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Up to 1.25%
Cash back
$0
Annual fee
26.99%
Purchase APR (variable)
580
Recommended credit score
| Product Name | Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® |
|---|---|
| Card type | Visa |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer fee | None |
| Cash advance rate | 26.99% variable |
| Cash advance fee | $10 or 3% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Interest free period | Up to 25 days |
| Late payment fee | Up to $39 |
| Additional cardholder fee | $0 |
| Rates & fees | rates & fees |
Review by
Kliment Dukovski is a credit cards writer. He's written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best credit cards. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
The Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® could be a solid choice for students as it has a $0 annual fee, up to 1.25% cash back on all purchases and 0% foreign transaction fees, which could save you money if you often travel abroad.
Capital One also reports your credit activity to all three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, and you get access to your VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion to monitor your credit-building progress. Once you make five monthly payments on time, Capital One may increase your credit limit.
But as student credit cards go, the Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® comes with a slightly higher APR of 26.99% variable and no signup bonus. This is a small price to pay to get initiated into the financial world.
Earn 1% back on everything you buy. Plus, if you pay your balance off before it’s due it will boost your cash back to 1.25% for the current month.
You won’t pay anything to own the card.
Once you make five monthly payments on time, Capital One may increase your credit line.
Suppose you spend $12,000 annually with this card. You could earn $120 with the regular cashback rate. Pay your balance on time, and you could boost your cash back to $150.
If you’re traveling abroad on a student exchange program or if you travel for fun, you’ll avoid paying foreign transaction fees that come with other cards.
You’ll only pay fees if you make a late payment. With other cards, you have to worry about a penalty APR of up to 31% that can last indefinitely if you only make a single late payment.
Access your credit score at any time for free to keep your financial future on track.
Get $0 fraud liability for unauthorized purchases if your card is ever lost or stolen.
Get travel accident insurance, and if your card is lost get an emergency replacement card. Also get rental car coverage against damage, theft and more.
The card comes with a variable APR of 26.99%. Aim to pay off your card balance each month to avoid paying the interest.
The minimum credit line you can get is $300. However, Capital One may reward you with a credit line increase or upgrade your card if you pay your balances on time.
However, if you want more flexibility with your credit line, consider taking a secured card and deposit the amount you want your credit line to be.
You won’t get any bonus in the first months of card membership. With other cards, you can get up to a $500 bonus once you meet certain spending criteria.
If you’re looking for an intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, look for another card.
To apply for the card, you must be at least 18 years old and a US citizen or permanent US resident.
You’ll need to submit personal and financial information that includes:
During the application you may choose to receive payment alerts, and can opt to receive further communications in Spanish if it’s your preferred language.
Apply with a fair credit score of 580 or higher, or with no credit history if you’re a student. Applying with a better credit score will likely get you a lower APR and a higher credit limit.
Learn how to successfully apply for a student card.
Customers who are happy with the card claim they were instantly approved with no credit history. And most customers claim they quickly built their credit with timely payments. The only complaint some of the customers have is the high APR.
The Better Business Bureau rates Capital One with an A+.
Thanks to its automated preapproval system, Capital One can instantly decide on your application. But in some cases, it may take up to 10 business days.
Once you’re approved, your card, your credit line and your welcome materials will arrive in the mail within seven to 10 business days.
Redeem your cash back through your online Capital One account or call the rewards center. Request your reward in the form of:
If you have a preferred method of claiming your cash back, set up your automatic preference for either a specific time each year or when a specific threshold — of $25, $50, $100 or $200 — has been reached.
If you’re a student and you don’t have any credit history or are trying to rebuild your credit, this could be a decent card for you. You’ll be able to build your credit score and earn cash back without paying an annual fee.
If you’re uncertain whether this is an appropriate card for you, check out other student cards or cards for building credit to find the right one for your needs.