Whether you’re traveling or rebuilding your credit, this bank offers over a dozen cards in multiple categories.
You may have seen a few Capital One commercials on TV, only to be left wondering whether the bank’s cards were actually any good.
Luckily, Capital One has a strong collection of cards, and it may well be your next favorite provider. You’ll find products with great rewards, as well as robust student and secured cards.
Compare Capital One credit cards
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Best Capital One credit cards
Capital One offers over a dozen cards, including cashback, travel, secured and student products. Here are the top cards you can choose from.
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- Venture® from Capital One®: Best for travel
- Quicksilver® from Capital One®: Best for cash back
- Journey® Student Credit Card from Capital One®: Best for students
- Secured Mastercard® from Capital One®: Best for rebuilding credit
- Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business or Spark® Miles for Business: Best for businesses
Best for travel: Venture® from Capital One®
Venture® from Capital One®
The Venture® from Capital One® is a great travel card, even going toe to toe with the best-in-class Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®. You’ll earn a strong 2x miles on every purchase, which means you won’t have to fuss with tiered rewards.
You’ll also find a no-annual-fee option — the VentureOne® from Capital One®. It’s a good card, but it’s slightly outclassed by competitors like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card and Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card.
Best for cash back: Quicksilver® from Capital One®
Quicksilver® from Capital One®
Capital One offers a great cashback card with Quicksilver® from Capital One®. You’ll earn a simple 1.5% cash back on all purchases. You’ll also get a strong intro APR and a shot at a healthy signup bonus.
If you’re a foodie, look into the Savor® from Capital One®, which offers excellent cash back on dining.
Best for students: Journey® Student Credit Card from Capital One®
Journey® Student Credit Card from Capital One®
If you’re a student, it’s hard to go wrong with the Journey® Student Credit Card from Capital One®. You’ll pay no annual fee, and you’ll earn cash back on all purchases. When you pay your card bill on time, you’ll earn cash back on the rewards you earned for that billing period.
Student cards aren’t known for their high credit limits, but luckily Capital One may raise your limit if you meet certain requirements. It’s a nice bonus that rewards responsible card use.
Best for rebuilding credit: Secured Mastercard® from Capital One®
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One®
The Secured Mastercard® from Capital One® doesn’t offer rewards like the fantastic Discover it® Secured Credit Card does. But the Secured Mastercard® from Capital One® is a great option for different reasons. You may get a $200 credit line without having to put down a security deposit of the same amount. Additionally, if you make enough qualifying monthly payments, Capital One will raise your credit limit. These two benefits create a top-tier secured product.
Best for businesses: Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business or Spark® Miles for Business (tie)
Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business
Spark® Miles for Business
If you’re a business owner with excellent credit, Capital One has great options for you. For cash back, look into the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business. For travel rewards, try the Spark® Miles for Business. Both are impressive cards that offer strong flat rewards.
If you don’t want to pay an annual fee, you’re in luck: The Spark® Cash Select for Business and Spark® Miles Select for Business offer solid rewards without the yearly cost.
Capital One rewards program
Capital One rewards cards offer either cash back or miles.
If you earn cash back, you can redeem it for rewards that include:
- Statement credit.
- Cash rewards in the form of a check.
- Gift cards.
If you earn miles, you can redeem them for rewards that include:
- Statement credit for travel purchases.
- Cash rewards in the form of a check.
- Account credit.
- Gift cards.
How can you redeem rewards?
To redeem rewards, log in to your credit card account on the Capital One website. Then navigate to the Redeem Rewards page.
How much are rewards worth?
Capital One miles are worth 1 cent apiece, which is standard across the industry.
Typical features and benefits of a Capital One card
- No annual fee or first-year fee waived. Capital One’s cards are split between no-annual-fee products and cards that have a $95 annual fee that’s waived for the first year.
- Rewards. Choose between cards that offer either cash back or miles. The student card offers rewards, but the secured card doesn’t.
- No foreign transaction fees. You might be surprised to find no foreign transaction fees for certain cards. For example, the Quicksilver® from Capital One® charges no foreign transaction fees, while similar cards usually do.
- Signup bonus. Capital One signup bonuses generally have relatively low spending requirements.
- Ongoing APRs between 13% and 24% variable. Before applying for a Capital One card, look closely at its purchase and balance transfer APRs. Interest rates vary widely between this provider’s products.
- Excellent credit required for some cards. Many providers accept cardholders with good credit. For several of its cards, Capital One recommends applying with excellent credit.
How to apply for a Capital One card
Visit the Capital One website and click Apply Now on the credit card page. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the required information on hand.
Eligibility criteria
- You’re at least 18 years old.
- You have a Social Security number or tax identification number.
- You live in the United States or a US military location.
- Your monthly income exceeds your monthly rent or mortgage payment by at least $425.
Information you’ll need
To complete the application, you’ll need to provide information that includes:
- Your name and residential address.
- Your Social Security number.
- Your email address, phone number and date of birth.
- Financial information like your annual income and income source.
How does Capital One keep my credit card information secure?
Capital One encrypts your data with 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL), which hides your information from unauthorized third parties. When you’re on the Capital One website, you’ll see a lock symbol next to your browser’s address bar. This indicates you have a secure connection with the provider’s website.
If you like viewing your credit card account on your mobile phone, you can use Capital One’s SureSwipe feature to log in. Instead of typing a password, you can draw a custom pattern.
Capital One will send you email or text alerts if it detects unusual transactions. And through the Capital One Wallet app, you can opt to receive real-time notifications when your card is used.
Bottom line
Capital One has an impressive stable of cards, including annual-fee and no-annual-fee options. Whether you’re looking to rebuild your credit, earn flat cash back or rack up travel rewards, it likely has a card to fit your unique situation.
If you’re not sure whether a Capital One product is right for you, check out other credit card providers to compare more options.
