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Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Discover it® Miles Credit Card: 2024 Review

Discover it® Miles Credit Card: 2025 Review

If you’re an occasional traveler who likes a simple to remember rewards system, then the Discover it® Miles could be a good choice for you.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Discover it® Miles

Discover It miles card review

Rewards Plan

1.5X unlimited 1.5x miles for every dollar spent on all purchases

Sign up Bonus

Discover Match® Discover matches your first year miles automatically.

Credit Rating

3.6
3.6/5

0% Intro

15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.74% – 27.74% Variable APR

Discover it® Miles

Discover It miles card review

Rewards Plan

1.5X unlimited 1.5x miles for every dollar spent on all purchases

Sign up Bonus

Discover Match® Discover matches your first year miles automatically.

Our Rating

3.6
3.6/5

PROS

CONS

APR

18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR

Annual Fee

$0

0% Intro

15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Credit Requirements

Good - Excellent

The Discover it® Miles credit card is a solid entry level option for the occasional traveler who is looking to earn rewards towards flights, hotels, and car rentals. It has a flat rate of rewards and a very simple redemption process. It is, however, best for cardholders with a credit score of more than 670.

While the card lacks lavish travel perks and the ability to transfer miles to airline programs, its streamlined structure and unlimited 1.5x miles for every dollar spent on all purchases make it a solid choice for those prioritizing simplicity.

The welcome offer is unconventional, as Discover matches all earned miles at the end of the first year, and the card's rates and fees are attractive, featuring a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, with no foreign transaction fees.

However, the Discover it® Miles card may not be ideal for frequent travelers seeking premium perks, as it lacks luxury travel benefits. Additionally, users who prioritize transferring miles to airline programs for enhanced value should consider other options.

How Much Are 10,000 Miles/Points Worth?

One of the attractive things about Discover miles is that there is a stable redemption rate. Regardless of how you use your miles, you can expect a value of $0.01 per mile. So, if you have accumulated 10,000 miles, they will be worth $100.

How Does The Card Integrate With Discover Accounts?

Discover has an impressive website platform and app which allow you to manage all your accounts in one location. So, the card does integrate well if you have other Discover products and accounts.

When Should You Consider It?

If you want a rewards card with a straightforward reward structure, the Discover It Miles card is likely to appeal. It is also a good option if you are planning on making larger purchases during the first year, as Discover will match all your rewards mile for mile on your one year anniversary.

In This Review..

Pros & Cons

Discover It Miles Card offers some great benefits for travelers, but there are also drawbacks to consider:

Pros
Cons
Sign Up Bonus
Not the Highest Rewards Rate
Miles Rewards
Limited Travel Perks
No Foreign Transaction Fee
No Airline Program Transfers
0% Intro APR
International Acceptance

If you spend $20,000 over your first 12 months, for example, you’ll accrue 30,000 miles on your card and Discover will match that giving you a total of 60,000 miles earned in your first year. 

The Discover it® Miles card earns you a flat rate of miles per dollar on every purchase in any category. This makes it simple to remember if you’re tired of the credit cards that have rotating categories that are hard to keep track of. 

Having zero transaction fees on foreign purchases makes sense considering it’s a travel credit card. 

But not every credit card offers no foreign transaction fees, so this is a nice perk with Discover. You can swipe away and enjoy the trip overseas without accruing lots of fees.

There is a 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and it can be advantageous for cost-conscious users.

While earning miles per dollar spent with no annual fee may seem like a good deal, it’s still a low rewards rate compared to other travel credit cards on the market.

There are options out there that offer 2 points per dollar spent as well as easy to hit sign up bonuses that can be quite lucrative. 

The card lacks premium travel perks, potentially disappointing frequent travelers.

Inability to transfer miles to airline frequent-flier programs restricts travel redemption options.

Discover's network has fewer international partners compared to Visa and Mastercard, affecting acceptance abroad.

Calculate Miles: How Much You Can Earn?

If you're a frequent traveler, the Discover it® Miles card can help you rack up miles rewards, along with other valuable benefits. But how much can you really earn?

To get a clear picture, you'll need to calculate your miles based on the card's terms and your spending across different categories. Since everyone has different spending habits, it's important to tailor the breakdown to your specific needs.

Discover It miles card review

Spend Per Category
Discover it® Miles
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
22,500 miles
$3,000 – Restaurants
4,500 miles
$1,500 – Airline
2,250 miles
$1,500 – Hotels
2,250 miles
$4,000 – Gas
6,000 miles
Annual Points
37,500 miles
Estimated Points Redemption Value
1 mile ~ 1 cent
Estimated Annual Value
$375

How to Redeem Your Miles Rewards?

With the Discover it Miles, cardholders earn unlimited 1.5x miles for every dollar spent on all purchases.

Discover allows you to:

  • Get a statement credit to pay for your travel purchases
  • Use your miles to shop with PayPal and Amazon.com
  • Fund your travel plans: There are no blackout dates and eligible purchases include hotels, restaurants, and airfare.
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amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
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amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
Up to 3x miles 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases immediately after earning your $125 annual United purchase credit, 2 miles on all other travel and select streaming services, 1 mile on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles Earn 70,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP)
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Best Ways to Maximize Miles Rewards

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your Discover it® Miles Card:

  1. Make Big Purchases in Your First Year: If you’re planning a large purchase, take advantage of the 0% APR introductory period. Plus, Discover will match all the miles you earn in your first year, doubling your rewards!
  2. Pair with Other Cards: Since this card offers a flat 1.5x miles on all purchases, consider pairing it with other cards that offer higher rewards in specific categories. This way, you can maximize your earnings in areas like dining or travel.

How To Apply For Discover It Miles Credit Card?

Visit the Discover It Miles Credit Card home page, and then click on “Apply Now.”

APR

Annual Fee

Balance Transfer Fee

Credit Requirements

It takes you to the next page where you can choose your card design.

Select one and fill in your personal details like your Names, address, email, birth date, income, employment status, etc, then click “Next.”

Read the terms and conditions, check the two boxes to agree to the terms, and then click on “Submit.”

How It Compared To Other Discover Credit Cards?

The Discover it® Miles credit card stands out within Discover's portfolio as its sole travel card, offering distinctive features compared to other Discover credit cards. In contrast to its cashback-focused siblings like the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Chrome, the Discover it® Miles caters specifically to travel enthusiasts.

While the Discover it® Miles lacks the rotating bonus categories featured in the Discover it® Cash Back, it compensates with a straightforward rewards structure and a welcome offer match at the end of the first year.

However, for users prioritizing cash back and willing to navigate bonus categories, the Discover it® Cash Back may offer more tailored rewards. Additionally, the Discover it® Chrome may appeal to those who frequently spend on gas and dining.

Is the Discover it® Miles Card Right for You?

If you’re an occasional traveler who likes a simple to remember rewards system.

It has a flat rate of rewards and a very simple redemption process. It is, however, best for cardholders with a credit score of more than 700, and it is the best option for people who travel a lot.

If you frequently travel abroad, the card does not charge any foreign transaction fees, but it is important to note that it is not acceptable in all countries.

Overall, work out the math to compare what you think you’ll spend and decide which credit card offers the best reward system that fits your needs.

Compare The Alternatives

There are other credit cards that do offer comparable cash back rewards – we’ve summarized the most popular cards which can use as an alternative to the BoFa Travel Rewards:

Bank of America® travel rewards

capital-one-venture

chase_sapphire_preffered

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$95
Rewards
1.5X 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points
2X – 5X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X – 5X 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
75,000 miles
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
$0
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.
19.99% – 29.74% (Variable)
20.99% – 27.99% variable APR

FAQ

Unfortunately, although this card does allow you to accumulate miles for your travel plans, there are limited travel perks associated with this card. This includes a lack of car rental insurance.

Even if you reserve and pay for your rental vehicle with your Discover It Miles card, you’ll not receive any supplemental coverage.

There are several redemption options for your Discover It Miles. You can use your miles for PayPal or Amazon shopping, get statement credit or exchange for flights, hotels and restaurants.

Discover It Miles can be used to reimburse you for travel purchases such as airfare. You can apply to have the cost of your travel purchases redeemed as statement credit without any blackout dates.

 

No, you can continue to accumulate your miles and use them as and when you prefer without needing to worry about any expiration dates. Providing your account is in good standing and remains open, you should not have any issues with your miles remaining valid.

As with most Discover cards, you will need good to excellent credit to qualify for the Discover It Miles. This is typically because the cards offer decent rewards, particularly with the reward match at the end of the first year.

This means Discover needs to ensure that you are financially responsible and do not represent a significant risk.

Compare Discover It Miles

If you're looking for a basic travel card, the Discover it Miles is better, in our opinion. Here are our thoughts – and a full comparison.

Discover It Miles vs BoFa Travel Rewards: Which Card Wins?

The Discover it Miles and Chrome Gas & Restaurant offer a different rewards structure and basic benefits.

Discover it Miles vs. Chrome Gas & Restaurant: How They Compare

The Capital One Venture is a clear winner as it offers a better miles rewards ratio and extra travel benefits. But it charges an annual fee.

Discover it Miles vs. Capital One Venture Card: How They Compare?

Review Travel Credit Cards

Review Travel Credit Cards

Picture of Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
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Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.