American Express and Discover credit cards offer a range of rewards, with key differences. American Express has high earning rates and premium travel rewards, while Discover focuses on no annual fee cards with solid cash-back earnings. Both cater to different credit-building and rewards goals.
American Express offers a broad catalog with cash-back cards and premium travel rewards cards. Discover, on the other hand, is more streamlined with no annual fee cards and solid cash-back earnings.
American Express cards have annual fees ranging from $0 to $895, while Discover cards have no annual fee. American Express offers welcome offers as high as over 100k points, while Discover offers first-year Unlimited Cashback Match.
American Express has a rewards rate of up to 14x, while Discover offers up to 5%. American Express provides added benefits like Amex Offers and extended warranty, while Discover offers no foreign transaction fees and no late fees on first missed payments.
American Express credit cards require a good to excellent credit score, while Discover cards are available for those with poor to excellent credit.
American Express and Discover have different structures for 0% intro APR offers, with Discover offering longer periods.
American Express welcome bonuses depend on the card type, while Discover offers the same sign-up bonus on all rewards credit cards.
American Express rewards are most valuable for U.S. supermarket spending, while Discover offers flat rewards rates on every purchase or boosted cash back in rotating quarterly bonus categories.
American Express offers more added benefits compared to Discover, which mainly focuses on security and fraud protection.
American Express cards require a good-to-excellent credit score, while Discover offers more flexibility and has options for those with less-than-great credit scores or no credit history.
American Express is ranked first in the 2024 J.D. Power Credit Card Satisfaction Study, while Discover is ranked second.
American Express has a higher U.S. purchase volume compared to Discover.
If you’re looking to build credit while earning rewards, a Discover card is a great choice. On the other hand, if you want to upgrade from your first credit card or maximize your spending, an American Express card may be a better fit.
It’s possible to benefit from having both an Amex and a Discover card, as they cater to different goals and spending habits. Make sure to choose cards that complement your financial needs and goals.
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