3 Places That Don't Take Discover Card
KEY POINTS
- 99% of U.S. businesses accept Discover, although a small gap still remains.
- You could have trouble if you count on using your Discover card internationally.
- The number of businesses that accept Discover is growing, but it still pays to ask before pulling out your card.
Discover® cards were introduced to Americans 39 years ago, but there are places that still won't accept them as payment. According to Discover, 99% of U.S. businesses that take credit cards do accept Discover cards, but that still leaves a gap. Here, we look at three types of businesses that want you to shop with them, but need you to pay with something other than Discover.
Our best credit card recommendations of 2024
If you're using a debit card for your everyday spending, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Check out our recommendations for the cards that offer top-tier rewards.
Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Cash Back
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBest for cash back on rotating categories
|
Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. N/A | 1% - 5% Cashback Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. |
Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBest for unlimited rewards on purchases
|
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 - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases | 1.5 points per dollar Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. |
Intro: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days Regular: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) |
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBest for cash back
|
Up to $300 cash back Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | 1.5% - 5% cash back Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Intro: 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months Regular: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable |
1. Outside the U.S.
If Discover is your go-to card, you'll need to make other payment arrangements while traveling abroad. That's not to say that no one accepts Discover internationally, but it's not something you can count on, especially if you're traveling outside a major city.
If you really want to use your Discover card while traveling, look for businesses that accept Diners Club. Due to a partnership between Discover and Diners Club, a merchant who accepts one also accepts the other.
If you see that a merchant accepts Visa and Mastercard, feel free to ask if it also accepts Discover. It's possible a business has updated its acceptance policy, but doesn't advertise the fact.
While Discover's international acceptance rates are somewhat patchy, the credit card issuer appears to be addressing the issue. For example, the company has designed a website page to help travelers identify precisely where the card is accepted internationally.
2. Local businesses
While it's impossible to know for certain why certain small businesses do not accept Discover, it could have something to do with fees. Every time a customer swipes a card, a merchant must pay the credit card company a transaction fee. To confuse the matter even more, each credit card company charges a different fee, with some more expensive than others. It's possible that some merchants don't want to add another fee to the mix.
It may also be that business owners want to keep it simple and have chosen to accept only the most widely used credit cards. Among the four major credit card networks -- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover -- Discover is the least used, lagging billions of dollars behind the other three networks in purchase volume.
3. Costco
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Costco is the fifth largest retailer globally. The fact that Costco accepts only Visa cards can put Discover users in a bind. Fortunately, there are workarounds if you really want to use your Discover card to make purchases. Here are two of them:
- Make purchases through Costco.com, where the company accepts Discover card payments.
- You can order from Costco through Uber Eats or Instacart. However, you'll pay a markup on Costco goods when ordering through either of these services, as well as delivery fees, processing fees, and a tip.
If Discover is your preferred method of payment, there's absolutely fine. However, the fact that some places still don't accept Discover serves as a reminder that having more than one favorite credit card is a good idea.
One other reason to consider a backup favorite is that each card issuer has its own list of perks and benefits, and while Discover certainly offers some, there are others you may find valuable. For example, in 2018, Discover eliminated its purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranties. While other companies have done the same, many credit card issuers continue to offer these benefits.
Aside from perks and protections, there are many reasons a person may choose a specific credit card as their go-to. If you've compared credit cards and decided that Discover works best for you, just know that it may take a little more time for it to be accepted everywhere.
Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
Our Research Expert
Dana is a full-time personal finance writer, with more than two decades of experience. Her focus is on helping readers feel less alone as they navigate their personal finances and offering actionable insights.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Related Articles
View All Articles
By: Cole Tretheway | Published on June 7, 2024
By: Lyle Daly | Published on June 5, 2024
By: Christy Bieber | Published on June 5, 2024
By: Lyle Daly | Published on June 4, 2024
By: Lyle Daly | Published on June 4, 2024