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Can You Get Cash Back with a Discover Credit Card?
May 14, 2025
Quick Answer
Unlike a debit card transaction, you cannot get cash back at the register when making a purchase with a Discover credit card.
Should You Get Cash Back At Discover With A Credit Card?
Weighing the pros and cons can help you decide if it's the right choice.
Benefits
Convenience: It saves a trip to the bank or an ATM by letting you get cash during checkout.
Emergency Funds: It offers a quick way to get cash if you don't have your debit card or can't find an ATM.
Costs
Cash Advance Fees: Issuers usually treat this as a cash advance, which comes with an upfront fee.
Higher APR: The interest rate for cash advances is typically much higher than your card's purchase APR.
No Grace Period: Interest begins to accrue immediately on cash advances, unlike on purchases.
Ineligible for Rewards: You generally won't earn any points, miles, or cash back on the transaction.
How to Get Cash Back At Discover With A Credit Card
Earning cash back with your Discover card is a smart way to make your money work for you. Here’s a general guide to maximizing your rewards on every purchase.
- Choose the Right Card: Select a Discover card that aligns with your spending habits. Some offer rotating categories, while others provide a flat rate on all purchases. You can use resources like the Kudos' Explore Cards tool to compare different credit card options.
- Activate Bonus Categories: Discover it cards feature rotating categories that earn 5% cash back each quarter. You must log into your account online or through the app to activate these bonus categories before you can start earning the higher rate.
- Align Spending with Categories: After activating, strategically use your Discover card for purchases that fall within the current bonus categories. This might include gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, or online retailers like Amazon.com.
- Redeem Your Rewards: Your cash back rewards are flexible and don't expire. You can redeem your balance at any time for a statement credit, a direct deposit into your bank account, or gift cards.
Impact On Your Credit Score
Using the Get Cash Back feature with your Discover card can affect your credit score in a few ways. Here are some key factors to keep in mind before you use it at checkout.
- Credit Utilization Ratio. This transaction is treated as a cash advance, increasing your total balance. A higher balance can raise your credit utilization ratio, which may negatively affect your credit score.
- No Hard Inquiry. Requesting cash back at checkout does not result in a hard inquiry on your credit report. Therefore, this action alone won't directly lower your score like applying for new credit would.
- Payment History. The cash back amount is added to your statement balance, which you must pay back. Consistently making on-time payments is crucial for maintaining a positive credit history and good score.
Alternative Ways To Get Cash Back At Discover
Using a Discover Debit Card
For those with a Discover checking account, the associated debit card offers a direct way to get cash. When making a purchase at many retailers, such as grocery stores or pharmacies, you can select the cash back option at the point of sale. This amount is then withdrawn directly from your checking account along with your purchase total, effectively avoiding ATM fees.
Discover Deals Online Portal
Cardmembers can also maximize their rewards through the Discover Deals online portal. While not a method for getting physical cash at checkout, it's an alternative way to boost your cash back balance. By starting your online shopping through the portal, you can earn extra rewards at hundreds of partner stores on top of your standard cash back rate.
Choose the Right Card to Get Cash Back At Discover
Maximizing your cash back with Discover starts with having the right card in your wallet. With nearly 3,000 cards on the market, finding the perfect match can feel overwhelming. Kudos’ AI-powered Explore Cards tool simplifies the process, offering personalized recommendations and side-by-side comparisons to help you find the ideal card that fits your spending habits and maximizes your rewards.
If you want to get the most out of your credit cards, Kudos is the premier free shopping assistant for your online purchases. We're also giving you $20 back after your first qualifying purchase—just sign-up for free with code “GET20” and shop at a Boost merchant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the limits for cash back at checkout?
Cash back limits are set by individual merchants, typically ranging from $20 to $120 per transaction.
Are there fees for getting cash back with a Discover card?
Discover does not charge a fee for this service, but some individual stores might impose their own fees.
Does getting cash back at the register count as a cash advance?
No, cash back at checkout is treated as a purchase, not a cash advance, avoiding cash advance fees.
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