What Credit Score Is Needed for a Discover Card?

A great credit card can elevate your shopping experience. It can help you build or gradually improve your credit score while earning rewards along the way. But what credit score do you need for a Discover card? And what is the lowest credit score to get a Discover card?

In this article, you’ll explore the requirements of the credit score for Discover card, the most popular options, and how to boost your chances of approval.

What are Credit Scores?

Think of your credit score as a financial report card that lenders check to gauge your trustworthiness with money. A high score signals to lenders that you’re reliable with payments, likely qualifying you for better terms like lower interest rates when you borrow money. A low score, on the other hand, might indicate to lenders that you’ve had some trouble with debt in the past, making them more cautious about offering you favorable terms. In essence, your credit score is the cornerstone of your financial reputation.

Factors Influencing Your Credit Score:

• Bill payment history;
• Current debt levels;
• Number of open loans;
• Types of open loans;
• Age of credit accounts;
• Credit utilization ratio;
• History of bankruptcies or debt collections.

The three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—calculate your score based on these factors. Since each bureau uses slightly different methods, your score can vary. Having a strong credit score is essential when applying for a Discover credit card, as it plays a pivotal role in their decision-making process.

Discover it Card: What You Need for an Application

Before diving into the credit score needed for a Discover card, let’s explore Discover’s most popular cards and their features.

Discover it® Cash Back

• Annual fee: $0;
• Rewards: 5% cashback on everyday purchases, plus 100% cashback for the first year;
• APR: 0% for the first 15 months, 18.74–27.74% thereafter;
• Foreign transaction fees: None;
• Transfer fees: 3–5%;
• Rating requirement: Good to excellent.

This card is available to employed citizens with a credit score of 670+.

Discover it® Secured Card

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 1–2% cashback on everyday purchases, plus 100% cashback for the first year;
• APR: 27.74% on credit purchases;
• Foreign transaction fees: None;
• Transfer fees: 3–5%;
• Rating requirement: New or rebuilding credit (no minimum score required);
• Deposit requirement: Minimum of $200.

This card is available for people with no credit history or those looking to improve it.

Discover it® Miles

• Annual fee: $0;
• Rewards: Unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent, plus 100% cashback for the first year;
• APR: 0% for the first 15 months;18.74–27.74% thereafter;
• Foreign transaction fees: None;
• Transfer fees: 3–5%;
• Rating requirement: Good to excellent.

This card is available only to citizens with a credit history score of over 670.

Discover it® Student Cash Back

• Monthly payments: $0;
• Rewards: 5% cashback on everyday purchases, plus 100% cashback for the first year;
• APR: 0% for the first 6 months; 17.74–26.74% thereafter;
• Foreign transaction fees: None;
• Transfer fees: 3–5%;
• Rating requirement: New to fair credit.

To get this card, a person must confirm that they are 18 years old and currently enrolled in college.

Discover it® Student Chrome

• Annual fee: $0%;
• Rewards: 1–2% cashback on everyday purchases, plus 100% cashback for the first year;
• APR: 0% for the first 6 months; 17.74–26.74% thereafter;
• Foreign transaction fees: None;
• Transfer fees: 3–5%;
• Rating requirement: New to fair credit.

To order this card, a person must confirm that they are 18 years old and currently enrolled in college.

As you may have noticed, obtaining a card requires a good Discover credit card credit score, typically ranging from 670 to 850.

How to Ensure Application Success

To boost your chances and guarantee approval from the issuer when determining your Discover credit score and credit limit, you need a good rating and adherence to FICO score requirements. Here are a few tips to help further increase your chances of success:

• Before applying, make sure to check your score, especially if you’ve recently used credit, taken out loans.
• Check the statuses of accounts opened in your name to ensure you have no outstanding debts.

• Work on improving your credit rating, for example:

  • Pay off debts on time to build a solid payment history.
  • Take moderate loans and avoid maxing out your credit limit.
  • Maintain a financial cushion to demonstrate stability.

By following these steps, you can objectively assess your readiness and improve your Discover card credit score.

Final Thoughts

Today, credit and debit cards offer continuous access to finances and help build a strong credit profile for banking institutions. While it may not seem promising at first, in the future, a solid credit history will allow you to unlock various programs and payment tools with significant and valuable financial opportunities, such as access to Discover it® card and its derivatives.

The rewards of having a good Discover it credit card credit score outweigh the challenges of achieving one. Here are some standout benefits of Discover it® cards:

• 100% cashback for the first year;
• 0% APR for the first 6–15 months;
• Flexible APR of 18.74–27.74% on credit purchases;
• No annual fees;
• 1–5% cash back on everyday purchases;
• 100% cash back for the first year of use;
• No foreign transaction fees;
• 3–5% fees for cash advances;
• Discover it credit score requirements: new/fair/good/excellent.

Achieving a good credit score isn’t just about the number—it’s about opening the door to better financial opportunities. So, stay disciplined, follow good financial habits, and enjoy the rewards that come with a Discover it® card.