Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
All credit cards
Side-by-side
Discover it Cash Back vs PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Both are cashback travel cards. The Discover it Cash Back comes from Discover at $0/yr; the PayPal Cashback Mastercard from Synchrony at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Discover it Cash Back | PayPal Cashback Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) | $200 cash back |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | Synchrony |
| Card category | cashback | cashback |
| Best earning category (Rotating) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Read the full review
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
$0/yr · $200 cash back
Editorial take: PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Discover it Cash Back or PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $200. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
- Is the Discover it Cash Back's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- The Discover it Cash Back has no annual fee, so the question is whether the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Discover it Cash Back.
- Can I have both the Discover it Cash Back and PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover and Synchrony) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Discover it Cash Back or the PayPal Cashback Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Cash Back: $0 spend in 12 months. PayPal Cashback Mastercard: $500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.