Where Is Discover Card Accepted? 117 Places Listed

Kait Scirri headshot Kait Scirri
Verified & Updated Mar 30, 2019

Discover cards are some of the best credit cards out there today. In the U.S., Discover is widely accepted, you’ll be hard-pressed to find large stores that won’t take it. Abroad, the story is different. Outside of the U.S., Mastercard and Visa are most commonly accepted, and few establishments will take Discover. In London, for instance, virtually no one even recognizes the Discover name. So where is Discover accepted? Please see below.

The List of Places That Accept Discover Card

If you’re a Discover cardholder or thinking of becoming one, you’ll want to know if your local and favorite stores accept Discover.

We’ve verified that the following merchants accept Discover by speaking with customer service representatives and viewing the payment policies listed on some stores’ websites. It is important to note that payment policies can sometimes vary from store location to store location. If you’d like to use your Discover card at one of the stores listed below, it is a good idea to call your local store to confirm that they accept Discover before heading over there. This way there will be no surprises when you go to pay.

Convenience Stores/Gas Stations

Clothing and Department Stores

Grocery Stores/Superstores

Home Improvement Stores

Specialized Retailers

Pharmacies

Restaurants

Travel

The List of Places That Don’t Accept Discover Card

Below, we’ve compiled the list of stores whose customer service representatives advised us that they do not accept Discover. But remember, merchant payment policies can sometimes differ by store location.

  • 7-Eleven (Sometimes — 7-Elevens are franchised, so some locations might accept Discover)
  • Chevron
  • Costco
  • WinCo Foods

Beyond these chains, local shops might not accept Discover yet, but keep an eye out, more are accepting it all the time.

Is the Discover Card Accepted Outside the U.S.?

If you are planning to visit another country, you need to know if your Discover card will work once you’re outside of the U.S. According to this page of Discover’s website, the Discover card is accepted in 185 countries and territories. If you would like to know if your card is accepted in the country you will be traveling to, you can use Discover’s Credit Card Acceptance search tool to look up a specific country. The search tool results will tell you what logos to look for when visiting foreign merchants and will also provide a list of ATMs for your convenience.

It’s important to note, however, that just because Discover is accepted in a particular country, that doesn’t mean that it is widely accepted. Just like in the U.S., merchants have the option of accepting Discover cards or not. However, unlike in the U.S., Discover is accepted far less frequently than Visa or Mastercard in foreign countries. If you are planning to travel outside of the U.S., it is best to use a credit card that is widely accepted internationally, such as Visa or Mastercard. Alternately, you can utilize traveler’s checks if you don’t have a credit card other than Discover and you don’t want to carry cash.

Using Your Discover Card in Europe

Remember that Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted credit cards in Europe, and while some places may accept Discover card in Europe, you shouldn’t count on it. According to Discover’s Credit Card Acceptance Search tool, Discover is not accepted at all in some popular tourist countries such as the U.K.

Many European merchants set minimum purchase requirements for charge purchases. So you might find yourself only able to use your Discover card for purchases over a certain amount. If you’re traveling in Europe and would like to use your Discover card, ask the merchant if there’s a minimum charge requirement before making your selection or placing an order. This is particularly important when it comes to restaurants and food purchases.

When using your Discover card in Europe, you may be given the option of paying in euros or converting your charge to U.S. dollars. While paying in dollars might feel more familiar and comfortable, you might be subject to conversion fees. According to this page of Discover’s website, the exchange rate for this service might be one set by the merchant, sometimes leaving you with a hefty additional fee.

Using Your Discover Card in Other Places

These tips are good to keep in mind even if you are traveling to somewhere other than Europe. If you’re traveling to Canada, you may search for your specific Canada location to find out where Discover is accepted. You can even look up a list of stores, restaurants, hotels, and transportation services who accept Discover. Another popular destination where Discover is accepted is Mexico. You may look up your specific destination in Mexico for a list of stores, restaurants, hotels, and transportation services in Mexico who accept Discover.

In Summary

Where is Discover accepted? Now you know. Discover is a popular and widely accepted credit card throughout the U.S. It is accepted at most major stores, including convenience stores, gas stations, department stores, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and pharmacies. Discover is also widely accepted throughout Canada, Europe, and Mexico. There are a few things to be aware of before using your Discover card abroad, such as minimum purchase amounts and potential conversion fees.

Suggested Next Article: These Are the Stores That Take Discover Cards

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4 comments

  • joyce pinson
    | 5 years ago

    Please advise if Discover can be utilized at H-E-B grocery stores.

    • First Quarter Finance logo
      First Quarter Finance | Lindsey Desmet
      | 5 years ago

      Hello, Joyce! We contacted H-E-B and were told that you can use Discover cards at its stores. We have updated our list to include H-E-B.

  • Alicia Taylor
    | 5 years ago

    There’s no mention of any travel/leisure companies here? Is Discover accepted by Hertz, Expedia, Marriott and the like?

    • First Quarter Finance logo
      First Quarter Finance | Lindsey Desmet
      | 5 years ago

      Hello, Alicia! Yes — Hertz, Expedia, and Marriott accept Discover. We have added these and several other travel-related companies to our list.