Capital One credit cards: Which one is best?

The best Capital One credit cards

The best Capital One credit cards offer the biggest rewards or most travel perks for your specific financial and travel needs. Finder’s credit card experts reviewed all Capital One cards and compared them against one another based on several card details, including their value versus their annual fee, range of reward categories, travel perks and APRs.

We’ve ranked the best Capital One credit cards based on our comparisons to help you make the right choice for your financial needs.

Best for luxury travel

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

9.2 Excellent

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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is Capital One's first luxury travel card and offers all of the perks you'd expect from a card with an annual fee of $395. In fact, the perks it offers are comparable to luxury cards that cost even more than $400 and you can earn a robust 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

Welcome Offer	75,000 miles
Rewards	Up to 10 x miles
Annual fee	$395
Minimum credit score	740

• Why we like it

  The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is Capital One's first luxury travel card and offers all of the perks you'd expect from a card with an annual fee of $395. In fact, the perks it offers are comparable to luxury cards that cost even more than $400 and you can earn a robust 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Welcome offer. Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening.
  • Earn miles. Earn 10X miles on hotel and car rental purchases made through Capital One travel, 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases. You can redeem these miles through Capital One and even transfer them to travel partners.
  • Numerous credits. You'll receive up to $300 back in statement credits each year when you book through Capital One Travel and 10,000 miles each card account anniversary starting on your first anniversary. These two perks alone pay for the cost of the card.

  Cons

  • Not all travel partners transfer at 1:1 ratios. Most, but not all, of Capital One's travel partners allow for 1:1 transferring of your miles.
  • No intro APR. You won't find an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers with this luxury card.

• More details

  Annual fee	$395
  Purchase APR	19.99% - 29.24% variable
  Balance transfer APR	19.99% - 29.24% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
  Welcome Offer	75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening
  Rewards	Up to 10x miles

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	75,000 miles
Rewards	Up to 10 x miles
Annual fee	$395
Minimum credit score	740

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Best for students

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card completely usurps the old Capital One Journey by offering a flat 1.5% back on all purchases right off the bat — no muss, no fuss.

Welcome Offer	$50
Rewards	Up to 5 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	New / limited credit

• Why we like it

  The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card completely usurps the old Capital One Journey by offering a flat 1.5% back on all purchases right off the bat — no muss, no fuss.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No annual fee. You won't need to pay an annual fee to use this card.
  • Cash back. Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
  • Open to fair credit. Despite being superior to the old Journey card, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card still only requires a fair credit score.

  Cons

  • No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	19.24% to 29.24% variable
  Balance transfer APR	19.24% to 29.24% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
  Welcome Offer	Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  Rewards	Up to 5% cash back

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	$50
Rewards	Up to 5 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	New / limited credit

Best for everyday student purchases

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

This student card is essentially the standard Savor but designed for students. It offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores), which is terrific value for a student card.

Welcome Offer	$50
Rewards	Up to 8 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	New / limited credit

• Why we like it

  This student card is essentially the standard Savor but designed for students. It offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores), which is terrific value for a student card.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No annual fee. You won't need to pay an annual fee to use this card.
  • Cash back. Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and eligible grocery stores and 1% back on other purchases.
  • Open to fair credit. You can qualify for this student card with just fair credit.

  Cons

  • No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	19.24% - 29.24% variable
  Balance transfer APR	19.24% to 29.24% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
  Welcome Offer	Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  Rewards	Up to 8% cash back

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	$50
Rewards	Up to 8 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	New / limited credit

Best cashback card for fair credit

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

8.6 Great

Read review

If your credit score doesn't allow you to get the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can opt-in for its sibling card, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. You'll earn the same cashback rate on all purchases, but you'll also pay an annual fee with this card.

Welcome Offer	n/a
Rewards	Up to 5 % cash back
Annual fee	$39
Minimum credit score	580

• Why we like it

  If your credit score doesn't allow you to get the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can opt-in for its sibling card, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. You'll earn the same cashback rate on all purchases, but you'll also pay an annual fee with this card.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Cash back. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
  • Access to higher credit limits. Capital One may consider increasing your credit limit in as little as six months.
  • No foreign transaction fees. Freely use this card abroad and you won't pay any foreign transaction fees.

  Cons

  • Annual fee. You'll pay a $39 annual fee for this card.
  • No sign up bonus. You don't get to earn a bonus when you sign up for this card.

• More details

  Annual fee	$39
  Purchase APR	29.74% variable
  Balance transfer APR	29.74% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate ($0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	Up to 5% cash back

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	n/a
Rewards	Up to 5 % cash back
Annual fee	$39
Minimum credit score	580

Read review

Best no-annual-fee card for fair credit

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

9 Excellent

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a credit card as straightforward as they come: It offers no rewards, no signup bonus, and carries an above-average variable APR. That said, the card only requires a fair credit score. What's more, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn't charge an annual fee, unlike the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards, which charges $39 annually. This makes it a more forgiving card if you need to build your credit.

Welcome Offer	n/a
Rewards	None
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	580

• Why we like it

  The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a credit card as straightforward as they come: It offers no rewards, no signup bonus, and carries an above-average variable APR. That said, the card only requires a fair credit score. What's more, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card doesn't charge an annual fee, unlike the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards, which charges $39 annually. This makes it a more forgiving card if you need to build your credit.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
  • No security deposit. The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a credit-building card, but you won't need to pony up for a security deposit like you would with a secured card.
  • Chance at a higher credit line. Capital One may increase your credit limit after 6 months of responsible card use.

  Cons

  • High APR. This card carries a higher than average purchase APR of 29.74% variable. This makes the card a poor choice for carrying a balance.
  • No rewards. You won't earn any rewards on your purchases with this card.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	29.74% variable
  Balance transfer APR	29.74% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	None

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	n/a
Rewards	None
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	580

Best for rebuilding credit

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

8.8 Great

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn't offer rewards, but it is a great Capital One card for building credit. Depending on your credit score, you may get a $200 credit line with a security deposit as low as $49.

Minimum deposit required	$49, $99 or $200
Purchase APR	29.74% variable
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	New / limited credit

• Why we like it

  The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn't offer rewards, but it is a great Capital One card for building credit. Depending on your credit score, you may get a $200 credit line with a security deposit as low as $49.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No annual fee. This is one of the rare secured cards that has no annual fee.
  • Low security deposit. Deposit either $49, $99 or $200 based on your creditworthiness and you may receive a $200 credit line without having to put down a security deposit of the same amount.
  • Chance at a higher credit line. You'll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months after opening the card.

  Cons

  • Secured deposit required. You must make a secured deposit to use the card.
  • No rewards. You won't earn any rewards on your purchases with this card.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	29.74% variable
  Balance transfer APR	29.74% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	None

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Minimum deposit required	$49, $99 or $200
Purchase APR	29.74% variable
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	New / limited credit

Best for entry-level travel

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

8.8 Great

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great travel card for those who like simplicity in earning and redeeming rewards. You’ll earn a strong 2x miles on every purchase, which means you won’t have to fuss with tiered rewards. The card also offers a strong signup bonus for the card's price, along with a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit every four years.

Welcome Offer	75,000 miles
Rewards	Up to 5 x miles
Annual fee	$95
Minimum credit score	670

• Why we like it

  The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great travel card for those who like simplicity in earning and redeeming rewards. You’ll earn a strong 2x miles on every purchase, which means you won’t have to fuss with tiered rewards. The card also offers a strong signup bonus for the card's price, along with a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit every four years.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Reward miles. Earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases. Also earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit. Get up to $120 statement credit when you use your card to pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

  Cons

  • Annual fee. You'll pay a $95 annual fee for this card.
  • No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases with this card.

• More details

  Annual fee	$95
  Purchase APR	19.99% - 29.24% variable
  Balance transfer APR	19.99% - 29.24% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
  Welcome Offer	In your first cardholder year, enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel, plus earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $1,000 in travel
  Rewards	Up to 5x miles

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	75,000 miles
Rewards	Up to 5 x miles
Annual fee	$95
Minimum credit score	670

Best for cash back

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

8.4 Great

Read review

Capital One offers a great cashback card with Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. You’ll earn a simple 1.5% cash back on all purchases. You’ll also get low intro rates and a shot at a healthy signup bonus.

Welcome Offer	$200
Rewards	Up to 1.5 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	670

• Why we like it

  Capital One offers a great cashback card with Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. You’ll earn a simple 1.5% cash back on all purchases. You’ll also get low intro rates and a shot at a healthy signup bonus.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 within the first 3 months after opening your account.
  • Cash back. Earn flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Intro APR periods. Get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening. After that, your APR will be 19.24% to 29.24% variable. You’ll pay a balance transfer fee of 3% on balance transfers performed in the first 15 months, or 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time.

  Cons

  • Potentially high APR. Look out for the ongoing APR on purchases and balance transfers after the intro APR periods expire.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% - 29.24% variable)
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% to 29.24% variable) Balance transfer fee applies (3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)
  Welcome Offer	$200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
  Rewards	Up to 1.5% cash back

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	$200
Rewards	Up to 1.5 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	670

Read review

Best for dining and entertainment

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

9 Excellent

If you mostly spend on dining and entertainment but still don't want to pay an annual fee, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card could be a solid choice.

Welcome Offer	$200
Rewards	Up to 8 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	670

• Why we like it

  If you mostly spend on dining and entertainment but still don't want to pay an annual fee, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card could be a solid choice.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Annual fee. None.
  • APR. 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a normal purchase and balance transfer APR of 19.24% to 29.24% variable. You’ll pay a balance transfer fee of 3% on balance transfers performed in the first 15 months, or 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time.
  • 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. 3% cash back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 3% cash back on popular streaming services and entertainment, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Welcome offer. $200 cash bonus after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

  Cons

  • Potentially high ongoing APR. Your APR mostly depends on your creditworthiness. Avoid paying the high interest by paying your balance when due.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% to 29.24% variable)
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% to 29.24% variable) Balance transfer fee applies (3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)
  Welcome Offer	Earn a $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  Rewards	Up to 8% cash back

• Partner terms and conditions

  Content accurate at the time of publication. Check the issuer’s site for most up to date information.

Welcome Offer	$200
Rewards	Up to 8 % cash back
Annual fee	$0
Minimum credit score	670

How do I get prequalified for a Capital One credit card?

Capital One offers an online prequalification process that lets you see customized card offers within 60 seconds. This doesn’t mean you are approved for a credit card, nor that you have applied for one. It only means you have high chances of approval for select credit cards.

The process is done with a soft pull on your credit, which has no impact on your credit score. But after you apply for a card you’re prequalified for, Capital One will do a hard pull on your credit. Keep in mind, even if you prequalify for a certain card, it doesn’t guarantee approval.

1. Go to the Capital One prequalification page.
2. Complete the prequalification form with your name, date of birth, Social Security number and residential address, employment status and annual income.
3. Review your application and click See if I’m preapproved.

Note: Capital One calls the process pre-approval.

What are the benefits of a Capital One prequalification?

• Better chances of approval. You can see cards that fit your credit profile, though nothing is guaranteed.
• You can still shop around. There’s no obligation to apply. Feel free to get prequalified with other banks.
• Your credit score won’t be affected. Keeping your credit score intact could increase your odds when you apply for a card.

Capital One credit card application instructions

1. Visit the Capital One website.
2. Navigate to the credit cards section and pick the card you want.
3. Choose Apply now.
4. Complete the application with details such as your full name, contact information, employment status and total annual income.
5. Review your information and submit your application.

Application restrictions

For applications, Capital One is more restrictive than other issuers. If you’re approved for a card — personal or business — you must wait six months before you can be approved for another. Apply to prequalify for a Capital One card. Then you’ll see the cards where you’ll have the best chance of getting approved.

You may also want to wait if you’ve recently applied for a card from a different provider. According to reports, Capital One has been known to deny applications if you’ve recently applied for credit.

How many Capital One cards can I have?

You may have a maximum of two personal Capital One cards. This typically doesn’t include cobranded cards, though this isn’t set in stone based on reports from some cardholders.

How is my Capital One credit limit determined?

You’ll find that each credit card provider has its own criteria to determine the amount of credit line you will receive. This often includes:

• Annual income.
  Get a higher credit limit with a higher annual income.
• Employment.
  Having a steady job proves you are responsible and you have a steady income to pay off your debt.
• Creditworthiness.
  Clean credit history and a high credit score pave the way for a higher credit line.
• Relationship with Capital One.
  Loyal customers may get rewarded with a higher credit limit.

How can I find out my Capital One credit limit?

Log in to your online Capital One credit card account and find your credit limit in your account summary. Alternatively, look for the specific amount in your credit card statement.

How to increase my Capital One credit limit

Once you are eligible for a credit limit increase, you have four options:

1. Submit your request online
2. Call the bank
3. Get an automatic credit limit increase
4. Apply for another card

Types of Capital One cards

Capital One is best known for its dining and entertainment credit card offerings, as well as its powerful travel rewards cards. In fact, you might consider Capital One as slightly under Chase and Amex when it comes to travel and rewards power. On top of that, it also offers good choices if your credit is less than perfect, something not offered by its two big-name competitors.

Here are a few more types of cards you’ll find with this provider.

• Balance transfer cards. While Capital One traditionally offers several balance transfer cards, their APR offers tend to come and go. You’ll also encounter balance transfer fees with several of these cards.
• No annual fee cards. There are a variety of no-annual-fee card options from Capital One, including several strong reward options like the VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
• Business cards. Capital One’s Spark lineup focuses on rewards. In fact, even their business offering for fair credit offers cash back on purchases.
• No foreign transaction fee cards. Surprisingly, not a single Capital One credit card charges a foreign transaction fee, so you have your pick of the lot.

How to compare Capital One credit cards with no annual fee

Capital One offers a variety of no-annual-fee credit cards, including cashback cards, credit-building cards and a travel card. In fact, Capital One cards are cheaper on average compared to providers like Chase or Amex, with the most expensive Capital One cards topping out at around $95 annually. However, there’s still plenty of power packed into Capital One cards.

Comparing Capital One cards with no annual fee is straightforward given the range of cards available under the Capital One umbrella. Here are the main features to look at.

• Rewards. Any opportunity to earn rewards on a purchase without paying an annual fee is pure value.
• Intro APR. A few Capital One cards offer low intro rates on purchases and balance transfers.
• APR. If you plan on carrying a balance, you’ll want as low an ongoing APR as possible.

Standout benefits of Capital One cards

• Dining and entertainment rewards. Capital One possesses one of the strongest cashback rewards cards on the market for dining and entertainment in the Capital One Savor Rewards.
• Small but mighty travel card lineup. If you like simplicity with your travel reward cards, the Venture Rewards cards are excellent choices. Their earning rates are comparable to Chase and Amex offerings without the same complexity of juggling points across cards. And similar to these competitors, the Venture cards earn rewards on many types of travel purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees on a majority of cards. Capital One charges no foreign transaction fees, even for nontravel cards. You might be surprised to find no foreign transaction fees for specific cards. For example, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card charges no foreign transaction fees, while similar cards usually do.
• Easy-to-obtain signup bonus. Capital One signup bonuses generally have relatively low spending requirements for the value of the bonus.
• Combine cards. Capital One used to allow you to combine two of their cards into one account. This was helpful, as Capital One only allows you to have two credit cards maximum. As of March 2021, this feature has been discontinued, though Capital One claims this is only temporary, so keep an eye out for this feature to return.

Bottom line

Capital One has an impressive stable of simple and powerful rewards cards. But if you’re looking to dive into a more complex rewards program with the potential for bigger rewards, American Express and Chase both have some great options.

If you’re not sure whether a Capital One product is right for you, check out leading credit card providers to compare more options.

Finder Scores: What they mean

If you want peace of mind, this rating will give it to you. These products offer the best value and outcomes considering various product features, terms, conditions and price.

Well-balanced products that provide what you need, offering a healthy mix of competitive features at a good price. However, they're not quite the best in class.

Bottom line: You can find better, but these products still offer reasonable value and have the basics sorted.

These products may not offer much value in the long run, and there are better options available.