What you need to do to open a Discover account

To open a Discover credit card account, you will need to submit an online application through Discover's website, provide personal information including your Social Security number, and wait for a decision that usually comes within minutes. Discover does not have physical branches, so the entire process happens online or by phone.

The application asks for your name, address, date of birth, income, employment status, and existing debts. Discover will check your credit report during this process. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If denied, Discover will mail you a letter explaining why within 30 days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start a Discover application on their website in about 10 minutes, and most decisions come back the same day.
  • Discover pulls your credit report, so the application will show a hard inquiry on your credit history.
  • You need a Social Security number, current address, and proof of income to complete the application.
  • If you are denied, Discover will tell you the reason, and you can reapply after addressing that issue.
  • Discover offers different card products with different rewards and annual fees, so choose the one that matches your spending before you apply.

What information Discover asks for on the application

Discover's online application collects standard credit card information: your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email. You will also enter your annual income, current employment status, and employer name.

The application asks about existing debts, including mortgages, car loans, student loans, and other credit cards. Be honest about these amounts — Discover uses them to calculate your debt-to-income ratio, which affects whether you are approved and what credit limit you receive. If you have no other debts, you can enter zero.

You will also choose which Discover card product you want. Discover offers cards with different rewards structures and annual fees. Some cards have no annual fee and offer cash back on all purchases; others have an annual fee but offer higher rewards in specific categories. Read the terms for each card before you submit your application, because you cannot change which card you applied for once the application is submitted.

How Discover checks your credit and makes a decision

When you submit your application, Discover performs a hard inquiry on your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This inquiry will appear on your credit report and may lower your credit score by a few points. Hard inquiries stay on your report for two years but stop affecting your score after about three months.

Discover's decision is based on your credit score, payment history, existing debts, income, and how long you have had credit accounts open. If your credit score is very low or you have recent late payments or collections, you are more likely to be denied. If you have no credit history at all, Discover may deny you or offer you a secured card instead, which requires a cash deposit.

Most decisions come back within minutes of submitting your application. Some applications go into manual review and take up to a few business days. If you are approved, you will see your credit limit and card terms on screen immediately. If you are denied, you will receive a letter in the mail within 30 days that explains the specific reason.

What to do if Discover denies your application

If you are denied, the letter from Discover will cite the reason — usually a low credit score, insufficient credit history, too much existing debt, or recent late payments. You can call Discover's customer service number on the letter to ask for more details about the decision.

Before you reapply, address the reason you were denied. If it was a low credit score, wait a few months while you pay down existing balances and make all payments on time. If it was insufficient credit history, open a secured credit card with another bank first to build a track record. If it was too much debt, pay down existing balances before reapplying. If it was recent late payments, wait until those payments are older — typically six months to a year — before reapplying.

You can reapply to Discover after you have made changes, but each application triggers another hard inquiry. Space your applications at least a few months apart to avoid multiple inquiries in a short time, which can hurt your credit score further.

What happens after you are approved

Once approved, your Discover card will ship within 7 to 10 business days. Discover will mail it to the address you provided on your application. You can track your shipment through your online account once the card ships.

When your card arrives, you will need to activate it before you can use it. You can activate it online through your Discover account, by calling the number on the card, or by making your first purchase. Your credit limit will be printed on your card or visible in your online account.

Your first billing statement will arrive about 30 days after you activate your card. Discover offers a grace period on purchases, which means you will not pay interest if you pay your full balance by the due date. If you carry a balance, interest charges begin to accrue at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).

Discover card options and what to choose

Discover offers several card products. The Discover it Cash Back card has no annual fee and offers 1% cash back on all purchases, plus 5% cash back on rotating categories that change each quarter. The Discover it Student Cash Back card is designed for students and offers similar rewards. The Discover Secured Credit Card requires a cash deposit equal to your credit limit and is designed for people building credit for the first time.

Choose based on your spending habits and credit history. If you have established credit and want rewards, the Discover it Cash Back card is a common choice because it has no annual fee. If you are a student, the student version may offer additional benefits. If you have no credit history or a very low credit score, the secured card is often the only option available to you, and it works like a regular card once you make your deposit.

You can only apply for one Discover card at a time. If you want to switch to a different Discover product later, you can request a product change through your account, which does not require a new application or hard inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for a Discover card?

Most decisions come back within minutes of submitting your online application. Some applications go into manual review and take up to a few business days. Once approved, your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days.

What credit score do I need to get a Discover card?

Discover does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, approval is more likely with a score of 670 or higher, but some people with lower scores have been approved. If you are denied, Discover will tell you the reason in writing.

Can I apply for a Discover card if I have no credit history?

If you have no credit history, a regular Discover card application will likely be denied. Discover offers a Secured Credit Card for people building credit, which requires a cash deposit. After using the secured card responsibly for several months, you may be able to upgrade to a regular Discover card.

What happens if I am denied — can I reapply right away?

You can reapply after you have addressed the reason for denial, but waiting a few months is better. Each application triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Multiple inquiries in a short time can lower your score further and make approval less likely.

Do I have to use my Discover card after I get it?

No. Once approved and activated, you can use your card as much or as little as you want. However, if you never use it, Discover may close the account after a period of inactivity, typically 6 to 12 months.