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Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® review
Get up to 1.25% cash back with this no-annual-fee card designed for students.
finder.com’s rating: 3.9 / 5
★★★★★
- Get this card if you’re looking to build your credit and earn cash back.
- Pick something else if you want higher cash back or an intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases.
- Apply with a fair credit score of 580 or higher, or with no credit history.
$60
Welcome offer
Up to 1.25%
Cash back
$0
Annual fee
26.99%
Purchase APR (variable)
Details
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Welcome Offer | $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming subscriptions when you pay on time for up to $60 total credit |
| Rewards | 1% cash back on all purchases, 1.25% for months you pay on time |
| Purchase APR | 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 26.99% variable |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 580 |
| Issuer | Visa |
Review by
Kliment Dukovski
kliment.dukovski@findercrew.comKliment Dukovski is a credit cards and investments 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.
Expert review
The Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® is a straightforward student card with a few additional niceties not often found on other student cards. It comes with 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.
The card also comes with a monthly $5 streaming credit per month for 12 months, which can come in handy when you’re binging Netflix and studying for your next mid-term. More importantly, 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. And once you make five monthly payments on time, Capital One may increase your credit limit.
One small misstep is the card’s APR. As student credit cards go, the Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® comes with a slightly higher APR of 26.99% variable, which makes this a subpar card for carrying a balance. But this is hardly an issue provided you’re using this card appropriately and paying off your balance at the end of each month.
How to apply for the Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One®
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, credit line and welcome materials will arrive in the mail within seven to 10 business days.
- Go to the provider's site and click Apply now.
What should I know before I apply?
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:
- Your full name and contact information.
- Date of birth and Social Security number.
- Financial and employment information.
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.
Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® benefits
- Cash back. 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. For some example earnings, 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.
- No annual fee. You won’t pay anything to own the card.
- Access to higher credit line. Once you make five monthly payments on time, Capital One may increase your credit line.
- Streaming subscription credit. Earn $5 per month for 12 months toward select streaming services when you pay your credit card balance on time.
- No foreign transaction fees. 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.
- No penalty APR. 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.
- CreditWise. Access your credit score at any time for free to keep your financial future on track.
- Fraud coverage. Get $0 fraud liability for unauthorized purchases if your card is ever lost or stolen.
- Visa benefits. 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.
Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® drawbacks
- High APR. The card comes with a variable APR of 26.99%. Aim to pay off your card balance each month to avoid paying the interest.
- Low minimum credit line. 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.
- No signup bonus. You won’t get a traditional signup bonus in the first months of card membership. While you can earn up to $60 in statement credits on streaming purchases in your first year, with other cards you can get up to a $500 bonus once you meet certain spending criteria.
- No intro APR period. If you’re looking for an intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, look for another card.
Compare student credit cards
For a better idea of how the Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® compares to other secured cards on the market, select up to four cards and click Compare to view their features side-by-side.
Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® reviews and complaints
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.
As of December 2020, the Better Business Bureau rates Capital One with an A.
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How do I redeem rewards?
Redeem your cash back through your online Capital One account or call the rewards center. Request your reward in the form of:
- Statement credit
- Checks
- Credit for previous purchases
- Gift cards
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. Visit our guide to learn more about how the Capital One rewards program works.
Bottom line
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.
Frequently asked questions
What are eligible streaming subscription services?
Eligible subscription services include Amazon Music Unlimited, AT&T Now, Audible , CBS All Access, Disney+, ESPN+, Fubo TV, HBO Now, Hulu, iHeartRadio, Kindle Unlimited, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, Netflix, NHL.TV, Pandora, Prime Video, Sling TV, SiriusXM Streaming and Satellite, Spotify, YouTube Music Premium, YouTube Premium, Google Play Music and Youtube TV.
Is there a limit to the amount of cash back I can earn?
No, there’s no limit to how much you can earn with your spending.
Can I redeem my cash back for something other than cash?
Yes, use your cashback points toward gift cards or charitable donations.
Compare Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® with other cards
Credit card ratings
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