NHL® Discover it® Credit Card

In-Depth Review: NHL® Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card

The NHL® Discover It Cash Back Card is a credit card from Discover with an NHL theme. It is essentially a redesigned version of the Discover It Cash Back Credit Card, offering 5% cash back on purchases in rotating bonus categories such as grocery stores, restaurants, gas, and more.

Additionally, it provides 1% cash back on everyday purchases automatically. Similar to other Discover credit cards, Discover matches the rewards earned for the first year with their Cashback Match program, allowing hockey fans to automatically double their cash back.

Who Can Benefit from the NHL Discover it®?

First and foremost, the NHL® Discover it® is the perfect cash back credit card for hockey fans everywhere. With the option to choose from all 32 NHL teams (including an NHL-branded version), hockey lovers can proudly display their favorite team every time they use their card to make a purchase in-store.
This card is also ideal for individuals who want to maximize their rewards and earn cash back on their everyday spending. If you enjoy keeping track of rotating categories and strategically using your credit card, the NHL Discover it® is the perfect choice for you.

Additionally, if you’re a new cardholder looking to make the most of your rewards, the Cashback Match feature of the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card can provide a significant advantage. By doubling your cash back earnings during the first year, you can quickly accumulate a substantial amount of rewards.

How to Get the Card

Getting your hands on the NHL® Discover it® is straightforward and follows the same process as the basic Discover It:

Credit Needed

The credit score requirement for the Discover it® Cash Back card is generally a credit score of at least 670 to be approved. This means that the card is targeted towards individuals with excellent or good credit.

Pre-Qualify Before You Apply

One of the great features of Discover credit cards is the option to pre-qualify before applying. By pre-qualifying, you can check if you meet the initial criteria for the Discover it® Cash Back credit card without impacting your credit score.

This allows you to assess your chances of approval and make an informed decision before officially applying. It’s a convenient way to ensure you’re on the right track to maximizing your rewards and getting the most out of your spending.

How to Apply

When applying for a Discover it® Cash Back credit card, applicants are typically required to submit the following personal information and documentation:

• Full name
• Social Security number
• Birth date
• Address and duration of residence
• Annual income
• Current employer and duration of employment
• Email address and telephone number

It’s important to remember that while the credit score is a significant factor, other aspects of an individual’s financial situation and credit history are also taken into consideration during the application process.

Choose Your Card Design

Cardholders can customize their NHL® Discover it® by choosing their favorite NHL team card design. You can opt for any of the current 32 NHL clubs, including the following card versions:

Introductory APR Benefit

All Discover credit cards (excluding credit building options) offer a 0% intro APR. Cardholders enjoy 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. This lengthy introductory APR period is the same as the regular Discover it® Cash Back and on par with other competitive cash back cards from major banks.

How to Earn Cash Back

The NHL Discover It Cash Back earns 5% cash back on a rotating selection of categories every quarter, up to $2,500 in quarterly spending, then 1% back. These bonus categories are expansive and include categories such as grocery stores, restaurants, gas, digital wallet purchases, and more.

Rotating categories can be both frustrating and exciting. They provide the opportunity to earn enhanced cash back on purchases in categories you love, but only for one quarter each year and up to a quarterly maximum of $2,500. For the rest of the quarter, you will only earn 1% cash back on everyday purchases.

Discover has already released its 2024 5% cash back categories, which are as follows:

Discover It rewards never expire.

Cashback Match

One standout feature of all Discover rewards credit cards is the issuer’s Cashback Match Bonus. Discover matches the rewards earned for the first year with their Cashback Match, effectively doubling the total cash back. For example, if you earn $500 back during the year, Discover will automatically make it $1,000!

How to Redeem Rewards

Redeeming cash back with the NHL® Discover it® is straightforward.  You have several options for redeeming your cash back:

• Statement Credits: You can use your cash back to pay down balances on your Discover credit cards by requesting statement credits.
• Bank Deposits: Another option is to deposit your cash back into a checking or savings account that you have linked to your Discover account.
• Gift Cards: You can also choose to redeem your cash back for gift cards from popular brands.
• PayPal or Amazon: Additionally, you have the option to use your cash back points to make purchases through PayPal or Amazon.

These redemption options make it easy for you to enjoy the benefits of your Discover it Cash Back card.

Other Card Benefits

NHL It cardholders also enjoy a slate of security protections and benefits courtesy of the Discover payment Network. Discover is the fourth largest payment network in size, trailing Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

Despite that, Discover provides many of the same features you’d expect from those larger networks, including the following:

Other notable features of the Discover it® Cash Back include:

• U.S. Based Customer Service: Cardholders enjoy 24/7 access to Discover’s 100% U.S. based customer service agents. Discover is renowned for its exceptional customer care, making this an underrated feature.
• EMV Chip Technology: Shop safely with a contactless-chip enabled card.
• Digital Wallets Access: Mobile wallet compatibility with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and more.
• SSN Alerts: Get an alert if Discover find your Social Security Number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. This service is free but requires a separate activation to use.
• FICO Score: Cardholders also gain complimentary access to their updated FICO® Score courtesy of Discover’s Credit Scorecard.

Comparison

Tips for Maximizing Rewards with Discover

To maximize your rewards with the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card, consider the following tips:

• Activate the Rotating 5% cash back categories each quarter to earn a higher cash back rate on specific types of purchases.
• Use your card for everyday spending, including groceries, dining out, and gas purchases, to earn cash back on all your purchases.
• Take advantage of the cash back match during your first year as a cardholder by strategically using your card and earning as much cash back as possible.
• Keep track of your spending and cash back earnings to ensure you’re making the most of your rewards.
• Consider redeeming your cash back as a statement credit, depositing it into your bank account, or using it to shop on Amazon.com for maximum flexibility.

What We Like About the Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card has several standout features that make it a top choice for many consumers.

Choose Your Team

The coolest feature of the NHL® Discover it® is the option to pick your custom card design. With over 30 options to choose from (including every NHL team), there’s a design that is sure to catch your eye.

Rotating Categories

One of the best features of this card is its rotating 5% cash back categories. These categories allow you to earn a higher cash back rate on specific types of purchases, helping you maximize your rewards. Whether it’s groceries, dining out, or filling up your gas tank, you can earn more cash back in these categories.

Cashback Match

Another great feature of this card is the Cashback Match. Discover’s cash back match program is a unique perk that doubles your cash back earnings during the first year. This means that if you earn $500 in cash back, Discover will match that amount, giving you a total of $1,000. This feature is especially appealing for new cardholders who want to make the most of their rewards.

Things to Consider

While the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card has many benefits, it also has a few drawbacks. One potential downside is the requirement to activate the rotating 5% cash back categories each quarter. If you forget to activate the categories, you won’t earn the 5% cash back rate on those purchases. However, Discover provides reminders and makes it easy to activate the categories, so this shouldn’t be a major issue if you stay on top of it.

Discover Ratings

How does Discover Financial Services rate as a credit card issuer? Here are a selection of ratings for the bank from experts and the public:

Should You Apply for the NHL Discover It Cash Back Card?

The NHL Discover It is a solid cash back credit card that allows NHL fans to show their pride when they use their card to pay for purchases. With over 30 logos to select from (including the NHL itself), the card is the ideal way to show other shoppers where your loyalties lie as you swipe your way to 5% back savings.

While the card doesn’t differ much from the Cash Back Card, the NHL partnership allows you to add some flavor to your Discover Card. Discover cards are typically understated, but with the NHL Discover It Card, bright colors, and flashy logos combine to make a visual statement, most Discover’s simply can’t.

For those that only plan to use their card for dining out, ordering in, chowing down, or fueling up, the 2% cash back on purchases is superior to other Discover products all year round. Otherwise, the Discover It Cash Back , Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card, Chase Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited, or the Citi® Double Cash Card options to consider.