Best Capital One Credit Cards

Compare the best Capital One credit cards

About Capital One credit cards

Capital One is the fourth largest credit card issuer in the United States. It offers an array of banking products including checking and savings accounts, auto loans, and more. Capital One markets both prime credit cards for consumers with excellent credit scores as well as credit cards designed for consumers who are new to credit or are rebuilding credit.

Credit score requirements to get approved for a Capital One credit card vary by the individual offer, but most require good credit. To increase your approval chances for the Capital One card you want, pay attention to the credit score required listed under each card name.

Card features:

• Annual fee: $95
• APR range: 20.74% - 28.74% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: N/A.
• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Rewards: Unlimited 2X miles on every $1 on all purchases.
• Other features: $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®; fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime – no blackout dates; transfer your miles to over 15+ travel partners; no foreign transaction fees.

Why the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is good for travel

When you use the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, your rewards will come in the form of miles, which you’ll accumulate through everyday purchases, but can be redeemed for travel.

And if you’re thinking there’s a foreign transaction fee, you’ll be happy to know there isn’t one! This is particularly important for international travel. But you’ll also get the fee credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and no limitations on travel providers. You can also transfer your miles to more than 10 travel partners.

How to use the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

You can use the card the way you would any other rewards card, but the real benefit is in using the rewards toward travel.

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you’re not a frequent traveler, this card may not interest you. It also doesn’t offer a 0% balance transfer benefit, so you may not be interested if you’re looking to transfer high-interest credit card balances. 

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR range: 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
• Sign-up bonus: 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• Rewards: Unlimited 1.25X miles on all purchases.
• Other features: Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime – no blackout dates; transfer your miles to over 15+ travel partners; no foreign transaction fees.

Why the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is good for no annual fee

It’s not just the absence of an annual fee that makes this an outstanding credit card. Like the Capital One Venture Card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is tailored specifically to travelers.

You can earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

You’ll also earn 1.25 miles for all purchase activities with no limitations on airlines or hotels. You can also transfer your miles to more than 15+ travel partners.

How to use the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card 

You can go about your regular purchase activity, then redeem your miles for statement credits toward travel purchases. The more you use your card, the more miles you’ll accumulate. 

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card

If you’re not a traveler, this will not be the card for you. It’s also not a card to have if you prefer less restricted use of your rewards, since the miles redemptions are limited to travel-related purchases.

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR range: 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (3% fee applies to all transfers).
• Sign-up bonus: $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• Rewards: Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases.
• Other features: No annual fee; no foreign transaction fee.

Why the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a strong credit card

It holds many of the strong features of the Savor product but on a reduced earning level AND with no annual fee.

At the same time, you’ll also get an easy to qualify sign-up bonus which makes the card very attractive for those who like spending on dining and entertainment but hate paying an annual fee.

How to use the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

You can transfer your high-interest credit cards to the Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card at any time, but you will be charged a balance transfer fee of 3%. You’ll also want to transfer any balances as soon as you open the card to take advantage of the 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (after that the ongoing rate applies).

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

This is a good all-around credit card, and we can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t consider it. 

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR range: 29.99% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: N/A.
• Sign-up bonus: N/A.
• Rewards: N/A.
• Other features: Reports to all three credit bureaus to improve your credit score through on-time payments; credit limit can be increased after making the first six monthly payments on time; monitor your credit; no annual fee.

Why the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is good for building or rebuilding your credit 

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a no-frills way to build or rebuild an impaired or nonexistent credit history.

While this doesn’t mean poor credit, by making your payments on time, you’ll have the opportunity to improve your score.

How to use the Capital One Platinum Credit Card 

For this card to work, you must commit to making all monthly payments on time. In part, this is so your credit limit might be increased after making the first six payments on time. The longer you go making on-time payments, the higher your credit score will be. The purpose of this card is not to stay with it forever, but rather to improve your credit score so you can qualify for a more generous rewards card later on.

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One Platinum Credit Card

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer any typical benefits, like a sign-up bonus, rewards, or a 0% introductory APR.

If you’re looking to rebuild your credit, and you like to earn cash back rewards, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Card (above) might be a better option for you. 

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR range: 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
• Sign-up bonus: $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• Other features: Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One; no foreign transaction fees.

Why the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is good for unrestricted cash back

What makes the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card the top choice for unrestricted cash back is the simplicity of both earning and redeeming points. First, the sign-up bonus is very easy to qualify for, you can earn $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You’ll then earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no restrictions or categories.

Cash back can be redeemed at any time for any amount. It’s a card that puts you in complete control of your cash back benefits.

How to use the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 

There’s no special way to use this card, since it’s so easy to earn both the sign-up bonus and the rewards. The only recommendation is that the more you spend, the more you’ll earn in rewards. You should use this card as often as possible but plan to pay the balance off in full each month. By avoiding interest charges, you’ll get the full benefit of the rewards. 

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 

You may want to look at a different card if you’d like a more generous sign-up bonus. While the bonus on this card is very easy to qualify for, it’s at the low end of the sign-up bonus range, at just $200. You may also be interested in other cards if you’re looking for higher rewards on specific spending categories or even revolving categories.

Card features:

• Annual fee: $39.
• APR range: 29.99% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: N/A.
• Sign-up bonus: N/A.
• Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• Other features: Credit limit can be increased after making your first six monthly payments on time; monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One; no foreign transaction fees or balance transfer fees.

Why the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is good for impaired credit and cash back

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card will work best for those who have a few delinquencies in their recent past, but no major credit problems, like a recent bankruptcy or foreclosure.

It offers an opportunity to get a cash back credit card that will help you improve your credit so that you can get a more generous rewards credit card later. 

How to use the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

You’ll likely start out with a relatively small credit limit. But it’s important to make all payments on time so that your positive payment history will be reported to all three credit bureaus. Your credit limit may be increased after making your first six monthly payments on time. Apart from that, use the card the way you would any other rewards card, and earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. 

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card won’t be a solution if you have fair or poor credit. It’s mainly for those who have recent delinquencies.   

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR range: 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: N/A.
• Sign-up bonus: Early Spend Bonus: Earn a $50 bonus when you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Rewards: Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, plus 1% on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
• Other features: Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Why the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards is good for students 

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns cardholders the most in the categories where students tend to spend the most: dining and entertainment. And with no foreign transaction fees and travel accident insurance included, it’s a great option for your next spring break trip or study abroad stint.

How to use the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards

To make the most of the 3% cash back offer, be sure to use your Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards on dining, groceries, and entertainment purchases like streaming. And if you’re a sports fan or concert-goer, you can earn even more. Make your entertainment purchases with your SavorOne card through Capital One Entertainment and you’ll score 8% cash back.

Until recently, Capital One didn’t have any welcome offers for new sign-ups to its student credit cards, but that’s now changed. To earn the new bonus offer, earn $50 when you spend $100 in your first three months of account opening.

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards card 

If most of your spending is outside the dining and entertainment categories, you’ll benefit more from Capital One’s other student credit card, the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students (1.5% cash back on all categories).

Card features:

• Annual fee: $0.
• APR range: 29.99% (Variable).
• Introductory APR: N/A.
• Sign-up bonus: N/A.
• Rewards: N/A.
• Other features: Reports, to all three major credit bureaus; $200 initial credit line with a refundable deposit of $49, $99 or $200;a  chance to increase your credit line by either increasing your security deposit, or automatically be considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months; the card will not have “secured” printed on it; no annual fee.

Why the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is good for bad credit

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card helps you to improve your credit scores by reporting your payment history to all three major credit bureaus. As you make your payments on time, your credit scores will rise. Eventually, you’ll be able to apply for unsecured cards with more generous benefits. In the meantime, the card won’t say “secured”, and there’s no annual fee to pay.

How to use the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Plan to make your monthly payments on time each and every month. That’s how you’ll get a boost in your credit score. But you’ll also have your credit limit reviewed automatically in as little as six months. You can also increase your credit limit by adding to your security deposit.

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an outstanding card for consumers with bad credit. But if you have average credit, you may be better served with the Capital One QuicksilverOne Card, which offers cash back rewards and doesn’t require a security deposit (see description above).

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Card features:

• Annual fee: $95
• APR range: See partner website*
• Introductory APR: N/A.
• Sign-up bonus: $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 in purchases within three months of opening your account.
• Rewards: Unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, plus 3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), and 1% on all other purchases.
• Other features: Rewards don’t expire, and can be redeemed for any amount; no foreign transaction fees.

Why the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is good for general rewards 

What makes the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card stand out as a general rewards card is that it offers enhanced cash back on spending categories you are likely to take advantage of.

As well, rewards can be redeemed for any amount – there’s no need to wait until you reach a certain threshold. This is one of the simplest rewards cards in the entire credit card industry (note that you do need good credit to apply).

How to use the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card 

You’ll obviously want to favor dining and entertainment purchases since they’ll fetch 4% cash back. And you’ll probably have no difficulty whatsoever taking advantage of grocery purchases, with 3% cash back. Otherwise, you can use the card for all other purchases, and earn unlimited 1%. 

Why you might not want to consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you’re looking for a 0% introductory APR balance transfer card, Capital One is not your issuer.  They currently aren’t offering any intro APRs on their Savor and Venture products.

If you have high-interest credit cards you want to transfer, you’re best served to look elsewhere.

Disclaimer – The information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by MoneyUnder30.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

How we came up with this list

Capital One credit cards offer a lot of benefits within the group. In determining which card was best for each category, we considered the following criteria:

• Annual fee.
• Other fees (balance transfer, foreign transactions, etc.) 
• APR range.
• 0% introductory APR offer.
• Sign-up bonus (how much and the requirements for qualification.)
• Rewards.
• Rewards restrictions or enhancements.
• Specific travel perks.
• Credit requirements, especially for average, impaired, or bad credit.
• Suitability for students.
• Business credit card perks. 

Most cards offer several of the above features but at different levels. We made our “best for” recommendations based on the area where each card stood out as being at least slightly better than the others. 

How to determine which Capital One Credit Card will be the best credit card for you

Since Capital One offers so many credit cards, it can be difficult to decide which Capital One credit card will work best for you. But start by determining the top two or three factors that mean the most to you.

Get a cash back card if you want the highest rewards

For example, if you’re most interested in rewards, choose a card that offers the most generous cash back, points, or miles – particularly if they can be earned with unrestricted purchases.

However, if you do have certain spending categories you favor, you may want to lean toward a card that pays the most generous rewards in that particular category.

Capital One has plenty of credit-building cards

Naturally, if you have impaired or bad credit, you’ll only be able to apply for the cards that are available in those categories. And Capital One offers three cards that provide you with the ability to improve your credit, so that you’ll be able to go on to apply for more generous cards later.

For example, they report to all three major credit bureaus, allow you to increase your credit limit after making the first six payments on time, and may not require an annual fee.

Don’t get sucked in by a sign-up bonus

But when it comes to benefits like a sign-up bonus or a 0% introductory APR, be careful not to give these perks too much weight. After all, they’re temporary!

A solid strategy is to choose a card that offers one or both benefits, but also generous ongoing rewards and other benefits that will best match your spending patterns.

Summary 

There are a lot of credit cards to sort through on this list! That’s why we’ve provided the table below to summarize the basic features of all the best Capital One credit cards:

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Read more:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Card Review – Double Miles On Every Purchase
• Unique Benefits Offered By Capital One Credit Cards