Discover it Cash Back

Year one is the whole pitch: every dollar of cash back, doubled. Cashback Match turns the 5% rotating categories into an effective 10% in your first year, unlimited, which can beat any flat $200 bonus on the market. Underwriting is also friendlier to thinner credit files than Chase or Amex. There is no annual fee, a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and a regular APR of 17.49% to 26.49% variable. Earning: 5% on rotating quarterly categories on up to $1,500 per quarter with activation required (Q3 2026: gas, EV charging, public transit, flights, drugstores), 1% elsewhere. There is no traditional welcome bonus; instead, all cash back earned in year one is matched. No foreign transaction fee, and a free FICO score is included. The catch: Discover acceptance has gaps abroad, quarterly activation is a chore, and the 5% caps at $1,500 per quarter.