Card database → Max Cash Preferred (Elan) vs Discover it Cash Back
Max Cash Preferred (Elan) vs Discover it Cash Back
Printed earn rates valued in cents per dollar, side by side — the same math the Credit Upside engine runs on every charge. Card data verified 2026-09-01.
| Category | Max Cash Preferred (Elan) | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Groceries | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Gas | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Travel | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Flights | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Hotels | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Streaming | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Online retail | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Everything else | 1.0¢/$ (1%) | 1.0¢/$ (1x) |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Statement credits (max/yr) | — | — |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | None |
These two split the categories evenly — the winner depends entirely on where YOUR money goes.
Point values are Credit Upside's maintained mid-range estimates (Discover cash back at 1.00¢). Caps, rotating categories and credit usage change the real answer — the app applies all of them to your actual statement.
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