ReviewsNHL® Discover it® Card Review: Cash Back Rewards for Loyal Hockey Fans
Card ReviewNHL® Discover it®
The Discover NHL® Card is an excellent cash-back credit card for the most loyal hockey fans. You’ll earn great rewards on everyday spending categories that rotate each quarter, an introductory 0% APR promotion on purchases and balance transfers, and discounts on select NHL merchandise and subscriptions. The card requires a little work to maximize its benefits, however. Read our full review to see if it’s the right card for you.
NHL® Discover it® Quick Review
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 0% for 14 months, then 13.99% to 24.99%
Sign-Up Bonus: Cash back match during your first year
Benefits:
- Get a 10% discount at NHL.com and an NHL.TV subscription when you use your card
- Support your favorite team with its logo on your card
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in combined purchases in categories that rotate every three months when you activate
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Identity theft monitoring alerts
- Free access to your FICO credit score
- No penalty APR
- Zero-liability fraud protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- 24/7 customer service
Minimum Payment: The greater of $35, 2% of the full balance, or $20 plus interest and fees.
Other Fees:
- 5% cash advance fee ($10 minimum)
- 3% balance transfer fee
- Up to $37 for late payments; the first fee is waived
- Up to $37 for returned payments
Why Apply for the NHL® Discover it®
Even if you’re a casual hockey fan, having the Discover NHL® Card in your wallet has its perks:
Get special NHL perks
Not only will you support your favorite hockey team with the card design, but you’ll also save 10% when you use the card on NHL.com or an NHL.TV subscription.
High bonus rewards rate
You’ll learn 5% on up to $1,500 spent in bonus categories that change every three months. In 2019, those categories include grocery stores, gas stations, ridesharing services, restaurants, and Amazon.com. What’s more, Discover will double all the cash back you earn during your first year, allowing you to earn 10% back on those categories.
A 0% APR promotion
The card offers an introductory APR of 0% for 14 months, then 13.99% to 24.99% on both purchases and balance transfers. If you need to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance from another credit card, you’ll get more than a year to pay it off, interest-free.
NHL® Discover it®: Drawbacks and Downsides
The Discover NHL® Card is a solid cash-back credit card, but it’s not the best for everyone. Here are some pitfalls to consider before you apply:
It has a mediocre base rewards rate
You’ll get 5% cash back on bonus spending categories, but all of your other purchases will earn just 1% back. Many cards offers 1.5% or 2% cash back on all purchases. The Discover NHL® Card lags in comparison outside its bonus categories.
Discover isn’t widely accepted overseas
Discover is accepted virtually everywhere in the U.S., but you’ll have troubles using it abroad. As long as you have a Visa or Mastercard as a backup, though, you should be fine.
It has a balance transfer fee
If you’re planning to transfer a balance from a different credit card, you’ll pay a 3% fee on the full transfer amount. Some other balance transfer credit cards won’t charge you any fee for a transfer. That can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.
NHL® Discover it® Alternatives
If you like the benefits the Discover NHL® Card offers, but want to compare with other cards, here are CardCruncher’s top recommendations:
Citi® Double Cash Card
The Citi® Double Cash Card makes it easy to rack up rewards without having to activate or keep track of bonus categories. The card offers 2% cash back on every purchase—1% back when you make a purchase, and another 1% when you pay it off. The card also offers an introductory APR of 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) on balance transfers. There’s no 0% promotional APR on new purchases, however.
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express
If your top priority is to transfer and pay off a high-interest credit card balance, the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express offers a unique trifecta. There’s no balance transfer fee for the first 60 days; you’ll have an introductory 0% APR for 15 months, then 14.99% to 25.99% on purchases and balance transfers; and the card offers rewards and a sign-up bonus.
Chase Freedom®
If you like the Discover NHL® Card’s rewards structure, but don’t want to wait a year to for a sign-up bonus, consider the Chase Freedom®. The card offers a $150 bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months. You’ll also earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter when you activate. Non-bonus spending nets 1% back, and you’ll get an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
NHL® Discover it® Credit Card FAQs
How do I activate my 5% bonus categories each quarter?
You’ll typically get an email from Discover a month or so before the bonus categories change. Click the button to activate, and that’s it. If you don’t get the email, you can also log into your online account and activate from there.
Can I stack discounts at NHL.com or with my NHL.TV subscription?
Unfortunately, you can’t combine the discount with other discounts or promotions. If have to choose, go with the option that provides the best savings.
Bottom Line: Should You Apply for the NHL® Discover it®?
The Discover NHL® Card is a solid choice for hockey and cash-back fans alike. But it’s not necessarily the best choice if you only plan to use one credit card. Instead, consider using it alongside another credit card that offers 1.5% or 2% cash back on every purchase. That way, you can take advantage of the Discover NHL® Card’s bonus categories while earning more than 1% on non-bonus spending.
