Discover it® Balance Transfer Review

0% intro APR for balance transfers — Includes a 0% intro APR for 18 months for balance transfers, after which the go-to variable rate applies. Note, the promo period extends for 18 months since the first transfer, not from account opening, as is common and more restrictive for other balance-transfer credit cards.

0% intro APR for purchases — The 0% intro APR for purchases spans six months, after which the go-to variable rate applies.

5% bonus cash back — 5% cash back at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, select rideshares, and online shopping up to the quarterly maximum ($1,500 of spending) each time you activate. Maxing out bonus categories each quarter is worth $75 cash back.

Double cash back after the first year — Discover will match all the cash back earned during the first year for new cardholders. Cardholders who max out bonus categories quarterly can expect a total of $600 cash-back. For the number crunchers out there, that’s $1,500 of quarterly spending in bonus categories ($6,000 per year), which earns cash back at a 5% rate. Add Discover’s match on top, and you’ll receive $300, plus another $300 for the match in your first year! Importantly, spending that earns at a 1% rate is excluded, but Discover matches that as well.

$0 annual fee — Credit cards packed with valuable features tend to charge high fees or APRs. This card balances this relationship well and doesn’t charge an annual fee, making it a fit for cardholders with modest credit needs, who won’t see their rewards get wiped out by an annual fee.

No foreign transaction fees — Most competing cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee for each and every swipe abroad. This card doesn’t.