Discover it® Cash Back Review: 5% Rewards That Require Some Effort

The Discover it® Cash Back Card is for savvy spenders looking to maximize cash back on everyday purchases. It lets you earn 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter (like gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants) and comes with an unlimited cash back match offer in the first year — both features unique to Discovery. The card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. Although bonus categories are capped and require activation, this card offers a compelling way to earn high rewards from your purchases.

The Discover it® Cash Back Card has a dynamic cash back program ideal for consumers who are strategic with their spending. With 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, it caters to those willing to plan their purchases to get high rewards. Beyond its rotating rewards, the card’s first-year cash back match can significantly amplify the rewards earned. It also offers a 0% introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, a welcome feature for anyone with a large upcoming expense or existing balances.

However, the card requires a proactive approach to maximize benefits due to the quarterly cap on bonus categories and the need for activation. The low regular cash back rate outside of bonus categories may also lead consumers to consider other cards for non-category spending.

If you prefer a more straightforward rewards structure without the need to track rotating categories, flat-rate cash back cards may be more suitable.

>> MORE: MoneyGeek's Best Cash Back Cards

The Discover it® Cash Back Card is designed for those who want to earn significant cash back on their everyday purchases. With this card, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating categories each quarter.

Note that the bonus categories change every year. Review the cash back calendar below for the bonus rewards categories.

Activation is required to earn the 5% rate; all other purchases get 1% cash back. The cash back you earn does not expire and can be redeemed anytime.

You can receive your cash back as statement credit, gift cards, donations or an electronic deposit to any account you designate. This flexibility ensures that you can use your rewards in the way that best suits your financial needs and preferences.

Get high rewards from common spending categories with the Discover it® Cash Back Card. Here's why it's a smart choice for your wallet:

The Discover it® Cash Back card is great for people who don't mind doing some work to get maximum rewards on their purchases. However, it may not work if you want automatic cash back.

We compare the Discover it® Cash Back with similar cash back cards to help you weigh this card against the competition.

Discover it® Chrome: The Discover it® Chrome is a similar card from Discover, but it focuses on providing 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. There’s a $1,000 combined cap on those bonus categories, and all other purchases receive 1% cash back. If you want to enjoy the cash back match feature and spend heavily on gas and dining out, the Discover it® Chrome can be an alternative.

>> MORE: Discover it® Chrome vs. Discover it® Cash Back Card

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 3% cash back on restaurants, entertainment and grocery stores. You may find this card more lucrative despite its lower rate since it provides uncapped rewards on everyday categories.

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

With its rotating 5% categories, a natural pair for the Discover it Cash Back card is a flat-rate cash back card. You can use the Discover card for purchases that fall into its bonus categories to get 5% cash back. For all other purchases, you can use the flat-rate cash back card.

The key to this strategy is finding a cash back card with a high flat rate, like the Citi Double Cash® or the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, offering 2% cash back on all purchases.

The Discover it® Cash Back Card could be a smart choice if you're proactive with your finances. If you regularly spend in the card's rotating categories and don't mind activating them quarterly, you'll benefit from the 5% cash back. This card is also ideal if you have a large purchase on the horizon or existing debt, thanks to the 0% introductory APR for 15 months. However, if you prefer a card with a high, non-rotating cash back rate, or if tracking category activation seems tedious, you might want to consider other options.

In evaluating the Discover it® Cash Back Card, MoneyGeek considered a range of features, prioritizing the card's cash back capabilities. Here's how the weights were applied to the card's Cash Back Score, from highest to lowest percentage:

• Cash Back Offer: 50% (A 5 rating represents the most favorable cash back terms)
• Regular APR: 15% (A 5 rating indicates a highly competitive APR)
• Intro Purchase APR: 15% (A 5 rating denotes an advantageous introductory APR on purchases)
• Issuer Satisfaction: 5% (A 5 rating reflects top-tier customer satisfaction)
• Penalties: 5% (A 5 rating means minimal penalty fees and rates)
• Effective Reward Rate: 5% (A 5 rating signifies a high rewards earning potential)
• Recommended Credit: 5% (A 5 rating suggests the card is accessible to a wide range of credit scores)

This card was one of 60 reviewed, ensuring a comprehensive comparison across the market.