Discover Miles Credit Card Review

The Discover Miles Card is, unsurprisingly, a travel rewards card that allows cardholders to earn double miles on purchases up to $3000 in travel-related purchases and a point-per-dollar for general purchases.  Miles do not expire on the card and there are no blackout dates, though there is a limit of 60,000 miles a year – which could be as low as $30,000 per year, depending on how the miles are earned.

Unique Travel Rewards: Unlike other travel rewards cards, the Discover Miles Card offers 1,000 bonus miles a month if the card is used at least once a month – for a maximum of 12,000 miles in the first year of the card, in addition to whatever miles are earned via other purchases.  Miles can be redeemed for airfare or discount airfare, as well as gift cards at 50 brand-name merchants.

Discover Miles Benefits: In addition to rewards points, the Discover Miles Card offers $500,000 in travel accident insurance, as well as enhanced fraud protection that is important to travelers.  Like other Discover cards, the Miles Card has a lower APR than comparable cards and a 0% introductory APR for 12 months, as well as no annual fee.  The lack of an annual fee is significant, as most travel rewards cards charge an annual fee – some of which can be very steep, offsetting the gains from a better rewards program.

Conclusion: The Discover Miles Card is a decent rewards card that is best suited for those who do not make a lot of purchases a year.  The 1,000 a month bonus is only good for the first year of the card, but it can kick into effect for very small purchases.  A cardholder does not need to spend $1000 to earn 1000 miles, so it is a good bet for frugal flyers.  As you can earn greater miles below $3000, it’s not a great system for those who intend on spending well above that, but for people who do not spend a huge amount on credit – or who will use this card in conjunction with other credit cards – it has some unique travel rewards possibilities.

	Miles by Discover® Card
Card Features	12,000 Bonus Miles* - 1,000 Miles Each Month You Make a Purchase for the First 12 Months Double Miles on Up to $3,000 in Travel and Restaurant Purchases Each Year Book Any Travel, Anytime with No Blackout Dates or Restrictions 1 Mile for Every $1 on All Your Other Purchases Unlimited Miles That Never Expire* No Annual Fee Redeem for Travel Credits to Your Account, Gift Cards from Any of Our 90 Brand-Name Partners, or Cash Starting at Just 1,000 Miles *View Discover® Card Rates, Fees, Rewards, and Other Important Information
Best Feature	0% introductory rate; reward program; bonus miles.
Special Notes	Low rate not available to all applicants.
Card Details	With the Miles by Discover® Card, you can take advantage of the travel reward program where you'll earn double miles on up to $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases, and one mile for every dollar spent on general purchases. Earned miles can be redeemed for airfare or reduced airfare on most major U.S.-based airlines with no blackout dates. Miles can also be redeemed for gift cards from 90 brand-name partners or cash. You'll earn 1,000 bonus miles in every month that you make a purchase during the first year for up to 12,000 bonus miles. There is a maximum of 60,000 miles that may be accumulated per year, but miles will not expire as long as the account is active within a 36-month period. Finance charges applied use a more costly method, but the card offers platinum benefits, an attractive 0% introductory rate with no annual fee, and a reasonable APR (for those who qualify).