Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Discover it<sup>®</sup> Student Cash Back Card Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card
9.0MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 9.0

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
10
Regular APR
8
Rewards
8.8
Benefits
8
Welcome Bonus
8.5
Recommended Credit Score: 9
Foreign Transaction Fee: 10
Cash Advance Fee: 9.5
Balance Transfer Fee: 8.2
8.5MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.5

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
9.1
Intro APR
7
Regular APR
8.4
Rewards
9.2
Benefits
8.5
Welcome Bonus
8.4
Recommended Credit Score: 9.1
Foreign Transaction Fee: 8.8
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 7.8
ANNUAL FEE
$0 $69
INTRO APR
0% APR on purchases for six months from account opening No intro offer available
REGULAR APR
10.99% intro balance transfer APR for six months from date of first qualifying balance transfer, 18.24% to 27.24% ongoing variable APR 21.49% - 28.49% Variable APR
PROS
  • No annual fee
  • Making it accessible for those with limited or bad credit
  • Earn cash back in bonus categories
  • Take advantage of an introductory APR period
  • Your activity is reported to all three major credit bureaus.
  • No reward caps
  • No booking fees
  • Unlimited rewards seats
  • 3,000 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary
CONS
  • New credit users may find the quarterly category rewards system complex
  • The card lacks an introductory APR on balance transfers, which may not be ideal for those looking to consolidate debt.
  • Very high balance transfer fee
  • 3% Foreign transaction fee
  • Annual fee
  • No introductory APR
  • Membership fees
WELCOME BONUS
Discover will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year with the card. 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
REWARDS
Discover it® Student Cash Back Card Rewards program is renowned for its flexibility in credit currency. Explore various redemption options for your earnings, including:
  • Enjoy 5% cash back on rotating quarterly bonus categories, up to $1,500 per quarter, with enrollment required.
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Plus, receive a cash back match at the end of the first year.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Rewards program provides exceptional flexibility in credit currency. Redeem your earnings across a wide range of options, including:
  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Member FDIC
BENEFITS
Freeze it® - Easily place holds on stolen or missing cards directly through the app for added security and peace of mind. Access to Credit Education - This feature is best for credit scores to improve. Gain access to Discover's Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, monthly updates, and tips to help you understand and improve your credit. Cashback Match™ - At the end of your first year with the card, Discover matches all the cash back you've earned, effectively doubling your rewards without any limit. so students benefit from doubling reward points for other spending. Rotating Bonus Categories - Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases in rotating quarterly bonus categories, such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and more, up to the quarterly maximum. Good Grade Reward - Get a $20 statement credit each school year if your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next five years. it's not a big reward but a small credit combination helps your spend. Various protections and perks - There are enough perks to justify keeping the card year after year. The lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance can reimburse you. They give you peace of mind when traveling. So can the extended warranty and purchase protection. The anniversary point bonus and EarlyBird check-ins also make it worthwhile. Redemption flexibility - There aren’t any blackout dates, so you can use your rewards points whenever you choose. 25% back on inflight purchases - You’ll get a nice discount on any inflight purchases. This includes drinks, meals, and internet access. Extended warranty protection - Southwest Plus cardholders can add a year to the original warranty on eligible purchases made with the card. They can do this up to $10,000 per claim. Baggage delay insurance - This benefit provides reimbursement for emergency purchases of essential items. It applies when your baggage is delayed for over six hours. It covers up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days. 2 EarlyBird check-ins each year - You’ll get a pair of credits you can use for early check-ins twice per year. This lets you check in automatically before the typical 24-hour check-in. It lets you get an earlier boarding position and a better chance to pick your seat and store your bags. EarlyBird check-in typically costs between $15 and $20.
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. 29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
BALANCE TRANSFER FEE
10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.24% Variable APR 21.49%–28.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
630 - 689 (Poor - Fair) 690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
None 3%
BEST FOR
  • Cash Back Seekers
  • Students
  • Bad Credit
  • U.S. Supermarket Spending
  • Travelers
  • Frequent Flyers
  • Hotel Stays
  • Foreign Travel
  • Rewards Points Enthusiasts
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