topic Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies in Credit Cards

My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

SGR — Tue, 13 May 2014 22:10:25 GMT

It seems like the Discover IT gets a lot of love here but after carrying it for over four months I'm finding it to be my least favorite for several reasons:

1. They gave me a very low limit comparable to my old CapOne MC platinum card, which I got when I had poor credit. I now have several high limit cards including an $8k ELAN card issued through my bank, a $5k BOA Cash Rewards Visa Sig, a $5k QuickSilver Visa Sig, and a $3k Chase Freedom.

2. I'm unable to request a CLI via the website or the automated phone system. My fifth statement is about to cut, but it seems like a lot of people get the CLI option after their fourth statement cuts.

3. The rewards program is the most restrictive program out of all my other cards. If I want cashback, I must request it in increments of $50. This means that if I have $99, I can only request $50 until the next statement cuts (unless I want gift cards and/or Amazon stuff). All of my other cards have minimum redemptions of around $20-25, and there is no restrictions on the amount after the minimum is met. The Chase Freedom card even offers the same Amazon perk as Discover, too.

Anyone else very disappointed with the Discover IT card? I'm debating closing it if I don't get a significant CLI soon.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

SomeGuyOnTheWeb — Tue, 13 May 2014 22:11:16 GMT

No complaints from me. They gave me my highest limit to date ($7,500).

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

fargobzn — Tue, 13 May 2014 22:55:25 GMT

@SGR wrote:
It seems like the Discover IT gets a lot of love here but after carrying it for over four months I'm finding it to be my least favorite for several reasons:

1. They gave me a very low limit comparable to my old CapOne MC platinum card, which I got when I had poor credit. I now have several high limit cards including an $8k ELAN card issued through my bank, a $5k BOA Cash Rewards Visa Sig, a $5k QuickSilver Visa Sig, and a $3k Chase Freedom.

2. I'm unable to request a CLI via the website or the automated phone system. My fifth statement is about to cut, but it seems like a lot of people get the CLI option after their fourth statement cuts.

3. The rewards program is the most restrictive program out of all my other cards. If I want cashback, I must request it in increments of $50. This means that if I have $99, I can only request $50 until the next statement cuts (unless I want gift cards and/or Amazon stuff). All of my other cards have minimum redemptions of around $20-25, and there is no restrictions on the amount after the minimum is met. The Chase Freedom card even offers the same Amazon perk as Discover, too.

Anyone else very disappointed with the Discover IT card? I'm debating closing it if I don't get a significant CLI soon.

I didn't get an auto CLI until six months but then I got another auto CLI after 9 months. Maybe you should wait and see what happens after six months.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

dumaine — Tue, 13 May 2014 23:04:53 GMT

I have had the card just over 1 yr and the online Luv button has been there since day one, yet it always says to call in. The flipside of that is that I received auto cli's at 6,9 and 12 months.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

bigblue7722 — Tue, 13 May 2014 23:12:54 GMT

I like my discover it a lot but it has let me down a couple of times so far.

The pro's:

My highest CL

Great customer service

Great website

Free Fico score

no AF

Cons:

Cant use it everywhere like visa or mastercard (my discover is making it hard for me to get an amex to be honest)

Shop discover does not have as many websites as the boa rewards which I do know they are ending, also barclaycard seems to have more websites

I would love some bonus 2 or 3% reward categories every quater ( i think almost all of us have a better card for 1% stuff I cant believe discover has not done anything about it)

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

takeshi74 — Tue, 13 May 2014 23:25:37 GMT

@SGR wrote:
They gave me a very low limit comparable to

Doesn't seem to be unusual for Discover to grant low limits to those with more established credit profiles while those with good but less established seem to get higher limits. They gave me a relatively low limit compared to other recent cards (15% of my highest limit at the time). However, they did double it when I requested a CLI and that has made it a bit more usable for me.

@SGR wrote:
I'm unable to request a CLI via the website or the automated phone system. My fifth statement is about to cut, but it seems like a lot of people get the CLI option after their fourth statement cuts.

Call or contact CS. The latter is how I got my CLI.

@SGR wrote:
Anyone else very disappointed with the Discover IT card?

Some certainly are. I'm not.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

phillyguy12 — Tue, 13 May 2014 23:26:36 GMT

I am in a similar boat I convert a more card and dont think ive gotten anything from them since. I got small 300 and 400 clis at 6 and 9 months but coming up on 2 yr mark and no sp cli. no random extra cash back days for me, no star bucks gcs or anything. Ive tried differnt usage and bal reporting to no avail. The 50 cash back is a pain but only card that I have that I can dep into my bank account vs statement credit. Now I only use it for the category and shop discover. If u keep an eye out u can get decent deals I got 25% back from ftd for moms day flowers and I think in june home depot usually does 10-20% on shopdiscover in addition to the 5% for home improvement cat.. u took the hp for it I say keep it just put an autopay on it of u dont use the categories.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

chwebb1 — Wed, 14 May 2014 16:40:47 GMT

@SGR wrote:
It seems like the Discover IT gets a lot of love here but after carrying it for over four months I'm finding it to be my least favorite for several reasons:

1. They gave me a very low limit comparable to my old CapOne MC platinum card, which I got when I had poor credit. I now have several high limit cards including an $8k ELAN card issued through my bank, a $5k BOA Cash Rewards Visa Sig, a $5k QuickSilver Visa Sig, and a $3k Chase Freedom.

2. I'm unable to request a CLI via the website or the automated phone system. My fifth statement is about to cut, but it seems like a lot of people get the CLI option after their fourth statement cuts.

3. The rewards program is the most restrictive program out of all my other cards. If I want cashback, I must request it in increments of $50. This means that if I have $99, I can only request $50 until the next statement cuts (unless I want gift cards and/or Amazon stuff). All of my other cards have minimum redemptions of around $20-25, and there is no restrictions on the amount after the minimum is met. The Chase Freedom card even offers the same Amazon perk as Discover, too.

Anyone else very disappointed with the Discover IT card? I'm debating closing it if I don't get a significant CLI soon.

I'm happy with my Discover It. I like Shop Discover, and although they're not the most generous with CLs, my CL with them is certainly usable. I like that you can redeem cash back for gift cards, and you get a bonus for doing so. As of now, my Discover is my secondary card (behind my AMEX BCE). I've found my Discover to be more widely accepted at smaller "mom and pop" places than my AMEX. I can use my Discover at around 95% of the places I want to shop. I can use my AMEX probably at around 85% of the places I want to shop. The only thing I can really say bad about Discover is that their fraud detection system seems to be a little overzealous, and AMEX is definitely more widely accepted online for some reason (but not in person).

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

mongstradamus — Wed, 14 May 2014 16:44:58 GMT

@chwebb1 wrote:
@SGR wrote:
It seems like the Discover IT gets a lot of love here but after carrying it for over four months I'm finding it to be my least favorite for several reasons:

1. They gave me a very low limit comparable to my old CapOne MC platinum card, which I got when I had poor credit. I now have several high limit cards including an $8k ELAN card issued through my bank, a $5k BOA Cash Rewards Visa Sig, a $5k QuickSilver Visa Sig, and a $3k Chase Freedom.

2. I'm unable to request a CLI via the website or the automated phone system. My fifth statement is about to cut, but it seems like a lot of people get the CLI option after their fourth statement cuts.

3. The rewards program is the most restrictive program out of all my other cards. If I want cashback, I must request it in increments of $50. This means that if I have $99, I can only request $50 until the next statement cuts (unless I want gift cards and/or Amazon stuff). All of my other cards have minimum redemptions of around $20-25, and there is no restrictions on the amount after the minimum is met. The Chase Freedom card even offers the same Amazon perk as Discover, too.

Anyone else very disappointed with the Discover IT card? I'm debating closing it if I don't get a significant CLI soon.
I'm happy with my Discover It. I like Shop Discover, and although they're not the most generous with CLs, my CL with them is certainly usable. I like that you can redeem cash back for gift cards, and you get a bonus for doing so. As of now, my Discover is my secondary card (behind my AMEX BCE). I've found my Discover to be more widely accepted at smaller "mom and pop" places than my AMEX. I can use my Discover at around 95% of the places I want to shop. I can use my AMEX probably at around 85% of the places I want to shop. The only thing I can really say bad about Discover is that their fraud detection system seems to be a little overzealous, and AMEX is definitely more widely accepted online for some reason (but not in person).

I sort of have an bit love hate with discover. My CL is pretty low just like OP, and they don't seem to want to budge with any sp cli. 5% categories,if they are ones you use, and the shopdiscover are where it shines imo.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

SunriseEarth — Wed, 14 May 2014 18:24:33 GMT

Some lenders love you, some don't. AMEX seems to like me, but I can't even get back with Discover for now. I burned them for over $12K in my 2005 BK, and they haven't forgiven me just yet.

As for your CC, if it's not meeting your needs, but other lenders are, then SD the card and use other ones.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

PlasticOrPlastic — Wed, 14 May 2014 18:45:40 GMT

I had a BK in 2011. My best card prior to that was a FP...best I know right

I've never had cards with good companies until this year. So far Discover has been my favorite, they doubled my CL after 3 months as well as dropped my APR 4.25%. The customer service is second to none, and I have been enjoying the rotating categories and shopdiscover a bit to much!

No complaints from me.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

heyitsyeh — Wed, 14 May 2014 20:04:26 GMT

Not in my case. And I use the Discover card the least (like literally, 0.01% of the limit per month if any at all)

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2014 20:41:32 GMT

I like Discover

- I got the CashBack Bonus (More) card back in 2009. I forgot what the initial limit was, once it passed the introductory APR, it got SDed. Now it is out of the drawer with a CL of $3,000 (I think Discover auto-CLI sometime in the past) because of the 5% Gas from July-Sept. Even with a 13.24% APR, I'll use it for gas as we spend about $400 - $500 a month on gas.

- I got the DiscoverIT last month with CL of $1,500 and plan to have a BT to my checking account in July.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

bk510 — Thu, 15 May 2014 11:01:50 GMT

@fargobzn wrote:
@SGR wrote:
It seems like the Discover IT gets a lot of love here but after carrying it for over four months I'm finding it to be my least favorite for several reasons:

1. They gave me a very low limit comparable to my old CapOne MC platinum card, which I got when I had poor credit. I now have several high limit cards including an $8k ELAN card issued through my bank, a $5k BOA Cash Rewards Visa Sig, a $5k QuickSilver Visa Sig, and a $3k Chase Freedom.

2. I'm unable to request a CLI via the website or the automated phone system. My fifth statement is about to cut, but it seems like a lot of people get the CLI option after their fourth statement cuts.

3. The rewards program is the most restrictive program out of all my other cards. If I want cashback, I must request it in increments of $50. This means that if I have $99, I can only request $50 until the next statement cuts (unless I want gift cards and/or Amazon stuff). All of my other cards have minimum redemptions of around $20-25, and there is no restrictions on the amount after the minimum is met. The Chase Freedom card even offers the same Amazon perk as Discover, too.

Anyone else very disappointed with the Discover IT card? I'm debating closing it if I don't get a significant CLI soon.
I didn't get an auto CLI until six months but then I got another auto CLI after 9 months. Maybe you should wait and see what happens after six months.

I have seen many people getting a small cli's 3 months on up......

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

Stanic413 — Thu, 15 May 2014 11:34:31 GMT

Not a huge Discover fan, don't feel much love from them. Only one CLI in December, +$300, after 14 months of having the card. Used it for all holiday shopping and paid it all off, but still nothing. It initally was a More, PC'd to IT early this year. Requested lower interest rate and/or CLI during PC and the CSR couldn't do either for me. I have the luv button and I wish it would just go away because I get the "cannot process at this time" message w/ the 800 #, but don't have the option when I call in. It's officially my lowest limit card at $1500 (aside from store cards which are $1k each). I do like the ShopDiscover. Great offers. Other than that, I don't use it at all. Beginning to feel the same about my Freedom (had 3 years), no auto luv, high interest rates. My credit profile just isn't working for them, I guess.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

Ghoshida — Thu, 15 May 2014 12:38:32 GMT

@SGR wrote:
It seems like the Discover IT gets a lot of love here but after carrying it for over four months I'm finding it to be my least favorite for several reasons:

1. They gave me a very low limit comparable to my old CapOne MC platinum card, which I got when I had poor credit. I now have several high limit cards including an $8k ELAN card issued through my bank, a $5k BOA Cash Rewards Visa Sig, a $5k QuickSilver Visa Sig, and a $3k Chase Freedom.

2. I'm unable to request a CLI via the website or the automated phone system. My fifth statement is about to cut, but it seems like a lot of people get the CLI option after their fourth statement cuts.

3. The rewards program is the most restrictive program out of all my other cards. If I want cashback, I must request it in increments of $50. This means that if I have $99, I can only request $50 until the next statement cuts (unless I want gift cards and/or Amazon stuff). All of my other cards have minimum redemptions of around $20-25, and there is no restrictions on the amount after the minimum is met. The Chase Freedom card even offers the same Amazon perk as Discover, too.

Anyone else very disappointed with the Discover IT card? I'm debating closing it if I don't get a significant CLI soon.

I have pretty good experience with them.

They started with a low limit for me. I did not get any auto CLI; had to call in and take a HP for CLI but my limit was almost tripled.

Their CS is pretty awesome. For a few shopdiscover transactions with Enterprise, I wasn't getting the bonus points. Sending a message to them got all those points back, no questions asked.

Bonus categories are awesome and through SD, you can find retailers who'll stack your category rewards. For example, Abt electronics in winter will mean a total of 15% cashback, and the prices are no-way padded up.

I understand the frustration with the min and the multiples, but I wait it out. That way, Cap One Quicksilver has the best - 1.5% and no min or multiples to redeem rewards

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

clocktick — Thu, 15 May 2014 14:28:48 GMT

I'm not in love with Discover either.

I have a decent limit with them but I just find other cards better. Their categories aren't as good as they used to be - they used to have 6 months of gas and last year it was only 3. I already get my FICO from Barclays. They tried to CLD me after I took advantage of the their BT offer. I can rarely use it in other countries because it isn't accepted. Yes, their CS is nice but I really never need to talk to them. I like their site but that's not a big deal to me.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

jetsfan2013 — Thu, 15 May 2014 14:44:07 GMT

I am new to Discover and hope to see a CLI in 6 mo.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

celluloid17 — Thu, 15 May 2014 17:24:59 GMT

@bigblue7722 wrote:
I like my discover it a lot but it has let me down a couple of times so far.

Cons:

I would love some bonus 2 or 3% reward categories every quater ( i think almost all of us have a better card for 1% stuff I cant believe discover has not done anything about it)

I completely agree with this. I have a Discover IT that was converted from More and I wish they would do better than just 1% on general purchases or something to really set them apart from the pack in order to make it a more desirable card to use on a regular basis. My IT card is pretty much permanently SD'd, but wouldn't be if it wasn't so darn similar to Chase Freedom (a Visa, thus more widely accepted!). I've been lucky in that they've given me an auto cli, but their APR is really high compared to some of my other cards. I love the customer service, their website and ShopDiscover, but since I'm not really using the card because it takes spend away from other higher priority cards in my wallet, those perks become somewhat of a moot point. I'm really kind of leaning towards just closing the card, as I'm trying to simplify my card portfolio.

I think the Discover IT is a GREAT card IF you don't have any other category cards or If you spend a lot in the various 5% rotating categories they offer each year. It would also be a great first prime card for someone, but even still, you would probably need to have a Visa or MC on hand in case Discover isn't accepted. For someone like me, I'm not finding it very practical to keep.

Re: My experience with The Discover IT: Low limits and restrictive reward policies

parakleet — Thu, 15 May 2014 17:31:36 GMT

I have no complaints with discover. They've been really good with me. Got initially approved for $5.5k CL and it's now at $8.5k via SPs. I've literally saved hundreds of dollars with shopdiscover and I like how you can get more for your cash back when you redeem for certain gift cards - ex. redeem $40 in cashback for a $50 store gift card. Add to that the free fico score, have no problems with them.