Whether or not your favorite NHL team is a Stanley Cup contender, the NHL® Discover it® card can help solidify your super-fan status with a discounted NHL.TV subscription, savings at Shop.NHL.com and a card that comes embossed with your team’s logo.  

Off the ice, hockey fans can also earn up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases with this rewards credit card and take advantage of Discover’s popular cash-back match, which doubles all the rewards earned in the first year. Here’s how to shoot and score with the NHL® Discover it® card.

Best for: The NHL® Discover it® is great for hockey fans who want to earn cash back and also save on select NHL purchases. 

Rewards: Cardholders earn 5% cash back in different places every quarter, such as gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants, up to the quarterly maximum. (Heads up: You’ll have to activate the bonus category every quarter.) Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Other perks: Cardholders get a 10% discount on NHL.TV subscriptions, save 10% when using the code ITPAYS at Shop.NHL.com and can choose from among 32 NHL-related card designs. 

Bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, with no limit to the match.

APR: 0% intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR based on creditworthiness. There’s no penalty APR.

Annual fee: None

Other fees: 3% intro balance transfer fee for transactions completed by Dec. 10, 2019, then 5% on future balance transfers; cash advance fee of 5% (or $10 minimum); $0 for the first late payment, then $39 for any future late payments; $39 returned payment fee; and no foreign transaction fees.

How This Card Might Bring Joy to Your Wallet

Most major sports leagues offer a co-branded rewards credit card for fans to show off their team loyalty, but benefits and rewards vary. If you were already planning to get an NHL.TV subscription and stock up on gear at Shop.NHL.com, then this card is a no-brainer. But depending on your spending habits, the discounts may only add up to a few dollars here and there — so you’ll want to be sure the card works for you otherwise. 

To maximize your earnings with the NHL® Discover it® card, set a calendar reminder to activate the bonus categories so you don’t miss out on the 5% cash-back rate. Use the card when you purchase items within those categories, but be sure you’re not spending more on the card just to earn rewards. If you plan to make large purchases, try to make them within the first 12 months of account opening, so they qualify for the cash-back match and the 0% intro APR. You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit, cash or gift cards.

Aside from putting your rewards to good use, you can also use this card’s benefits to protect and monitor your credit:

  • Once you activate Discover’s security alerts, the credit card issuer will monitor thousands of dark web sites, alert you if it finds your Social Security number on those sites and alert you if any new accounts show up on your Experian credit report.
  • You can check your FICO® credit score for free on your monthly statements either online or using the mobile app.
  • If you misplace your card, you can use the Freeze It feature to prevent new purchases, cash advances and balance transfers.

How This Card Might Not Bring Joy to Your Wallet

The NHL® Discover it® card comes with a few downsides, starting with the credit card issuer itself. The Discover network isn’t as widely accepted abroad as Mastercard or Visa, which may limit your options on your next international trip.

You also might prefer a card with a simpler rewards structure. Some cash-back rewards credit cards offer a flat cash-back rate instead of rotating bonus categories, which is a no-fuss way to earn rewards — especially if your purchases don’t usually fit into one or two categories. 

The 5% cash-back rate also only applies to the first $1,500 spent in the bonus category. If you plan to spend a lot more, then you can earn more with a different rewards credit card. 

Another downside? The NHL’s online shop may exclude items from the 10% discount at its discretion, leaving you to (potentially) pay full price for that Patrice Bergeron jersey. The discount also can’t be combined with any other promotions.

Overall, the NHL® Discover it® card is a solid option for those who can take advantage of the bonus categories and want to save on select NHL purchases. If you can make the rewards and benefits work for you, then keep this card tucked in your wallet throughout the hockey season and beyond.