Discover vs. American Express: Which issuer is right for your next credit card?

Core Insights - American Express and Discover offer distinct credit card options, with American Express providing a wider range of cards including high-earning cash-back and premium travel rewards, while Discover focuses on no annual fee cards with solid cash-back earnings [1][2]. Annual Fees - American Express cards have annual fees ranging from $0 to $895, with some premium options exceeding $500, while all Discover cards have no annual fee [3][4]. Welcome Offers - American Express offers welcome bonuses that can exceed 100,000 points depending on the card type, while Discover provides a first-year unlimited cash-back match on all earnings [7][8]. Rewards Rates - American Express rewards can reach up to 14x points, particularly valuable for U.S. supermarket spending and travel, whereas Discover offers up to 5% cash back on select categories [3][10][11]. Additional Benefits - American Express provides numerous benefits such as Amex Offers, extended warranty protection, and car rental coverage, while Discover primarily offers standard security and fraud protection [12][13]. Credit Score Requirements - American Express generally requires a good to excellent credit score (670 and above), while Discover offers more flexibility with options for those with poor to excellent credit [13][36]. Customer Satisfaction - In the 2024 J.D. Power Credit Card Satisfaction Study, American Express ranked 1st while Discover ranked 2nd, indicating high customer satisfaction for both issuers [17]. Acceptance Rates - Both American Express and Discover cards have lower acceptance rates compared to Visa and Mastercard, but they are widely accepted in the U.S. and are expanding their global presence [19][21]. Recommendations - American Express is recommended for those looking for travel rewards and benefits, while Discover is suitable for individuals aiming to build credit without incurring annual fees [54][56].