How do Discover card checks work?

Discover card checks can be used to pay for expenses when your Discover credit card is not accepted. There are Discover card checks for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances, though there are different checks for each type of transaction.

Discover credit card checks work the same as a traditional check, in that you can use them wherever checks are accepted. But when you write a Discover card check, the funds are withdrawn from your card’s credit limit, not from a checking account. There’s also a fee for using a Discover card check: 3% for purchases, $10 or 5% (whichever is more) for cash advances, and 3% for balance transfers.

The cash advance and balance transfer fees are the same as they’d be if you just  used your card without a check. You’ll pay fees on purchases only with Discover card checks, not when using your card directly.

Here’s how Discover card checks work:

• Eligibility: You must have a Discover credit card account to get Discover card checks.
• How to Get Them: You can order Discover card checks online, by calling 1-800-347-2683 or by visiting a local Discover Bank branch. Also, you might occasionally receive a few blank Discover card checks with your monthly credit card statement. Discover does not charge a fee for ordering checks.
• Expiration: Card checks that you order do not expire. Checks received with your Discover credit card statement will expire if a transaction is not posted by the date indicated in the statement.
• Spending Limit: Your Discover credit card’s credit limit is the maximum amount you can spend with the checks. An over-the-limit fee of $29 will be charged to your account if your balance exceeds your credit limit at the close of a billing period. If you have not opted in for over-the-limit transactions, the fee will not apply, and Discover will not process the transaction.
• Types of Checks: There are different Discover card checks for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances. And there are different fees for using each: 3% for purchases, the greater of $10 or 5% for cash advances, and 3% for balance transfers.
• Writing Checks to Yourself: Depositing or cashing a Discover credit card check written to yourself is considered a cash advance. So interest will immediately begin accruing at a rate of 26.49%. And you’ll have to pay a fee of either $10 or 5% of the cash advance, whichever is greater.
• Writing Checks to Other People: There’s a 3% fee for writing a Discover card check to another person for goods or services rendered, or as a gift. The resulting balance will also be subject to the card’s cash advance APR.

Discover credit card checks require some caution, so it’s a good idea to use them as a last resort or emergency measure.