What's the point in using Discover any longer?
Sep 11, 2018, 11:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 605
What's the point in using Discover any longer?
Since Discover dropped extended warranty and price protection, does anyone see any reason to really use the Discover Card any longer? I actually used the extended warranty when some items stopped working. Pretty pissed that it's no longer around. I like the 5% CB, but I care more about the extended warranty. I've since moved my large purchases to AMEX, Chase and Citi respectfully.
Are you guys still using your Discover Card?
Are you guys still using your Discover Card?
Sep 11, 2018, 12:20 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
I've never used Cash Over, but I always thought being able to get cash back at the POS without having it count as a cash advance was nice in an emergency.
There's also the linkup with the Diners Club, JCB and UnionPay networks for international use. Of course, using Discover overseas is very much YMMV.
There's also the linkup with the Diners Club, JCB and UnionPay networks for international use. Of course, using Discover overseas is very much YMMV.
Sep 11, 2018, 12:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,533
Yup, use it for the 5%, and then redeem for the "extra" gift cards which can get another 20% discount.
My primary "cashback" card is my Barclay Arrival + Elite card and I redeem for "travel" so I think that's 2.05% cashback.
I don't have the Citi Double card yet, otherwise I'd probably use that since I don't think it has an AF, whereas the Barclay has the $95 or whatever AF (and I don't think anyone's ever gotten them to waive it).
Also have the Chase Freedom I use for 5% "cashback" but use the UR instead.
My primary "cashback" card is my Barclay Arrival + Elite card and I redeem for "travel" so I think that's 2.05% cashback.
I don't have the Citi Double card yet, otherwise I'd probably use that since I don't think it has an AF, whereas the Barclay has the $95 or whatever AF (and I don't think anyone's ever gotten them to waive it).
Also have the Chase Freedom I use for 5% "cashback" but use the UR instead.
Sep 11, 2018, 12:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
After they took away the Enterprise certificates, there seems to be no point. Discover is strictly 5% cashback, no way to get more (other than useless gift cards).
Sometimes their categories overlap, and so I'd use the Freedom to transfer to UR, or if restaurants (like now) just use another card that gives me 2x anyway.
Sometimes their categories overlap, and so I'd use the Freedom to transfer to UR, or if restaurants (like now) just use another card that gives me 2x anyway.
Sep 11, 2018, 1:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,663
I've only been able to use it in London at a few merchants that had the Discover logo on display. Elsewhere, even if the Diners logo was present, I wasn't able to use it.
Sep 11, 2018, 1:40 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Sep 11, 2018, 4:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 539
There are some combinations with Discover that will yield some nice returns besides the 5% categories. They have Discover deals (extra cash back) at stores like Saks, Nike, LEGO, etc. that come in handy during the holidays or gifts. You also have some good redemptions on certain GCs that can sometimes be as high as 25% off the face value of the GC. You have gas cards for Shell at 7% off face value, which is not a lot but when combined with other multipliers can turn into a decent return. It's not a daily driver, but if you can pick your spots you can get some decent earnings over the course of a year.
Sep 12, 2018, 10:56 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Price protection on restaurant meals? Extended warranty on books or music I buy from, or movies I rent online at, Amazon? I've never heard of such things, so that's why the loss of these is something i never noticed anyway.
Sep 14, 2018, 12:17 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 874
I love my Discover card. 5% cashback, no annual fee, awesome app & website. The Discover Deals can be good, if you were planning on spending on the specific vendor anyway. I always redeem mine for Shell cards. A lot of gas stations have different prices for cash vs credit card. Using Shell giftcards count as cash in this sense: I can get same price as cash. Right there can be an additional saving of 2-3%. I'll take what I can get.
Sep 16, 2018, 12:39 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,004
My Citi 2% card gets me twice as much (duh
). I use my Discover for the 5% category and Citi for everything else. $1000/yr is worth more to me than a nice app/website.It was my first card, so it helps my credit score, but it's not really competitive anymore.
Sep 16, 2018, 10:07 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: Grounded
Posts: 669
I just go for the easy categories where I don’t care about ancillary benefits. 5% on restaurants or something at amazon that I’ll never return. Anything else goes on Amex or citi double cash even if the return isn’t good.
Sep 16, 2018, 11:53 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 309
Sep 16, 2018, 7:09 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
It is my oldest card. So I just have to use it from time to time.