Capital One Credit Cards Mobile App Review

Capital One's mobile app does everything you'd expect from a credit card app. You can view your transactions, check your balance, make payments and track rewards. It also allows you to review your payment history and see account statements.

What you can’t do is use it to connect with a customer service agent. There's no in-app messaging option, so you’ll have to make a call if you have a question or request related to your account. Here’s how to make the most of the app when managing your account.

» MORE: See NerdWallet’s best Capital One credit cards

Features

Some features that can simplify managing your Capital One credit card include:

Login and security

Visit your profile tab to select secure ways to log in. You can access your account with a password, facial recognition, a fingerprint or a pattern. You can also set up alerts to monitor your available credit, existing balance, transactions and bill payments.

The CreditWise tool, embedded in the app, can also provide notifications if your Social Security number is used to apply for credit or if your personal information is being illegally bought or sold on the dark web.

You can easily lock your credit card with one click in the app if it's lost or stolen. When you lock the card, Capital One declines new charges. Some transactions like automatic recurring payments, returns, credits and rewards redemptions may continue.

Credit score monitoring

The CreditWise tool also lets you access your credit score directly from the home screen. You’ll get alerts from Experian and TransUnion about important changes to your credit reports.

Rewards, redemptions and benefits

By clicking on your card balance from the home screen, you can see your rewards balance. Click on it to see your redemption options, activity and credit card’s benefits. You can redeem rewards directly in the app if you choose.

If you have other accounts with Capital One, such as checking or savings, they'll be shown on the home screen. You can use the app to make deposits, move money between accounts or find a no-fee ATM.

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Time-saving features

Here are some quick functions you can use in the Capital One app to save time:

• Use a virtual credit card number. You can use a virtual credit card number to keep online purchases secure. You can access your number through the home screen, but first you’ll have to go through a two-step verification process to verify your identity.

• Replace a damaged card or report one missing. With a few clicks, you can request a new card or report a lost one directly from the home screen.

• Activate a new credit card. From your profile tab, you can activate a new credit card. There's no need to use your computer.

• Request a credit limit increase. You can request a credit limit increase through the app. Some other credit card issuers require you to call in to make this type of request.

• Get real-time balances. Under your profile tab, you can switch on the Quick Balances Widget to get real-time balances in the Widget Center without having to log in.

• Find a branch or ATM. If you need to access a branch or ATM, you can find one through the app’s home screen.

» MORE: Card lock: What it does, who offers it, how to use it

Capital One Offers

Capital One Offers can easily be accessed through your credit card’s home screen. This section features rebates you can get for using the card to shop at certain merchants. However, when you click offers, you’ll be taken out of the app to a browser tab.

Mobile wallet compatibility

Through your profile tab, you can easily link a Capital One credit card, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, to Apple Wallet or PayPal. These services allow you to check out securely at a register or online without a physical credit card or your card’s information.

Drawbacks

The Capital One mobile app isn't equipped with an in-app customer service messaging option. If you need to talk to a human, you’ll have to make a call.

The app also doesn’t have any payment planning options like American Express' Pay It Plan It® or the My Chase Plan feature.

Desktop vs. mobile

The mobile app doesn’t stray too far from the experience of managing your account from a desktop computer. One function that you can’t perform on mobile, though, is changing your account username, password, email or address. You’ll have to visit the desktop site to make those changes.

Ratings

Ranked No. 5 out of 11 major credit card issuers — J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Credit Card Mobile App Satisfaction Study.

4.8/5 — Apple's App Store (rating as of March 2021).