MoneyGeek partners with leading industry experts and advertisers to help you get to your financial happy place. Our content is accurate when posted but offers may change over time.We may receive compensation for partner advertisements, but our editorial team independently reviews and ranks products. Learn more about our editorial policies.
MoneyGeek’s Take
The Discover it® Student Chrome is an excellent choice for students who frequently spend on gas and dining, providing automatic high cash back in these categories. It also has several student-friendly features: no annual fee, no security deposit, no FICO score requirement and a 0% intro APR period on purchases. The spending limit on bonus categories may dampen its appeal for some users, but this card gets a ‘W’ for most students.
Discover it® Student Chrome
Annual Fee
$0
Intro Offer
Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Cashback Match
The Discover it® Student Chrome is a game changer for budget-conscious students. It rewards you generously for those weekend outings and gas fill-ups without the burden of an annual fee. You also get a solid introductory offer, and there are no credit score requirements. As an added perk, at the end of your first year, Discover steps in to match all the cash back you've earned. Stay mindful of the spending limits on bonus categories, and watch out for the potential APR uptick after the introductory period. All in all, it's a card that truly understands the student lifestyle.
PROS
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR offer
- No credit score requirement
- High cash back for restaurant and gas
- Get a dollar-for-dollar cash back match
CONS
- Bonus categories have spending caps
- Potentially high APR
- Unlimited Cash Back Match — Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
- Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases — automatically.
- No credit score is required to apply.
- Reduces the exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people search sites that could sell your data. It's free; activate using the mobile app.
- No annual fee. Build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for six months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24%–27.24% applies.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Discover it® Student Chrome Card Overview
If you’re in college, the Discover it® Student Chrome is a standout choice as your first card. It accepts applicants without credit and has several student-friendly perks: no annual fee, no security deposit and a 0% intro APR period on purchases.
Additionally, it offers 2% cash back on gas and dining for up to $1,000 per quarter. Unlike its twin, the Discover it® Student Cash Back, you don’t need to activate categories to get bonus rewards with the Student Chrome. All other purchases get 1% cash back, and Discover doubles all the cash back you earn for the first year.
The spending cap can be a drag, and some cards may offer better cash back or bonuses. But if you want a low-maintenance card while you’re starting out, you can’t go wrong with the Discover it® Student Chrome.
>> MORE: MoneyGeek's Best Cash Back Credit Cards
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Although Discover states that you don’t need a FICO score to get the Discover it® Student Chrome, they will still assess your eligibility. Being a student doesn’t guarantee automatic approval. Like other student cards, you’ll need to provide proof of school enrollment and report your current and expected income when applying.
Discover it® Student Chrome Card Details
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Card Uses |
|
Annual Fee | $0 |
Introductory Offer | Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year |
Introductory APRs | 0% intro APR for six months on purchases |
Rewards |
|
Regular APRs | 18.24%–27.24% variable |
Penalty APR | None |
Balance Transfer Fees | 3% intro fee for transfers during the intro period (date varies) with the 10.99% intro APR balance transfer offer, then 5% of each transfer |
Late Fees | None the first time you pay late; after that, up to $41 |
Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
Other Perks |
|
Rewards Program Overview
The Discover it® Student Chrome Card caters to the everyday needs of students, offering a straightforward rewards program. With this card, you can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. All other purchases net you an unlimited 1% cash back.
Beyond the base rewards, Discover offers a unique first-year perk: a cash back match. This means that at the end of your first year, Discover will match all the cash back you've earned, doubling your rewards for that year. This bonus can be particularly appealing if you plan to use your card frequently.
When it comes to redemption, the cash back you earn never expires and is redeemable for any amount at any time. You can choose statement credits, deposits to bank accounts, charitable donations or paying with rewards at select merchants.
Why You Might Want This Card
The Discover it® Student Chrome is a great card for students, allowing you to build credit while earning cash back.
Helps Build Credit: You can qualify for this card even though you don’t have a FICO score. And because the card reports to the three major credit bureaus, using it responsibly will help you build your credit.
Get Cash Back: The card lets you earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. This could mean up to $80 back per year if you can maximize the cap. In addition, all the cash back you earn for the first year gets doubled, so you stand to earn up to $160 just from road trips and eating out.
Intro APR on Purchases: Benefit from a 0% intro APR on purchases for six months, providing a cushion for large expenses or emergencies.
Light on Fees: This card doesn’t have an annual fee or a security deposit. Moreover, it doesn’t charge a late fee the first time you miss a payment. Although you should always pay your dues on time, it’s reassuring to know that you have a get-out-of-jail-free card while you’re learning how to use your card responsibly.
Why You Might Want a Different Card
The Discover it® Student Chrome is a strong student card, but it takes the 'L' in some categories.
Rewards Cap: The 2% cash back on gas and dining is limited to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. If you’re a heavy spender and want a card that doesn’t have spending caps on bonus categories, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards may be a strong alternative.
Cash Back Match: The allure of doubling your cash back at the end of the first year is strong, but it requires you to spend significantly to reap the full benefits. If you want to get an easy cash bonus from your card, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards offers a $50 welcome bonus after you spend $100.
How Discover it® Student Chrome Compares
To help you assess if the Discover it® Student Chrome is right for you, we compare it with similar cash back cards.
Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back
Also issued by Discover, you can expect the same student-friendly features with the Discover it® Student Cash Back. Its main difference with the Student Chrome is its cash back: it offers 5% on rotating categories, which change every quarter and has a $1,500 spending cap. Its cash back rate is significantly higher, but it requires activation and can fall into a category you don’t use at all. Still, it can work as an alternative if you want maximum cash back on your purchases.
MoneyGeek Rating
3.6/ of 5
Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services and grocery stores. It lacks cash back on gas but offers higher rewards on more categories sans the cap. The catch? It’s not as accessible as the Discover it® Student Chrome, as you’ll need some credit history to qualify. But if you’ve been building your credit for a while and want better rewards, you can graduate to the SavorOne Student Card.
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ of 5
Is Discover it® Student Chrome Right for You?
The Discover it® Student Chrome card is a smart pick for students building their credit. There’s no credit requirement to qualify for this card, and it comes with several student-friendly benefits. Notably, it lets you earn 2% cash back on gas and dining (up to a quarterly limit) and has a first-year cash back match.
It’s the GOAT if you’re in college and only starting out adulting. However, if you’ve been playing the game for a while and have built some credit, other cards may offer better cash back rewards.
BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR STUDENTS IN 2024
Still undecided about the Discover it® Student Chrome? We rank the best student credit cards to help you on your journey to your financial happy place.
How We Evaluated the Discover it® Student Chrome Card
In evaluating the Discover it® Student Chrome, MoneyGeek considered a range of features that are particularly relevant to students. We scored the card against 60 other cards, with a focus on the following weighted criteria, listed from most to least significant in determining its Cash Back Score (out of a possible 5 points for each criterion):
- Reward Rate Efficiency (50%): A 5 rating here means the card offers a highly competitive cash back rate.
- Annual Fee (10%): A 5 rating indicates no annual fee, enhancing affordability.
- Introductory Purchase APR (5%): A top score reflects a valuable intro APR period.
- Credit Accessibility (5%): A 5 rating suggests the card is available to a broad credit spectrum.
- Issuer Satisfaction (5%): High customer satisfaction is reflected by a 5 rating.
- Penalties (5%): A 5 rating means no penalty rates or fees are imposed.
- Regular APR (5%): A competitive ongoing APR earns a 5 rating.
- Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): No fees on foreign transactions would score a 5.
- Balance Transfer Offer (5%): An excellent balance transfer offer is rated 5.
- Offer ROI (10%): A high return on investment for the card offers scores a 5.
This systematic approach ensures a balanced and comprehensive review, aligning with the card's identified pros and cons.
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.
sources
- Discover. "Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card." Accessed June 12, 2024.
- Discover. "Discover it® Student Chrome." Accessed June 12, 2024.
- Capital One. "SavorOne Rewards for Students." Accessed June 12, 2024.
*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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about
our editorial policies
and
expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure:
MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.