Does discover student card have foreign transaction fees

Few other providers can make this claim, but there is something of a drawback to using a Discover card abroad. Compared to Visa or Mastercard, Discover isn’t accepted as widely abroad. So while you might be able to use your Visa card in France, you might not have the same luck with your Discover card.

Since none of Discover’s cards have foreign transaction fees, you’re not limited to just travel products. Here are a few factors to consider when picking the right card for your needs.

Decide which type of card you want

You can zero in on the right card by starting with a product category. Here’s a quick breakdown of Discover cards:

Cash back
  • Discover it® Cash Back
  • Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card
  • NHL Discover it® Card
TravelDiscover it® Miles Travel Credit Card
SecuredDiscover it® Secured
StudentDiscover it® Student Cash Back
BusinessDiscover it® Business Card

Almost every Discover card offers cash back. Even the Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card lets you redeem miles for electronic deposits.

Shoot for the best rewards

Look at your spending and decide if it fits one of Discover’s reward structures:

Reward structureCards
Flat cash back on every purchase
  • Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card
  • Discover it® Business Card
Accelerated cash back at gas stations and restaurants with a quarterly cap. Then flat cash back after that and on all other purchases
  • Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card
  • Discover it® Secured
  • Discover it® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Card
Accelerated cash back in quarterly rotating categories on up to a cap. Then flat cash back after that and on all other purchases.
  • Discover it® Cash Back
  • Discover it® Student Cash Back
  • NHL Discover it® Card

If you’re considering a rotating cashback card, look at Discover’s Cashback Calendar to see if you’ll spend in the bonus categories. These might include grocery stores, gas stations, Uber and Lyft, restaurants and Amazon.com.

Consider the intro APRs

A few of Discover’s flagship cards offer intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months.

The Discover it® Secured and Discover it® Student Cash Back offer intro purchase APRs up to 6 months. That might not sound enticing, but it’s actually a great deal for these types of cards.

Factor in signup bonus, annual fee and more

All of Discover’s cards have essentially the same signup bonus: The provider matches all the rewards you earn in your first year.

None of the cards have annual fees. And while you won’t find purchase protections or travel insurance like you will with other providers, you’ll get a suite of cardholder-friendly secondary benefits. These include:

  • Free monthly FICO score
  • No overlimit fees
  • No penalty APRs
  • Free overnight shipping on card replacements
  • Free Social Security number alerts
  • Cash at checkout
  • Freeze your card account on mobile app or website

While Discover certainly offers plenty of choices for a no foreign transaction fee card, the provider faces stiff competition from other providers on the market who possess stronger cards or a larger variety.

Since the average credit card foreign transaction fee is 3%, a quick calculation can show us how much extra we’d spend when using a standard card abroad. Here’s a quick example using a Discover card and a Citi card with foreign transaction fees.

Many of Discover’s cards are similar with no foreign transaction fees and rewards. But compare your spending to what they offer to find the best one for you.

An ideal choice for students who want to build their credit history and learn more about maximizing rewards without stressing over annual fees.

Snapshot

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Bankrate rating

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Bottom line

On top of perks like a cash match program in the first year, this card offers generous cash back deals, a rarity for starter cards made for students. However, it may not be the ideal card for every student, particularly students who want to use this card during their study abroad trips. Other starter cards have better track records getting accepted for international use, but this one is still worthy of consideration for students new to credit and looking to build their history.

Best for gas, dining & large purchases

Intro offer

Cashback Match™

Regular APR

15.99% - 24.99% Variable

Recommended Credit Score

No Credit History 

Discover it Student chrome Overview

Rewards are hard to find when shopping for a starter card. But the Discover it Student chrome has quite a generous rewards structure, making it an interesting option among starter credit cards for students.

Also attractive are the benefits, value and security features of this card, which have been customized for college students’ needs. Along with the card’s limited fees and popular student spending categories like gas and takeout, students will benefit from Discover’s Cashback Match program, a unique welcome bonus that sees Discover matching all of the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. The primary drawback for this card comes about for students hoping to study abroad, as Discover is not the most widely accepted credit card network internationally.

What are the pros and cons?

Pros

  • No annual fee, foreign transaction fees or penalty APR
  • Excellent cash back reward program for a student card
  • Unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of cash back earned in the first year
  • First late fee waived, after that, up to $41

Cons

  • Lower international acceptance history, limiting its use abroad
  • A few other student cards have higher rewards, such as the Discover it® Student Cash Back card

A deeper look at the current card offer

Quick highlights

  • Rewards rate: 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter; 1 percent cash back on all other purchases
  • Welcome offer: Match all cash back earned at the end of your first year
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Purchase intro APR: 0 percent for six months
  • Balance transfer intro APR: 10.99 percent for six months
  • Regular APR: 15.99 percent to 24.99 percent variable

Current sign-up bonus

A popular mainstay on Discover’s cards for good credit, the unlimited Cash Back Match intro offer is one of the most attractive features of the Student chrome card. Discover will match all cash back you earn during the first year. There are no minimum spending requirements or cap on how much the card will match. Since bonuses on other student cards are typically minimal, if at all available, this is a particularly generous offer.

Plus, having the first six months’ intro offer for purchases interest-free (ongoing 15.99 percent to 24.99 percent variable APR thereafter) to finance any necessities at college might make this card attractive enough all on its own. Parents will appreciate students having a bit of breathing room while getting settled and learning the credit card ropes. Just pay the balance in full after the first six months, or interest can quickly negate all the cash back benefits you’ll earn.

Rewards Rate

Earning cash back is easy with the Discover it Student chrome, as it provides rewards for common student spending categories.

How you earn

Students can earn 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined quarterly purchases) and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. The restaurant category includes cafes, takeout, delivery and fast food, all of which are often staples for students on a budget.

Outside any rewards, the only other way to earn cash back is through Discover’s referral bonuses. Eligible cardmembers will receive a $50 to $100 “Refer-a-Friend” statement credits (annual maximum listed in your card terms) if their friend applies via your specific offer link by the end of the year. Even better, referred friends will also receive a bonus statement credit after making a purchase within their first three months.

How to redeem

Your cash rewards will never expire while your account is open and in good standing. You can redeem for cash back at any time, use them instantly at Amazon.com or by making purchases with PayPal.

The full list of redemption options includes:

  • Electronic deposit into any eligible account you designate
  • Statement credit to your account
  • Physical or digital gift cards to partner merchants
  • Pay with cash back at select merchants
  • Charitable donation to select charities

How much are the rewards worth?

The value of your rewards depends on where you’re spending your money. With 2 percent cash back on gas stations and restaurants, you’ll earn $2 for every $100 you spend in these categories. For spending the same amount on all other purchases, you’ll earn $1 back. Each dollar spent is equivalent to 1 to 2 cents in rewards, but with the Cashback Match offer in the first year, these rewards are worth double. Overall, the rewards from this card are generous for a student just starting out in the credit world.

Other cardholder perks

For students new to their starter card, credit education resources and account protection benefits can be invaluable.

Account protection

With the Discover it Student chromethe account essentially has an on/off switch available through the mobile app or website called “Freeze it,” which will prevent any cash advances, purchases and balance transfers with your card.

Free credit score access and protection

Easily view your FICO credit score on monthly statements or on demand. When you activate free alerts, Discover will notify you if:

  • Your Social Security number is found on one of thousands of dark web sites.
  • Any new credit card, mortgage, car loan or other account shows up on your credit report.
  • Anyone pulls your credit, so you can recognize possible fraud.

Rates and fees

This card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.

Discover also forgives your first late fee if you fall behind on one payment (None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41). Paying late won’t raise your APR, and you won’t incur a fee if you happen to exceed your limit. After excusing that first late payment, the fee going forward is up to $41. If you’re just getting the hang of credit card payments, these perks provide a valuable safety net the first time you slip.

Cash advance fees are either $10 or 5 percent of the amount, whichever is greater.

Finally, balance transfers have a fee of 3 percent intro balance transfer fee, up to 5 percent fee on future balance transfers (see terms*), with a 10.99 percent intro APR balance transfer offer for the first six months. After that, the variable APR of  15.99 percent to 24.99 percent applies.

How the Discover it Student chrome compares to other student cards

When looking for the best student credit card, it’s important to weigh your options.

The Discover it Student chrome card will be a solid candidate for many students looking to establish credit and manage their own finances. Earning and redeeming rewards is easy with this card and can help stretch a student’s budget.

Does discover student card have foreign transaction fees

Discover it® Student chrome

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4.0

Apply now

on Discover's secure site

Intro offer

Cashback Match™

Recommended credit

No Credit History

Does discover student card have foreign transaction fees

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Intro offer

Cashback Match™

Recommended credit

No Credit History

Does discover student card have foreign transaction fees

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Recommended credit

Fair to Good(580 - 740)

Discover It Student chrome vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back

If you already have some credit experience, you want to practice earning rewards and you don’t mind tracking the revolving door of categories, you may benefit more from the Discover it® Student Cash Back.

Both cards have a few of the same standout features, including Discover’s Cashback Match, no annual fee and a reasonable ongoing APR. The primary distinction between the two is the highest reward tier. With the Discover It Student Cash Back, you have access to one of the highest cash back rates offered among student credit cards.

Your tradeoff is that you’re limited to whatever Discover’s bonus category is for a given quarter and you must enroll each quarter to earn the maximum reward rate. Monitoring rotating categories and enrollment dates could prove to be tedious when paired with keeping up with a busy student schedule, and could be even less worth it if your spending habits don’t sync with a quarter’s bonus category. Depending on what you’re after, something a bit more hands-free or a bit more lucrative, will help determine which of these two student cards is for you.

Discover It Student chrome vs. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Alternatively, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One has a flat rate of cash back on all purchases, so you don’t have to keep track of bonus categories at all. You’d still reap the benefit of no annual fee or foreign transaction fees with the Journey, but the ongoing APR is steep when compared to the Discover It Student chrome and carrying a balance may be a bit pricier as a result.

The welcome offers are also quite different across these two cards and could be a major determinant for which you choose. The Journey does not have a welcome offer but does offer unlimited 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms apply. 

With the Discover it Student chrome you’ll receive the Cashback Match program, which lets you use your dollar-for-dollar match at the end of the first year on any of Discover’s redemption options. The Journey Student may be the lowest maintenance, but the Discover It Student chrome still offers a bit more on the reward front.

Best cards to pair with the Discover it Student chrome

Where this card falls a bit short is for students planning to study or vacation abroad. Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted outside the U.S. as some other cards are. If that’s the case, other student credit cards might be better suited for your lifestyle.

Consider pairing your Discover card with a Visa or Mastercard that has a wider acceptance history outside of the U.S., but still skips foreign transaction fees for a more cost effective study abroad experience. One such card is the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which also has a decent flat rewards rate on all purchases and can cover any spending categories that the Discover It Student chrome misses.

Bankrate’s Take — Is the Discover it Student chrome worth it?

The answer is yes, if you are a student looking to establish your credit history and take advantage of cash back rewards that are quite uncommon for student credit cards. Plus, the intro purchase APR period, low rates and few fees provide excellent incentives for students.

However, it’s worth noting that if you have a study abroad trip coming up, you should see if Discover is accepted in the areas you’ll visit. Although there are no foreign transaction fees, Discover has a marginally lower international acceptance rate than larger card networks like Visa and Mastercard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Discover IT student card internationally?

The Discover it® Student Cash Back has no annual fee and doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so if you're making international purchases or traveling abroad it's a good pick.

Does discover it student chrome have foreign transaction fees?

The Discover it® Student chrome has a $0 annual fee, and it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees (although Discover's acceptance abroad is limited).