Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
NHL® Discover it® vs Sainsbury's
NHL® Discover it®
Higher score in this comparison
Sainsbury's
What sets them apart
| Compare | NHL® Discover it®ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Sainsbury'sReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | £0 |
| APR | 18.49% to 28.49%Lower | 20.95% |
| Rewards type | Cashback | Points |
| Rewards rate | 1% cash back on all other purchases; 5% cash back in rotating categories, plus dollar-for-dollar match in first year | 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere |
| Balance transfer intro period | 15 months | 34 monthsHigher |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% | 2.88% to 3.88%Lower |
| Perks | $0 fraud liability on unauthorized purchases, Unlimited Cashback Match: dollar for dollar match of cash back earned in the first 365 days, Free CreditWise credit monitoring and FICO Score 8 access, Pre approval tool that does not impact your credit score, Card Lock in the mobile app, 99% nationwide acceptance (Nilson Report, Feb 2026), Virtual card available before the physical card arrives, if eligible | Nectar points |
| Credit needed | Good | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- NHL® Discover it® scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Founded is lower at NHL® Discover it®: 1985 vs 1996.
- APR is lower at NHL® Discover it®: 18.49% to 28.49% vs 20.95%.
- Balance transfer fee is lower at Sainsbury's: 2.88% to 3.88% vs 3%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Sainsbury's: 34 months vs 15 months.
- Perks: only NHL® Discover it® offers $0 fraud liability on unauthorized purchases, Unlimited Cashback Match: dollar for dollar match of cash back earned in the first 365 days, Free CreditWise credit monitoring and FICO Score 8 access.
- Perks: only Sainsbury's offers Nectar points.
Our verdict on each
NHL® Discover it®
NHL Discover it is a US credit card that suits people who want cashback on everyday spending without paying an annual fee, and who are comfortable holding a balance at 18.49% to 28.49%. It is issued by Discover by Capital One, N.A., and rewards are cashback rather than points or miles.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is a points credit card for shoppers who already spend with the supermarket and want no annual charge, paying 20.95% on borrowing. The balance transfer offer, with a fee of 2.88% to 3.88% across a 34 intro period, is the reason to look past the everyday card when old balances need clearing.
Score breakdown
| Area | NHL® Discover it® | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Annual fee of $0 and a balance transfer fee of 3%, with APRs of 18.49% to 28.49% against a site median of 20.97%. | 9.2Annual fee of £0 helps, but 20.95% interest and a 2.88% to 3.88% transfer fee keep costs mid-range. |
| Offer | 9.4HigherCashback on every purchase with a match on the first 15 of spending, plus good credit needed. | 9.0Points as the points reward plus a 34 balance transfer window cover everyday spend and old debt. |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 9.0 |
How they place
| Ranking | NHL® Discover it® | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 96 of 1020 | 171 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 3 of 35 | 13 of 35 |
If neither fits
HSBC UK has balance transfer intro period at 17 to 36 months, against 15 months for NHL® Discover it® and 34 months for Sainsbury's.
HSBC UK reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | NHL® Discover it® | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Features | Rewards | Rewards |
| Legal entity | Discover by Capital One, N.A. | Sainsbury's Bank plc |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1985Lower | 1996 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | NHL® Discover it® | Sainsbury's | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 18.49% to 28.49%below the median | 20.95%above the median | 19.39 |
| Balance transfer intro period | 15 monthsat the median | 34 monthshighest quarter | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3%at the median | 2.88% to 3.88%below the median | 3% |
Median across 196 listed cards.
Pros and cons
NHL® Discover it®
Pros
- No annual fee, so nothing to pay for keeping the card open: $0
- Cashback on all purchases, with a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 15 of spending
- Balance transfer offer of 15 at a fee of 3%
Cons
- Purchases carry an APR of 18.49% to 28.49%, and cashback is smaller than the interest on a carried balance
- Rotating category bonuses mean the 15 match is the strongest part of the offer only early on
Sainsbury's
Pros
- Spending in the supermarket earns the stronger rate set out in 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere, so card spend in a single place is worth more.
- Clearing an old balance is possible: the transfer window runs 34 and the charge for moving the balance is 2.88% to 3.88%.
- The card is issued by Sainsbury's Bank plc, trading since 1996, rather than by a newer entrant.
Cons
- Borrowing is not cheap: 20.95% applies to anything carried from one statement to the next, so the card only pays when balances are cleared.
- The balance transfer is a paid deal rather than a free one, with 2.88% to 3.88% for the balance moved and 20.95% charged outside the 34 window.
- The reward is points tied to a single supermarket chain, and the thinner part of 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere covers everything else.
Who each suits
NHL® Discover it®
Who it suits
- US cardholders who want a simple cashback card with no annual fee
- People planning a balance transfer who can clear the balance inside the offer period
- Hockey fans who want a card with cashback and no annual fee
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting points or miles instead of cashback, where Wise has no rewards at all
- Anyone who needs a debit card for daily spending, where Starling is the better fit
- Anyone rebuilding credit from scratch, where Varo is the better fit
Sainsbury's
Who it suits
- Shoppers who put most of their card spend through the supermarket and already collect Nectar points.
- Borrowers clearing a balance on another card who can use the 34 window and pay the 2.88% to 3.88% fee.
- People who pay their statement in full each month and want a credit card carrying an annual fee of £0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card, where everyday spending comes straight from the account balance instead of accruing 20.95% on a credit card.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card or Chime Card, which also charge an annual fee and suit anyone focused on secured credit building rather than points at 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere.
- Anyone who spends little in the supermarket, since the thinner rate in 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere then covers most of the card use.
Current offers
NHL® Discover it®
Current offer
Bonus
Discover it Cash Back $200 welcome bonus: $200 statement credit after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
One-time, new cardholders only, available by clicking Apply Now on the page; may not be available if you navigate away or close the page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Unlimited Cashback Match on Discover it Cash Back: Dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in the first 365 days, no limit
For new cardholders; no purchase minimums; offered from account approval through first 365 days; promotional offer may not be available in the future
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
0% intro APR on Discover it Cash Back: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Eligible customers only; 18.49% to 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | NHL® Discover it® | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
NHL® Discover it®
What does NHL Discover it cost to keep?+
There is an annual fee of $0, so the card costs nothing while it sits in your wallet. A balance transfer costs 3% and runs for 15, which is the only separate charge on the card.
What APR will I pay on purchases?+
Purchases carry an APR of 18.49% to 28.49%, which is a range set by your credit profile. The site median across compared cards is 20.97%, so check where your own rate lands before carrying a balance.
Sainsbury's
What does it cost to keep the card open?+
The annual fee is £0 on the main card, so there is no charge for holding it year on year. That applies to the card as issued; the balance transfer deal is the only other fee the terms set out, at 2.88% to 3.88% for the balance moved. Borrowing, not holding, is what costs money here.
What rate is charged if I carry a balance?+
Purchases that are not cleared each month are charged at 20.95%. That rate is the card's real cost, and it applies whatever the rewards are doing, so the card suits someone who pays in full each statement rather than revolving a balance month to month.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
NHL® Discover it®
Sainsbury's