus categories throughout the year.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will illuminate which card aligns with your financial habits. For instance, if you dine out frequently, SavorOne Cash's unlimited 3% cash back on dining could be more beneficial than Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories. Use this section to match card benefits with your spending patterns.

    discount icon

    Regular APR: Discover it Cash Back

    Discover It Cash Back has a lower starting APR of 17.24% compared to SavorOne Cash's starting APR of 19.99%.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Discover it Cash Back and the avorOne Cash have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back card is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, with a lower initial balance transfer fee of 3%. Both cards provide a 15-month 0% intro period, but the SavorOne Cash charges a higher balance transfer fee of 5%.

    coins icon

    Rewards: SavorOne Cash

    The SavorOne Cash is better for rewards, offering up to 8% cash back on entertainment and travel booked through Capital One and 3% on dining and groceries without the need to track rotating categories. Discover it Cash Back offers 5% in rotating categories but requires activation and has a quarterly cap.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers: SavorOne Cash

    The SavorOne Cash card offers a better welcome bonus, featuring a $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first 3 months, translating to a higher return on investment (ROI) of 40% compared to the Discover it Cash Back's match offer at the end of the first year.

    creditApproved icon

    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Discover it Cash Back and the SavorOne Cash require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are equally accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit.

    autopay icon

    Penalties and Fees: Discover it Cash Back

    The Discover it Cash Back card is better for penalties and fees, offering no penalty APR and a first late payment waiver. Both cards charge the same for cash advances, but Discover's higher penalties rating indicates overall more lenient fees.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it® Cash Back Card

    Discover has a higher issuer satisfaction with a rating of 4.5, compared to Capital One's 4.2.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Discover it Cash Back matches all cash back earned in the first year, with no minimum spending required. It also helps minimize online exposure of personal data. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards offers 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats and complimentary Uber One membership statement credits, plus 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.

Rewards Comparison

When it comes to rewards, the SavorOne Cash card stands out with its higher expected reward value and diverse earning categories. With no annual fee, it offers significant cash back on dining, entertainment and travel booked through Capital One, making it a strong contender for those with varied spending.

The Discover it Cash Back card, while not as broadly rewarding, has the potential for high returns in its rotating categories, which could outpace the SavorOne Cash if your spending aligns with those categories. Notably, the Discover it Cash Back card requires quarterly activation to earn 5% cash back on these rotating categories, which can include gas stations, grocery stores and online shopping, among others.

Below is a table of bonus categories to help you compare the rewards programs of both cards.

Category
Discover it Cash Back
SavorOne Cash

Dining

1%

3%

Entertainment

1%

3%/8% on Capital One Entertainment

Grocery Stores

5% for the first $1,500 quarterly if a rotating category/1% thereafter

3%

Streaming Services

1%

3%

Travel

1%

5% if booked through Capital One Travel portal

Redeeming Rewards

After earning rewards, the next step is redeeming them. The SavorOne Cash allows for redemption as a statement credit, check or gift cards, with the flexibility of automatic redemptions. Rewards remain valid for the account's lifetime. The Discover it Cash Back offers a variety of redemption options, including direct deposit and payment at select retailers, with no minimum amount required and the ability to redeem at any time. However, rewards will be forfeited if the account is inactive for over 18 months.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Discover it Cash Back and SavorOne Cash using a tailored scoring system. For instance, Discover it Cash Back is assessed for its balance transfer features, while SavorOne Cash is rated for cash back rewards.

The important factors in these scores include the introductory purchase APR, the regular APR for balance transfers and the effective reward rate for cash back. For a detailed understanding of our process, explore our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Discover it Cash Back vs. SavorOne Cash Card

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Do either of the cards have an annual fee?
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Are there any welcome offers with these credit cards?
How do the foreign transaction fees compare between the two cards?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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