Escape by Discover® Card Review

Escape by Discover® Card is a premier travel rewards credit card offered by Discover. The card lets you earn double rewards you’d earn with Miles by Discover, which has no annual fee.

Perks

Perhaps the biggest benefit of Escape by Discover is that you can earn 25,000 bonus Miles earned if you make a purchase every month for the first 25 months. You earn 1,000 each month you make a purchase and the full 25,000 as long as you make a purchase every month. It only applies for the first 25 months of the card.

With Escape by Discover you earn an unlimited number of double Miles for every $1 you spend on purchases versus just 1 Mile per $1 spent on most purchases on the Miles by Discover. Earn an additional 2 Miles (a total of 4) for every $1 spent in Discover’s online mall. Miles by Discover lets you earn just 2 miles on purchases from Discover mall.

The card has a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, then 10.99% to 15.99% variable APR based on credit history. If you’re considering this card, you have to decide if the $60 annual fee is worth it. The annual fee isn’t waived in the first year as it is with most cards. You’ll have paid $180 in annual fees by the time you earn the 25,000 reward bonus which is worth a $250 travel credit.

Reward Program

You can earn unlimited rewards that don’t expire. However, if your account is closed or inactive, you may forfeit your rewards. Also, if you fall behind on your payments for two months in a row, you can forfeit the Miles you’ve earned.

There are no travel restrictions; you can redeem you rewards for flights on any airline or set. However, you can’t transfer Miles to or from another frequent flier program. There are also minimum redemption amounts. For example, there’s a 1,000 minimum on partner gift cards and a 5,000 minimum on Discover gift cards and cash redemption. To use rewards on travel bookings, you must redeem the rewards within 90 days after the flight purchase.

Other Interest and Fees

The cash advance APR is 23.99% variable based on the Prime Rate. The cash advance fee is $10 or 5%, whichever is greater. The penalty APR is 15.99% to 20.99% depending on your credit history. The balance transfer fee is 3% while the introductory rate is in effect and $10 or 5% after the introductory rate expires.

You’ll pay a 2% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in other currencies.

Biggest Benefit

• 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers
• 25,000 bonus Miles earned within 25 months

Drawback

• You can transfer Miles to or from the Escape by Miles card.