Discovery Bank Black Card Review

If you want a credit card that reflects ambition, gives back, and powers your rewards, the Black Card might just be exactly what you’re looking for.

The Discovery Bank Black suite is built for the person who expects more: more reward, more discounts, more style, more travel perks—without compromising on the essentials. The Black card/account isn’t just about having a premium status; it’s about feeling it in your everyday spending, your travel, your wellness, and your lifestyle.

What makes it exciting is how seamlessly the benefits stack up. With Vitality Money, Vitality Travel, Discovery Miles, Real‑Time Forex accounts, airport lounge access, and strong discounts on flights, accommodation, car rental—and even everyday purchases like fuel, groceries, baby essentials—Black is much more than a card, it’s a financial lifestyle upgrade. 

Discovery Bank Black Card Benefits

1. High Discovery Miles Back on Key Categories: With Black, you get very high Discovery Miles back on everyday essentials like healthy groceries, baby essentials, personal care, etc.—for example up to 50% back at places like Woolworths/Checkers for healthy groceries, or healthy baby/personal care items. 
2. Strong Fuel, Uber & Transport‑Related Rewards: Black gives you up to 15% back in Miles on fuel purchases at bp and selected Shell stations, and on Uber rides. For drivers or ride‑users, that can lead to meaningful savings or rewards. 
3. Travel Discounts & Perks: A big perk: discounts on flights (both local and international), accommodation, car rentals. For example, up to 75% off local flights, up to 50% off international flights via partner airlines depending on your spend / status. Then also travel insurance comes free when you purchase your flight tickets using the Black card. 
4. Airport Lounge & Fast‑Track Access: As a Black account holder, you get access to “The Lounge” (Discovery Bank + SAA lounges) at major South African airports (OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka, etc.), domestic departure lounges and international ones. Also, if your monthly spend with the card averages above a certain threshold (R22,500 from Jan 2025), you unlock more complimentary lounge visits. Fast‑track security clearance at key airports (OR Tambo, Cape Town domestic) is also a benefit. 
5. Very Strong Suite of Banking Tools & App Features: The Discovery Bank app with Black gives lots of flexibility: virtual cards, control over cards/PIN/limits, track Discovery Miles, foreign currency allowances, live‑assist from Discovery Bank, ability to transfer between accounts, beneficiaries, etc. For those who like digital control and oversight, this is premium. 
6. High Reward Unlocks for Regular Spending: When you spend regularly—especially on partner merchants or in key reward categories—you unlock more benefits (more Miles, more lounge access, upgraded partner rates). 
7. Cash‑Back Style Utility with Discovery Miles: Not just earning, but Black gives you good ways to spend your Discovery Miles: shop with them at many in‑store & online partners (up to 15% off or more), use Miles for airtime/data or prepaid utility/digital vouchers, travel bookings, accommodation, car rental, even exchange them for cash. 
8. Complimentary Add‑Ons and Extra Cards: Black suite includes multiple virtual cards (up to 50 virtual cards for free) so you can use them for online purchases, travel, etc. Also you pay no fee for those forex accounts, so it’s versatile. Plus additional conveniences for managing multiple cards and users. 
9. Complimentary Insurance & Travel Protection: Black includes free multi‑trip international travel insurance when flights are purchased using Black cards, plus free travel insurance cover via Chubb for Black account holders. 
10. Priority Banking & Service + Other Lifestyle Perks: As a premium suite, Black customers benefit from premium service: priority support, better banking experience, help from Discovery Bank for things like medical co‑payments (Health Pay), and preferential partner offers. For those who value service and convenience, this matters. 

Who Can Apply

• Must be a South African citizen or a foreign national with permanent residency, or otherwise meet Discovery Bank’s identification requirements. 
• Must be at least 18 years old. (General banking requirement.) 
• Must meet income / affordability threshold. According to independent sources, the Black Suite requires a fairly high annual income (e.g. in the neighborhood of R850,000 to R2,500,000 per year) though exact values may vary or have changed. 
• Must provide standard documents: ID, proof of residence (utility bill etc.), proof of income (payslips / bank statements), bank statements showing income. 
• Pass affordability / creditworthiness checks. Discovery Bank examines your financial behaviour, debt obligations, Vitality Money status etc. 

How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step

Here are the general steps to apply for the Discovery Bank Black suite / card:

1. Download the Discovery Bank app (if you don’t already have it) or visit their website. 
2. Log in or register (if new), including submitting identity details, proof of residence, etc. 
3. Choose the account type / suite you want: select “Black” Suite / Black account / Black Credit Account. 
4. Fill in the application form with your personal / contact / employment / income / banking info. Provide proof of income, bank statements. 
5. Consent to credit / affordability check. Discovery will verify your financials, credit record etc. 
6. Once approved, you’ll get your physical card (if applicable) and virtual cards; set up any additional features (virtual cards, forex accounts). 
7. Start using the account / card; track rewards (Discovery Miles), make use of the travel, insurance, lounge and partner benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I maximize the Black Card benefits?

To get the most, you’ll want to channel as much of your regular spend as possible through your Black card (especially on the high‑reward categories: healthy groceries, personal care, baby / child essentials, fuel, Uber), use the Vitality Money & Vitality status tools to improve your status, make sure you meet monthly spending thresholds for better lounge / fast‑track access, use the travel / insurance / forex benefits, and use Discovery Miles both to earn and redeem (partner shops, travel, utilities, etc.). Basically, use the benefits frequently so they offset the cost.

• What travel insurance & protections are included?

Black account holders receive multi‑trip international travel insurance when you purchase your flight tickets using your Black card through Discovery Bank. The insurance underwriters differ by tier: for Black (and Purple) cardholders, travel insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance SA. Also, Discovery’s Vitality Travel platform gives access to discounted flights, accommodation & car hire. 

• Can I downgrade from Black if I no longer meet the income / spending or other criteria?

Yes—it’s likely that if you no longer meet the thresholds required for Black (income, monthly spend, usage of features, etc.), Discovery may adjust your account’s benefits or move you to a lower tier (Platinum or Gold). These tiers have different benefit levels, and many benefits (like lounge visits, flight discounts, etc.) are conditional on maintaining thresholds. It’s wise to check the terms and conditions to understand what you need to retain Black status.