Discover it® Student Chrome Review: A Banger Starter Card

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.

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 Top Cash Back Credit Cards

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.

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.

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 Savor 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.

To help you assess if the Discover it® Student Chrome is right for you, we compare it with similar cash back cards.

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.

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.