Discover it^® Balance Transfer Review 2024: A Generous Extended Intro Offer

Discover it^® Balance Transfer card offers an introductory APR on balance transfers, which can help you handle credit card debt by getting some breathing room to pay your transferred balance over time.

When you place a balance transfer request, expect to pay a balance transfer fee of 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*. This is very much in line with introductory balance transfer fees that other credit card companies typically charge.

Let’s take a closer look at the Discover it^® Balance Transfer to help you determine whether it’s right for you.

The Discover Balance Transfer card is no longer available and the offer details may be outdated.

Key takeaways

• The Discover it^® Balance Transfer can help you lower your interest rate charges on existing debt when you take advantage of its intro APR offer on balance transfers.
• This card has a balance transfer fee of 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.
• You can also benefit from an intro APR on new purchases.
• On top of this, you can earn 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories (up to quarterly maximum, once activated) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Who should get the Discover it^® Balance Transfer?

The Discover it^® Balance Transfer is geared toward individuals with existing credit card debt. Balance transfer cards are designed to help consumers pay off debt by transferring their balances over to a new credit card, helping them potentially save money on interest charges over the long term.

The Discover it^® Balance Transfer could be a good option if you’re looking for a balance transfer card because it offers one of the longest intro APR offers you’ll find. That means you can move over existing credit card debt and pay it off over time without having to worry about high interest charges.

You can also use this credit card to earn 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories (up to quarterly maximum, once activated) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You can combine this with the card’s intro APR on purchases to extend your benefits.

The Discover it^® Balance Transfer has a $0 annual fee and gives you complimentary access to your credit score. This makes it one of the best cash back credit cards that offer changing categories.

Card basics

We we like the Discover it^® Balance Transfer: benefits and perks

• Generous intro purchase and balance transfer APR offer: New cardholders can transfer over existing card balances and receive an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
• High cashback rate: You can earn 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories (up to quarterly maximum, once activated) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Discover Cashback Match™: You can get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of any cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
• Free credit score: The Discover it^® Balance Transfer comes with free access to your FICO credit score online, through the mobile app, and on monthly statements.
• No foreign transaction fees: The card carries no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the U.S., which could make it a good card to use when traveling internationally.
• $0 annual fee: Discover it^® Balance Transfer has a $0 annual fee, so you don't need to worry about costs that cut into the card’s value.

What we don't like about the Discover it^® Balance Transfer: drawbacks

• Less acceptance: Discover has become more accepted by merchants but still has a ways to go to reach the widespread acceptance found with Visa, Mastercard, and even American Express — especially outside of the U.S.
• Rotating spending categories: This card’s bonus categories change quarterly. If you don’t want to activate bonus categories every few months, a card that offers flat-rate cash back could be a better option.

Earning and redeeming cash back with Discover

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your cash back can add up with the Discover it^® Balance Transfer.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $750

Year two earnings: $375

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which looks at points earned via spending and the annual fee.

Best ways to earn

The Discover it^® Balance Transfer earns 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to quarterly maximum) when you activate.

You can earn the most cash back by tracking bonus categories each quarter and using your card to maximize earnings in those categories. You’ll need to activate the bonus categories each quarter to be eligible to earn the elevated rate.

Bonus categories can change from year to year. Discover does a good job of including bonus categories that make sense for most consumers.

Here’s a look at the card’s 2024 cashback calendar:

Here’s a look at past categories from 2023:

The card earns 1% cash back on all other purchases. Keep in mind, though, that you can get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of any cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.

Maximizing your redemptions

Some cashback cards offer rewards only via statement credits, but the Discover it Balance Transfer card offers several redemption options. You can redeem your cashback rewards for:

• Statement credits
• Electronic deposits to your bank account
• Pay for purchases at select merchants
• Gift cards

Cardholders can also donate their cashback rewards to charity through Discover. Most redemptions start at just 1 cent, so there are no minimums you need to earn before cashing in on your rewards. There’s also no expiration date on rewards as long as your account is open and in good standing, so you can build up your rewards as long as you like, too.

Discover it^® Balance Transfer FAQ

Other cards to consider

The Discover it^® Balance Transfer is a solid option if you are interested in a card with lengthy intro APR periods. But if it doesn’t sound quite right, the Citi Double Cash^® Card and the Citi Simplicity^® Card may also be worth considering.

The Citi Double Cash^® Card offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)). It’s also a top cash back credit card. Instead of rotating spending categories, cardholders can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. If you hate the thought of having to track your spending to maximize rewards, Citi Double Cash might be a better choice with its simple rewards structure.

With the Citi Simplicity^® Card, you get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (then 18.74% - 29.49% (Variable)). That gives you plenty of time to pay off your debt without worrying about interest charges.

Discover it^® Balance Transfer: bottom line

The Discover it^® Balance Transfer can be a great credit card for balance transfers while benefiting at the same time from its high cashback rate on rotating categories and intro APR offer on purchases.

These benefits make the Discover it^® Balance Transfer a versatile credit card that can fit people with various needs. The $0 annual fee further adds to its value and ease of using it for years to come.