Can I have two Discover cards?

You can only have 2 Discover credit cards at the same time. To get your 2nd Discover card, you must have had the 1^stcard open for at least 1 year. Your 2 Discover cards can be different or the same in most cases. But you can only have one student card and one secured card. Some people might get 2 of the same card to get around and double their quarterly spending limits for bonus categories. If you want 2 Discover cards, it’s probably best to have them cover different needs. For example, you could get 1 Discover it® Cash Back card for your everyday spending and 1 Discover it® Miles card for travel purchases.... read full answer

Here is how many Discover cards you can have:

• As a primary cardholder: Up to 2 accounts. You must have the 1st card open for a year before getting a second. Your 2nd card can be different or the same, but only one can be a student or secured card.
• Per account: You can get up to 5 cards for authorized users per account.
• As an authorized user: There’s no limit reported for how many Discover accounts you can be an authorized user on.

Discover offers several credit cards to choose from: Discover it Cash Back, Discover it® Student Cash Back, Discover it chrome, Discover it® Student chrome, Discover it Miles, Discover it® Secured Credit Card and the NHL® Discover it® card.

Applying for a 2^nd Discover credit card account is the same as applying for your 1st. There will be a hard credit inquiry, which may temporarily hurt your credit score. And approval will depend on your annual income, expenses, and credit history. If you want to know where you stand before applying, you can check your credit score for free, right here on WalletHub.

Yes, you can generally have two credit cards from the same bank, as most issuers allow it. Getting more than one card with the same bank may actually be a good idea in certain situations, too. That’s because there isn’t one card that offers the best terms for every purchase category, along with the lowest rates and fees. So, using more than one credit card may help you save money by enabling you to get the most out of each transaction.... read full answer

Benefits of Getting More Than One Card with a Certain Bank

• Having two or more credit cards enables you to adopt the Island Approach. This could mean using a pair of rewards credit cards by matching them with your biggest spending categories.
• You could also use a cash back credit card for daily purchases along with a travel rewards card or a store card for your favourite retailer.
• If you have debt or are planning a big purchase, you can couple a credit card offering a 0% introductory APR with a rewards credit card for everyday spending.
• Having more than one credit card also helps lower your credit utilization, which in turn improves your credit score.

Note that an extra credit card account may also come with potential drawbacks.

Potential Drawbacks from Having Multiple Cards with the Same Bank

• If identity theft is suspected, the bank could block you from all the accounts until the issue is investigated and solved.
• You would not be able to transfer your balance between credit cards from the same institution.
• You need to be mindful of the risks associated with having multiple credit cards in general. Applying for credit cards generally triggers hard inquiries which can cause a temporary dip in your credit score.
• Having more than one credit card gives you another due date to remember and increases your potential to rack up debt. You can avoid this by setting up autopay, especially when having multiple accounts.

Having two credit cards from the same bank can definitely help you save as long as their rewards are aligned with your spending habits and outweigh their fees. If you need help picking a new credit card, feel free to check out WalletHub’s free CardAdvisor tool for a personalized credit card recommendation.

If denied for a Discover card, the first step is to find out why Discover rejected the application. The reasons will be listed in the denial letter Discover sends out shortly after its decision. They may include an annual income below what’s needed to make minimum monthly payments, a low credit score, too many recent credit inquiries or a high amount of debt, among others. Discover will also deny people who already have two open Discover card accounts or who are applying for a second less than a year after getting the first. Incomplete or inaccurate information on the application could result in a denial, too.... read full answer

Next, review your credit report to make sure there are no errors that could trigger a denial. If you notice any discrepancies, dispute them with the credit bureau(s) immediately. It’s always a good idea to do this before you apply to minimize the risk of being denied.

After you’ve determined the reason(s) you were denied for a Discover card, if you think your application deserves a second look, try a reconsideration. Discover does not have a dedicated phone line for reconsiderations, but you can call customer service at 1 (800) 347-2683. If there have been significant positive changes in your credit profile or your finances since you applied, it may be worth a try. But it’s not easy to get a denial overturned.

If reconsideration is unsuccessful, consider applying for a card with higher odds of approval, such as a secured credit card with no credit check. Or, you can sign on to another person’s account as an authorized user. This allows you to build credit without being responsible for payments every month.