Discover it Miles vs. Discover it Cash Back Credit Card Comparison

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Both the Discover it Miles and Discover it Cash Back cards offer rewards and have no annual fee, making them strong contenders for anyone looking to maximize credit card benefits. If you're seeking straightforward rewards with every purchase, the Discover it Miles card edges out with its unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent and flexible redemption options.

However, the Discover it Cash Back offers 5% cash back in rotating categories. While both cards boast a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, the Discover it Miles card's additional perk of no foreign transaction fees makes it a slightly better option for travelers. Still, the Discover it Cash Back card's potential cash back in the first year could be a game-changer for those who spend heavily in its bonus categories.

Discover it® Miles

Discover it® Cash Back Card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.9/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

3.8/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% variable
18.49% - 27.49%variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% for 15 months on purchases
Intro Offer
Discover Match®
Matches cash back at the end of your first year
Rewards Summary
Earn unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase
Earn 1%–5% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
3% for each balance transfer, minimum $5
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670–850 (good to excellent)
Penalty APR
None
None
Not sure?
The Discover it Miles is the go-to for simplicity and travel, offering 1.5x miles on every purchase and no foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Discover it Cash Back caters to those who can maximize the 5% cash back on rotating categories.
Both cards have a $0 annual fee and similar APRs, but the Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories could yield more rewards if spending aligns with the categories and activation is remembered. The Discover it Miles provides a straightforward rewards structure, making it easier for those who prefer a no-fuss approach.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it Cash Back if you plan your spending around rotating categories to maximize your cash back. With 5% cash back on quarterly categories like gas and groceries, this card rewards strategic shoppers, especially in the first year, with the cash back match bonus.

You might prefer the Discover it Miles if you value simplicity and consistency in your rewards. Earning a flat rate of 1.5x miles on every purchase means you don't have to keep track of categories or activation dates. Plus, the first-year miles match can significantly boost your travel savings.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will illuminate which card matches your needs. Use this section to weigh the benefits of each card, like the Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories versus the Discover it Miles' consistent rewards rate, to pinpoint the card that best fits your spending habits.

Regular APR: Tie

Both Discover it Cash Back and Discover it Miles cards have the same starting APR of 18.24% and high APR of 28.24%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Discover it Miles and Discover it Cash Back have no annual fee, making them equally attractive for users looking to save on yearly costs.

Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

Both the Discover it Miles and Discover it Cash Back offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, making them equally appealing for those looking to make a large purchase or transfer balances. The balance transfer fee for both cards starts at 3%, with Discover it Cash Back potentially increasing to 5% on future transfers, while Discover it Miles maintains a consistent 3% fee.

Rewards: Discover it Miles

The Discover it Miles card is better for rewards. It offers a straightforward 1.5x miles on every dollar spent on purchases, with no categories to track and a miles-for-miles match at the end of the first year.

In contrast, the Discover it Cash Back card requires tracking rotating categories to maximize rewards. Both cards offer unique end-of-year matches, but the simplicity and flexibility of the Discover it Miles card make it a more appealing option for many users.

Welcome Offers: Discover it Miles

The Discover it Miles card offers a better welcome bonus with an unlimited match to all miles earned in a year, compared to the Discover it Cash Back, which matches cash back at the end of 12 months.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Discover it Miles and Discover it Cash Back cards require a credit score range of 670 to 850 (good to excellent).

Penalties and Fees: Tie

Both Discover it Miles and Discover it Cash Back have identical penalties and fees, including no fee for the first late payment then up to $41, a cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater, and no foreign transaction fees. There is no penalty APR for either card.

Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

Since both cards come from Discover Bank, they have the same issuer satisfaction scores.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both the Discover it Cash Back and Discover it Miles cards offer unique perks such as online personal data exposure minimization, account freeze options and social security number alerts for dark web

Rewards Comparison

The Discover it Miles card edges out with its straightforward rewards program, offering an unlimited 1.5x miles on every purchase, which can be a consistent earner for those who prefer simplicity. Discover it Cash Back offers 5% cash back in rotating categories, up to the quarterly max, after activation.

This can be particularly lucrative for those who align their spending with the bonus categories and are proactive with activation each quarter. However, outside of these categories, the card only offers 1% cash back, making it less rewarding for non-category spending compared to the Discover it Miles card.

For the Discover it Cash Back card, the bonus categories can include gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and more, but they change quarterly and require activation. Check Discover's website for the current categories to maximize your rewards.

Following this section, you'll find a table detailing the bonus categories for both cards. This allows you to compare and decide which card best suits your spending habits.

Category	Discover it Cash Back	Discover it Miles
Dining	5% for the first $1,500 quarterly rotating category/1% thereafter	1.5x miles
Gas Stations	5% for the first $1,500 quarterly rotating category/1% thereafter	1.5x miles
Grocery Stores	5% for the first $1,500 quarterly rotating category/1% thereafter	1.5x miles
All Other Purchases	5% for the first $1,500 quarterly if it is a rotating category/1% otherwise.	1.5x miles

Redeeming Rewards

With the Discover it Cash Back card, you can redeem your cash in various ways, including statement credits and gift cards, with no expiration as long as the account remains active. The Discover it Miles card allows for travel redemption or cash back, with no blackout dates and the same value for miles regardless of how they're used. Both cards ensure that the rewards you earn are ready to use when you need them.

Methodology

MoneyGeek's ranking process evaluates each credit card for various use cases, such as balance transfers and cash back rewards. The primary factors influencing the scores include the quality of the balance transfer offer and the terms of the introductory 0% APR on purchases.

FAQ: Discover it Miles vs. Discover it Cash Back Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the Discover it Miles and Discover it Cash Back cards?

Discover it Miles earns 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, while Discover it Cash Back offers 5% back on rotating categories. Both are great rewards cards

Which card is better for international travel?

Both are among the best cards with no foreign transaction fees. Discover it Miles is more travel-focused than Discover it Cash Back.

How do the introductory offers for the Discover it Miles and Discover it Cash Back cards compare?

Both cards match rewards in the first year, but the Discover it Miles rewards apply to all miles earned.

Are there any annual fees or foreign transaction fees for either card?

Neither of these two Discover cards has annual fees or foreign transaction fees.

Can I earn rewards on every purchase with both Discover cards?

Yes, both cards offer rewards with the Discover it Cash Back card providing higher rates on rotating categories.

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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*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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Discover it® Miles vs. Discover it® Cash Back Card