Do most people accept Discover?

Asked by: Naomi Schowalter  |  Last update: October 10, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (5 votes)

Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards. Get the facts—99% of merchants nationwide who take credit cards accept Discover.

How widely accepted is the Discover card?

Discover gradually expanded its network and is now accepted in 99% of stores that accept credit cards and in millions of retailers around the globe. As of 2024, Discover is the fourth largest issuer of cards.

Why don't people accept Discover?

Discover has a higher flat fee and percentage than Mastercard or Visa, and since there are fewer people who use it, most smaller stores feel that it isn't worth it to pay them to accept Discover.

Is it smart to get a Discover card?

Discover is often a good choice as a first card, but their offers aren't particularly competitive if you have established credit history. 18 months is a bit longer than currently more typical 15mo 0% offers on no-AF cashback cards, but not enough to outweigh that those usually come with $200 SUBs.

What is the most widely accepted credit card?

Most Widely Accepted in the U.S.: Visa and Mastercard (10.7+ million U.S. merchant locations). Least Widely Accepted Internationally: American Express (198+ countries and territories). Least Widely Accepted in the U.S.: American Express and Discover (10.6+ million U.S. merchant locations).

Why are Discover Credit Cards Popular? (Explained)

25 related questions found

What places do not accept Discover cards?

3 Places that Don't Take Discover Credit Cards
  • Costco. Costco only accepts Visa credit cards at its warehouses. ...
  • Some local businesses. ...
  • Most places abroad. ...
  • Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025.

Which credit card do most millionaires use?

What credit card do millionaires use? Many millionaires use the American Express Centurion Card, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, the Insignia Jewellery Card, and other high-end, invitation-only cards that provide extensive travel perks and personalised services.

Is it better to have a Visa or Discover?

Key takeaways. Where Discover credit cards shine for their lack of fees, they come up short in terms of global acceptance and available cardholder perks. Visa credit cards stand out for their rewards rates and cardholder benefits, but only with the top cards available within the network.

Does Amazon accept Discover cards?

Amazon Pay accepts credit and debit cards. Credit cards currently accepted include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB. The Amazon.com store card is available for use with selected merchants. In some circumstances, you might be limited to using Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Why is it so hard to get approved for Discover card?

Common reasons applicants are denied credit cards include low credit scores, no credit history, inadequate ratio of income vs. expenses, and not meeting minimum age requirements.

What is the disadvantage of Discover?

The cons of banking with Discover Bank include no physical branch presence, no specialty CDs, and no brokerage accounts.

Does Walmart take Discover?

Does your favorite grocery store take Discover? Many national chains like Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, Publix, and Albertsons all accept Discover Card. Walmart takes Discover directly in their Walmart Pay app,2 and a lot of top stores even let you get cash back with your purchase with no additional fees.

Why does Costco not take Discover?

Since Costco has an exclusive contract with Visa, shoppers can't use credit cards backed by the other three main networks — American Express, Mastercard and Discover — at Costco warehouses.

Why do so many stores not accept Discover?

Merchants Pay More

It may come as no surprise that the reason many merchants opt-out of accepting Discover cards (and American Express, for that matter) is about the bottom line. The Discover card is also like American Express in that they both charge a bit more to store owners to accept their cards.

What is the most used credit card in the world?

Visa. Visa credit cards are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, with more than 4.5 billion Visa cards currently in use worldwide.

Does Target accept Discover?

Target stores

Third-party credit cards: Visa®, Mastercard®, Discover®/Novus®, American Express®, credit cards from foreign banks (JCB Japanese Credit Bureau), Diner's Club International, and FSA/HSA cards are redeemable for FSA/HSA eligible items. Debit/ATM and EBT cards: U.S.-issued debit/ATM cards.

Where can Discover Card not be used?

1. Costco. Costco only accepts Visa credit cards at its warehouses. However, if you order from Costco through Uber Eats or Instacart, you can charge the purchase to Discover.

Does McDonald's take Discover?

Yes, McDonald's does take credit cards. Customers can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards issued by a U.S. Bank at McDonald's locations. Credit cards can also be used when ordering through the McDonald's mobile app, as well as third-party delivery apps.

What credit card is Amazon no longer accepting?

Amazon cited Visa's “outstandingly bad” credit card fees as the motive behind dropping the scheme.

What bank does Discover card use?

Most cards with the Discover brand are issued by Discover Bank, formerly the Greenwood Trust Company. Discover transactions are processed through the Discover Network payment network.

Does a Discover card build credit?

With the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, after 7 months, we begin automatic monthly account reviews to see if you qualify to upgrade to an 'unsecured' card and get your deposit back. Apply for a Discover it® Secured card today, and if approved begin to build your credit with responsible use.

How many credit cards should I have?

It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.

Does Elon Musk have a credit card?

To handle that, he has credit cards and debit cards on bank accounts. He can also write checks against his bank accounts. He does not use such cards or checks to buy things like Twitter; big purchases are done with bank loans, more like mortgages for a house.

What credit card does Warren Buffett use?

But he does have at least one credit card: "I've got an American Express card which I got in 1964," Buffett said. (Buffett's holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, owned 17.9% of American Express at the end of 2018, according to its year-end financial report.)

What credit card screams rich?

The super rich use various credit cards, many of which have strict requirements to obtain, such as invitation only or a high minimum net worth. Such cards include the American Express Centurion (Black Card) and the JP Morgan Chase Reserve.