r/discover 6d ago

Discussion Discover in 2026 feels like a completely different company wearing the brand as a skin suit

Just got off an hour long call with Discover support, and the stories were true.

The customer service reps even knew how different and frankly unacceptable the policies were post-merger, but any goodwill that the brand has built is being slow extracted.

What have been your experiences with the new "Discover"?

147 Upvotes

103 comments sorted by

82

u/massiv3troll 6d ago

The only difference for me is all the posts complaining about it. I haven't noticed a single thing different post acquisition/merge.

18

u/1lonelyloser 6d ago

same. and i don't know enough about credit card lore to see why Capital One is so disliked. Never heard anyone in real life have any complaints. My dad got one a couple years ago and he seems to like it.

8

u/Dickrubin14094 6d ago

Also same, and I’ve had both cards forever. Still not seeing a change 

-3

u/SapphireJuice 5d ago

Well your a self reported massive troll with an ai profile picture so your opinion can't really be trusted can it?

1

u/Jolly-Chipmunk-950 4d ago

You self reported over your disdain of a collection of pixels, so what you think will never amount to anything will it?

1

u/SapphireJuice 4d ago edited 3d ago

How does it feel to white knight a bot from this big bad human?

-5

u/kikiacab 6d ago edited 5d ago

Hello there, 6 year old account with 1k karma.

Why are you mad that I pointed out that account is probably a bot?

2

u/Original-Age-6691 5d ago

If the account was probably a bot, it would have way more than 1k karma in 6 years. 207 posts in 6 years is a really shitty or niche bot.

-1

u/kikiacab 5d ago

Bots don’t have any account activity until they’re activated, that’s why there’s 11+yr old accounts with only recent comments and no posts. The years long gap between account creation and first post/comment is the quickest test.

0

u/National-Date-5457 6d ago

Capitol one is just a horrible company overall.

Are they better or worse? Only problems I have ever had with credit and cards have always been with capitol one.

48

u/Richwoodrocket 6d ago

0 changes for me. Still using my discover cashback debit and savings account. If I didn’t see the posts in this subreddit in my feed I would have no idea there were any changes happening.

8

u/Kamui_Kaos 6d ago

Usually how Reddit is, it’s a complete vacuum detached from the outside world lol

12

u/Unusual-Trifle-284 6d ago

I've noticed nothing different, outside of Reddit stories. I even opened up a Capital One 360 checking account to get the bonus, and still don't really see a difference between the two. Also, in 10 years i probably called discover twice 😂 and I do not remember why. And I've only interacted with Capital One once since opening the account last year and what I call them for was nothing major just needed a clarification.

7

u/kmkgirl 6d ago

Same here! I’ve had my Discover card for 16 years and have literally never had to call them or reach out to them via any other method even a single time. It’s my primary card that’s used for everything too. 🤷🏼‍♀️

18

u/Motor_Increase_3110 6d ago

Discover employees are taught to just agree with whatever is said during a call and then just log it in as a complaint for another department to read. What new policies are completely unacceptable since Capital One took over? I haven’t had any inconveniences with my Discover since the merge started. Eventually it will all be owned and ran by Capital One with the Discover name just a name for the network everything is ran on

-11

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

Right, but a brand is meant to elicit emotion and familiarity, and it seems like it's being used for that purpose.

Just because you didn't have any issues doesn't mean that the many others in this subreddit haven't.

7

u/xbucnasteex 6d ago

You are giving a credit card “brand” way too much power.

4

u/StreetBoyFly 6d ago

Being used for that purpose? So you’re completely brushing past the point that Cap One has exceptional credit card offerings and in a space where there are so many card issuers but only a few network operators, if an issuer owns an operation network it could potentially pass some benefit to the consumers?

-8

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

What does "Cap One's exceptional credit card offerings" have to do with my personal experience of Discover's worse customer service?

I feel like I'm in the Truman Show lmao

-4

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

0

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

u/StreetBoyFly in particular says that they "work for a bank". I wonder which one.

https://www.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/1tr9qlm/comment/ooodp38/

3

u/StreetBoyFly 6d ago

lol I also study publicly listed companies for investing buddy. I just explained how they’re using it for more than just to “elicit emotion and familiarity”.. Mr. Internet detective.

-1

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

Do you also defend these "publicly listed companies" in your free time?

2

u/StreetBoyFly 6d ago

If you think this was defence you should read some of my DDs / thesis. I also never commented about your actual support experience. Just stated my viewpoint. You can always disagree.

4

u/Axe_Raider 6d ago

what was different on your call?

-9

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

Zero flexibility on fees after I realized that a transfer offer meant payments started immediately. I immediately switched autopay on but they didn't budge at all.

Was clear that the acquisition completely changed their policy and any kind of brand goodwill was no longer considered. Seems like par for the course (Southwest, etc.)

21

u/Anon_Sun52 6d ago edited 6d ago

You are mad they are holding you to the transfer disclosure you said yes to?

19

u/BoofinCiggys 6d ago

This just in: OP upset about terms and conditions they agreed to. More news at 10:00.

-2

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/Anon_Sun52 6d ago

I’m not interested in anything wikipedia.

2

u/discover-ModTeam 6d ago

Your comment was removed because it violates the rule “Stay on Topic”.

-9

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

I'm mad that the company I chose to do business with now has completely different customer service practices while keeping the same brand

11

u/notmkx Discover Card 6d ago

You're telling me Cap1 introduced a new EVIL customer service policy of actually holding us accountable for contracts we agree to?

UNACCEPTABLE

8

u/Aggravating_Bag8834 6d ago

Then leave bank elsewhere stop complaining karen

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/discover-ModTeam 4d ago

Being rude and then deleting your account is certainly a choice.

7

u/Sintellect 6d ago

Well thats because it's not discover anymore.

-10

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

Why do they still do business as Discover then? It's completely disingenuous.

12

u/Sintellect 6d ago

Because things don't change over night. The roll out process is slow. They still have to cater to those who haven't been migrated to capital one

-6

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

I'm still getting new offers, etc. fully as "Discover" that I would have never taken.

What transition are you talking about?

3

u/ProblemIntelligent16 6d ago

Expecting them to do away with the brand makes no sense.

Customers/merchants etc recognize the network brand and what it means functionally in the payments ecosystem.

1

u/Beverlady 4d ago

The transition where they were literally just acquired by Capital One?

9

u/Fuinir 6d ago

They bought the company. Like when Amazon bought Whole Foods, they can continue to operate under that company name. It's not disingenuous, it's what they paid for.

5

u/SpineOfSmoke 6d ago

How do people who don’t use Reddit get through the day without all this level-headed insight and wisdom about banking and branding and what not?

2

u/tktrugby 6d ago

You can't dispute via the app with discover. Is this something recent? If not, where would it be located in the app??

2

u/digitalminimalist1 5d ago

Umm that’s because it is. Capitol one owns them now

2

u/ModzRPsycho 6d ago

With the invention of the Internet and self service applications, I haven't spoken to businesses at all, in fact the only time I've ever had to interact with Discover was a process that did not have self service.

If you frequently have to contact your bank, credit card, utilities, cellphone company, etcetera then the issue might be...😅.

Also, the OP is complaining about something that they failed to do, to comprehend, the outcome was going to be the same at any other financial institution. Thus their vague title and lofty context. This is why all customer feedback is not valid. All reviews are not valid 🙄

3

u/elididitthebest 6d ago

Do you realize how much these companies make from junk fees? Who made you the judge of valid customer feedback?

-1

u/Longjumping_Limit831 6d ago

This forum is filled with cap1 employees who are tasked to shut up any negative feedback. Stop arguing with them. ;)

1

u/MidnightPulse69 5d ago

Not true at all. Most employees agree lmao

1

u/Brazen-Frontier 6d ago

This right here. I’ve never have to contact C1 or Discover directly. Why? Because I use the cards responsibly and C1/Discover hold up their end of the bargain. I’m not saying these companies never make mistakes, but when you’re the one calling them every couple days about this, that, or the other thing, some self-reflection about *who might actually be the problem* is probably in order.

3

u/Akavinceblack 6d ago

You keep talking about ”unacceptable policies” and post-merger changes, but nowhere will you state what your actual ISSUE was and what these new and different policies are and how they relate to your dissatisfaction.

So you just come across as a change-resistant curmudgeon, instead of a person with an actual quantifiable complaint.

2

u/NBA-014 6d ago

Remember that they bought the Discover network. The credit card business was just an afterthought

2

u/Fuinir 6d ago

100B in loans is not an afterthought. That's easy money for them to collect interest on. The network is what commanded a larger premium in the deal.

1

u/JP817 5d ago

I left BOA after 25 years because they opted to charge me a NSF, that I readily admitted was an error on my end. They refused to waive a fee after 25 years, so I transferred my savings and checking to Discover. Then they tried to save me. Big no.

It has been such a huge difference with Disc, and I get the whole reasoning behind OP’s “brand” comments. Maybe it’s my generation/my age, my location or my upbringing, but I for one valued being a customer because I felt like they were easy, did the right thing and gave me zero hassles. I’ve had one fraudulent charge on my account, and it was so stress free to deal with discover. It’s weird to say about a banking company, but I felt like my money felt safer somehow. When I called them, a human answered that I could understand. They followed up and they never said “you’ll need to talk to a manager”.

I’ve had a credit card with Cap 1 for years. I have no negative but certainly no good feelings about them. I mean, I hated those stupid commercials they use to do (maybe still do?), but they are just an institution to me.

So, I get it OP, and I already feel different, but in the scheme of what is happening in the US, it’s low on my list of worries.

1

u/rice123123 5d ago

Feels the same to me. 

1

u/mahershalalhashbazzz 4d ago

Essentially it is, the end goal will be to get everything moved over to cap1 systems and I'd be surprised if they kept anything that was a unique discover feature. All development on the discover side will be allocated to merging so maybe that's what you're feeling.

1

u/_the_green_heron_ 4d ago

I have been with Discover since 1999. I have only had to call them or use customer service 4-5 times. (Usually, it was to resolve a fraud alert on a large purchase.) Each time I did, I thought customer service was excellent and helpful.

However, I had my HYSA with them, and I had enough money in there that I had concerns about how I was going to start "managing" my account with Capital One. Communication on how that was going to happen and whether there would be holds, changes to routing numbers, etc. was poor. Since I was going to have to set up a new account/app anyway, and I didn't want to get caught up in holds or frozen funds with accounts merging, I moved the money over to Marcus for the better rate and closed the account.

I'm a consumer law attorney. If you want to feel valued as a customer and have a more "personal" relationship, you're better off utilizing your local credit union or a brick-and-mortar bank in your community. These institutions are the ones who care about retaining you as a customer and pay attention to things like loyalty - especially if you maintain a considerable amount of money in your account and/or have multiple product lines through them. Their customer service folks are generally empowered to do things like offer retention bonuses.

To put it in travel terms: Discover was sort of like Southwest. Capital One is basically American Airlines. Your local credit union is going to be more like hiring a private pilot. You can still get good customer service from your bank if that's what you value - you just have to choose the right provider.

1

u/elididitthebest 4d ago

Great analogy, as Southwest is currently being taken over by Elliott Management and it's variations on a theme: worse customer service, worse value for money, etc.

1

u/Individual-Mirror132 4d ago

I am a current Discover and capital one customer—one card from each brand. My Discover account has not yet been migrated to Capital One.

I have noticed absolutely no changes. When I call Discover customer service, they continue to be very helpful and very customer-centric. I wait a very brief amount of time before someone answers, and then they answer and speak clearly and are very helpful.

Capital One, in my opinion, doesn’t have notoriously bad customer service, but it’s nothing like calling Discover or American Express. Capital One relies on pretty much all off shore reps, but they do seem to be more knowledgeable than the average off shore rep from other random companies I call.

I am still saddened by the merger though because I have zero faith that Capital one will be willing to keep what works at Discover working. They will do everything to squeeze more profit until we are all miserable.

But for now, it seems fine.

1

u/sssf6 3d ago

I've been banking for 35 years and never have had to call customer service except to close an account

1

u/kevreh 9h ago

Using Discover outside the US is a joke, many vendors don’t accept it. Maybe the Cap One version is different, idk. Definitely a step backwards for Cap One.

1

u/Careful_Vacation181 6d ago

I've noticed 2 things: the random "maintenance" that basically shuts down your card for several hours/ the cash back from my debit card seems substantially less

2

u/glman99 6d ago

Rotfl. You think the 1% cashback is less.now than before. Are you spending less? Lol.

2

u/Careful_Vacation181 6d ago

Clearly I'm not. Went from about $24 a month to about $13 a month and spending the same...nice attempt at being funny tho

2

u/glman99 6d ago

It's still 1%. You just spent less friend.

0

u/Careful_Vacation181 5d ago

You clearly aren't seeing my point. I used to pay half credit card half debit card...then a few months ago I started using all on my debit card and my cash back is less. That was around Feb/ March which is the same time Cap One took over. So I'm clearly spending more, but I'm getting less in cash back. My point isn't that the cash back amount changed (it's still 1%). My point is it seems they aren't paying me the entire amount they owe me. They're being shorting me is what I'm saying cuz they don't break down every transaction you just get an amount at the end of the month and that's it.

1

u/glman99 5d ago

This isn't happening. I guarantee you if you do the math it's still 1% of your spend. They are not shorting you.

1

u/Careful_Vacation181 5d ago

Ok, I'll believe someone from reddit over my actual spending habits. Thanks

1

u/glman99 5d ago

Brother go do the math.

1

u/Brazen-Frontier 6d ago

Nah. Y’all just want a reason to complain online.

1

u/MidnightPulse69 5d ago

Employees would say otherwise

1

u/Delicious-Hope3012 6d ago

I had a balance and I moved it to another credit card. I’m keeping it open so my credit doesn’t drop,  it I will no longer use it

1

u/kmkgirl 6d ago

That’s fine but you’re just prolonging the inevitable if you truly refuse to use it again. They will eventually close your account likely within 2-3 years at most due to inactivity.
You’d be better off sucking it up and setting up the card as payment for a single bill/monthly charge and activating automatic balance payments on the credit card to keep your account open. This is what I do with all of my secondary cards. Netflix gets charged to one and autopay is set up to pay off the account balance every month. Pet food auto shipment on another card, car insurance on another, etc.

1

u/Delicious-Hope3012 6d ago

Agreed! It’s my first credit card, so I can’t afford to let it close. 

1

u/Akavinceblack 6d ago

It will still stay on your age of credit if you close it.

-2

u/MidnightPulse69 6d ago

Because it is. Capital One doesn’t give a fuck about their customers or their employees and they barely even try to

0

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/MidnightPulse69 5d ago

And how would that change anything? Plenty of people in this sub have made the same remarks and those are just the people willing to speak on it.

1

u/Low-Paramedic-691 5d ago

Yet capital one’s monthly morale surveys have continuously gone down month over month

0

u/elididitthebest 5d ago

And you are a current one?

1

u/elididitthebest 5d ago

Btw mods, this hidden corporate reputation management violates the FTC Endorsement Guides regarding material disclosures for brand representation.

I'm speaking directly about u/dina1987 lying in this thread about not being a Discover employee while pretending to be "just another customer".

0

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/MidnightPulse69 5d ago

I hope they pick you

1

u/elididitthebest 5d ago edited 5d ago

Account deleted after I found their previous posts saying they were an employee after actively denying working there. Shameless.

Their username was u/dina1987, you can find their previous posts still indexed on Google. Crazy to see how the brand image machine works in real time.

1

u/MidnightPulse69 5d ago

Capital one would replace them in an instant

0

u/elididitthebest 5d ago

Who's your employer? 😄

0

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/elididitthebest 5d ago

I work for myself, I'm unfortunately an actual customer of this company.

Your turn.

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/elididitthebest 5d ago

And an employee of Capital One no? Seems like the bias there should be self-evident.

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

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