Discover it vs. Chase Freedom Flex: Cashback Showdown

Both cards offer 5% back on rotating quarterly categories. Both have no annual fee. So which should you get?

Category Differences

Both have rotating 5% categories, but they differ each quarter:

• Sometimes overlap (Amazon, gas)
• Sometimes different (Discover might have PayPal while Chase has Walmart)

Strategy: Having both cards maximizes category coverage.

First Year Value

Discover it Cashback Match: All cash back earned in year one is doubled. If you earn $300, you get $600 total.

Freedom Flex: 5% on groceries up to $12,000 in year one = up to $600.

Similar first-year value for typical spending.

The Bottom Line

Both are excellent. Freedom Flex wins on dining and Chase ecosystem integration. Discover it wins on first-year value and easier approval. For maximum rewards, consider carrying both.