Discover Credit Cards Mobile App Review

It features mobile alert management, a spend analyzer and FICO score monitoring. It also allows you to redeem rewards from your phone.
Funto Omojola
Gregory Karp
By Gregory Karp and  Funto Omojola 
Updated
Edited by Erin Hurd

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Discover's mobile app allows for easy and streamlined management of your credit cards.

It offers a snapshot overview of your recent activity, a statement summary and rewards balances, without requiring logging in to individual accounts. And with its easy-to-navigate layout, you can redeem rewards, pay your monthly bill and check your FICO credit score all in the app.

Despite the app's high ratings and general customer satisfaction, there are a few downsides that users should be aware of.

Features

With Discover’s mobile app, you’ll be able to make payments, view transactions, as well as check how many rewards you’ve earned and redeem them right there. Here’s a closer look at some of the app’s valuable features:

Login and security

The app’s customized login feature allows users to log in with a fingerprint touch ID, FaceID or a four-digit passcode. This makes for a simplified and secure login process for cardholders.

Credit score monitoring

App users are able to access their credit scores through the FICO® credit scorecard, located directly on the app’s home screen. Tap the scorecard to see your credit history, as well as a breakdown of the key factors affecting your score.

Overview of rewards and redemptions

Discover cardholders can immediately see their available cash-back bonus balance after logging in. Through the cash-back bonus tab, app users are able to view redemption options, which include making payments with your cash-back bonus, and redeem rewards with just one tap.

In addition to this home screen short-cut, there’s a separate "rewards'' tab where you can view more detailed information regarding your cash back, including monthly rewards earned and your redemption history.

You can also activate Discover's 5% bonus categories through this tab. Select Discover cards, including the Discover it® Cash Back and the Discover it® Student Cash Back, earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter in rotating categories that you must activate, and 1% cash back on other purchases.

Spend analyzer

Through the app’s spend analyzer feature, account holders can get a breakdown of spending by activity, category and month. You’ll be able to view summaries of recent and total spending, as well as monthly spending trends and insights.

Card freeze feature

If you misplace your card and aren't sure whether it's lost, you can temporarily lock it instead of canceling it, then unlock it if you find it. Discover’s "Freeze It®" feature will stop purchases, bill payments, balance transfers, and cash advances.

Mobile alert management

When you activate mobile alerts through the app, you’ll be informed about important notices via text or push notification. For example, you can choose to get an alert if your Social Security number is found on predatory sites, when new accounts are opened on your credit report or when there's a pull on your credit report.

Direct customer service messaging

The app allows account holders to swap direct messages with customer service representatives. Rather than remaining live for a phone or session-based chat, you’ll be notified when your message has been responded to in-app. This allows for a more efficient stream of communication.

Recurring billing options

By clicking on the "recurring billing" tab, located on the app’s home screen, you can set up and keep track of automatic bill payments. With this feature, you’ll be able to see automatic merchant charges like utility bills, cell phone bills and Netflix membership fees.

Mobile wallet compatibility

Mobile app users can link their cards to several mobile wallet services, including Apply Pay and PayPal, through the "services" tab. You can also link your card to Amazon.com, which allows you to pay with your Discover card on the site.

Time-saving services

The Discover app offers a number of streamlined features that can make it easier to complete often tedious card-related tasks. App users are able to do the following:

  • Use the "Quick View" feature: This allows cardholders to view important account information, like current balances and payment due dates, without having to log in to the app.

  • Add or manage authorized users: Through the "services" tab, cardholders can add an authorized user without having to call the issuer.

  • Request a credit line increase: Rather than asking by phone, cardholders can request a credit line increase directly through the app.

  • Make payment changes: In addition to viewing payment history on the app, cardholders can make automatic payments, change payment due dates and manage linked accounts through the "payments" tab.

  • Register travel: The app allows cardholders to notify Discover when traveling and making charges outside their home region.

Drawbacks

In addition to the many user compliments about the app’s design and function, there are few consistent complaints, including:

  • Not available for some devices: The app has versions for Apple and Android systems, as well as Apple Watch and Android Wear. However, it isn't available for Windows Phone or Blackberry, but these users could turn to the mobile-device version of its website.

  • Login bugs: Despite generally positive reviews, some app users have reported instances of a slow or disrupted login process when Face or fingerprint ID is used.

  • Some card details inaccessible: While you’ll be able to see general card information, like the account balance and rewards summary, app users aren't able to view their card’s specific terms and conditions.

Desktop vs. mobile

The mobile app offers a similar feel compared with accessing your account from Discover’s website. However, you’ll have to log in from a web browser or call Discover’s customer service to find out about your specific card agreements.

Ratings

Ranked No. 4 out of 11 major credit card issuers in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Credit Card Mobile App Satisfaction Study

4.8 / 5 — Apple App Store (rating as of March 2021)

4.5 / 5 — Google Play Store (rating as of March 2021)

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