Best Capital One Credit Cards of February 2023
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Capital One's credit cards include some of the best-known products on the market, thanks to the company's celebrity spokespeople and its ubiquitous catchphrase, "What's in your wallet?" But the issuer's cards are more than hype — they include generous rewards cards as well as excellent products for business owners, students and those with average or poor credit. What won't you find on any Capital One card? Foreign transaction fees.
Capital One's credit cards include some of the best-known products on the market, thanks to the company's celebrity spokespeople and its ubiquitous catchphrase, "What's in your wallet?" But the issuer's cards are more than hype — they include generous rewards cards as well as excellent products for business owners, students and those with average or poor credit. What won't you find on any Capital One card? Foreign transaction fees.
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Best Capital One Credit Cards
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Travel: Simple rewards | $95 | 2x- Miles | 75,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Travel: Simple rewards + no annual fee | $0 | 1.25x- Miles | 20,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Travel: Rich benefits for travel portal users | $395 | 2x- Miles | 75,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Cash back: Simple rewards | $0 | 1.5%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | Best for Cash back: Dining, groceries, entertainment | $95 | 1%- Cashback | $300 | Read review |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Cash back: Dining, groceries, entertainment + no annual fee | $0 | 1%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for College students: Bonus cash-back rewards | $0 | 1%- Cashback | $50 | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for College students: Simple cash-back rewards | $0 | 1.5%- Cashback | $50 | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for College students: Unique incentives | $0 | 1%- Cashback | N/A | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Platinum Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Fair credit: No annual fee | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Fair credit: Cash back rewards | $39 | 1.5%- Cashback | N/A | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Poor credit: Flexible deposit | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Poor credit: Cash back rewards | $0 | 1.5%- Cashback | N/A | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Small business: Cash back | $150 | 2%- Cashback | $1,000 | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Small business: Cash back + no annual fee | $0 | 1.5%- Cashback | $500 | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Capital One Spark Miles for Business Apply now on Capital One's website | Best for Small business: Travel rewards | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 2x- Points | 50,000 Points | Apply now on Capital One's website |
Our pick for
Travel: Simple rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$95
2x-5x
Miles
75,000
Miles
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is at the front of the wallet for many frequent travelers, thanks to its rich flat-rate rewards, plum sign-up bonus and flexible redemption options.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is at the front of the wallet for many frequent travelers, thanks to its rich flat-rate rewards, plum sign-up bonus and flexible redemption options.
Pros
The card earns 2 miles per $1 spent on most purchases, among the best rewards rates in its class. The sign-up bonus is similarly generous: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. And redemption is easy: Go through Capital One's travel center, or simply book however you want and redeem miles for statement credit against the purchase. There’s no minimum redemption amount, either.
Cons
There's an annual fee of $95. If you'd rather have cash back, a mile is worth only half a cent when redeemed this way.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through our Partner Lounge Network
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Our pick for
Travel: Simple rewards + no annual fee
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1.25x-5x
Miles
20,000
Miles
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent, with miles redeemable the same way as on the regular Venture card, for an annual fee of $0.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent, with miles redeemable the same way as on the regular Venture card, for an annual fee of $0.
Pros
Miles can be redeemed for statement credit against travel purchases at a value of 1 cent per mile, with no restrictions on when you travel. There's a sign-up bonus, too: Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel..
Cons
The ongoing rewards rate is lower than the 1.5 points or miles per dollar offered by some competitors in the no-annual-fee travel card field.
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
Our pick for
Travel: Rich benefits for travel portal users
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$395
2x-10x
Miles
75,000
Miles
Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits — provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits that can make back the bulk of your annual fee.
Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits — provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits that can make back the bulk of your annual fee.
Pros
As with the regular Venture-branded card, you earn 2 miles per dollar on purchases. But when booking through Capital One Travel, you also get 5X miles on airfare and 10X miles on hotel and rental cars. There's up to $300 a year in statement credit for bookings through the portal, a 10,000-point annual bonus, airport lounge access and a jumbo sign-up offer.
Cons
The value you'll get from this card is highly dependent on whether you use Capital One to book your travel. If you prefer to reserve directly with airlines or hotels, best to stick with the standard Venture card. The bonus offer is big, but so is the spending required to earn it.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Our pick for
Cash back: Simple rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1.5%-5%
Cashback
$200
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a standard-setter: Its easy-to-understand 1.5% cash-back rate on all purchases spawned an army of imitators. The $0-annual-fee card not only earns unlimited rewards, but it also allows you to redeem your rewards in any amount, at any time.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a standard-setter: Its easy-to-understand 1.5% cash-back rate on all purchases spawned an army of imitators. The $0-annual-fee card not only earns unlimited rewards, but it also allows you to redeem your rewards in any amount, at any time.
Pros
Easy-peasy describes this card's simple earning and redemption structure. There are no bonus categories to keep track of, no limit to how much you can earn, and rewards don't expire. There's a nice sign-up bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Plus, you'll get a great intro 0% APR period.
Cons
If you're willing to keep track of rotating bonus categories, or if you spend heavily on things like gas and groceries, you might do better with a card that pays higher rewards on select purchases.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24%-29.24% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
Our pick for
Cash back: Dining, groceries, entertainment
$95
1%-8%
Cashback
$300
Dinner and a movie? What sets the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card apart is that it earns high rewards for both the dinner and the movie. The card pays unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Dinner and a movie? What sets the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card apart is that it earns high rewards for both the dinner and the movie. The card pays unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Pros
The “entertainment” category is broad and includes things like movie tickets, concerts, sporting events, tourist attractions, theme parks, dance clubs, record stores and more. There’s also a terrific sign-up bonus: Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening..
Cons
There's an annual fee, and it's pretty steep for a cash-back card: $95. If you spend less than $9,500 a year on dining and entertainment, consider the no-fee version of this card, described below.
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn.
No foreign transaction fees.
Capital One cardholders get access to premium experiences in dining, entertainment and more.
Our pick for
Cash back: Dining, groceries, entertainment + no annual fee
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1%-10%
Cashback
$200
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card — the $0-annual-fee version of Capital One's popular dining card — pays unlimited 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores and entertainment, including streaming services; and 1% back on all other purchases.
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card — the $0-annual-fee version of Capital One's popular dining card — pays unlimited 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores and entertainment, including streaming services; and 1% back on all other purchases.
Pros
Though it offers a lower rewards rate on dining and entertainment than its annual-fee-bearing big brother, this card is a better choice for people who eat out less often. The sign-up bonus is smaller, too, but still quite nice: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Cons
If you're a one-card kind of person rather than someone with a card for every occasion, you might get more value from a card that pays 1.5% or 2% cash back on every purchase.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
No foreign transaction fee
No annual fee
Our pick for
College students: Bonus cash-back rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1%-10%
Cashback
$50
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is among the best in its class, thanks to its rich rewards in several popular spending categories for students.
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is among the best in its class, thanks to its rich rewards in several popular spending categories for students.
Pros
The $0-annual-fee card earns 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 3% back on dining, entertainment purchases, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases; and 1% back on all other purchases.
Cons
A flat-rate rewards card would be more straightforward and easier to manage.
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
Build your credit with responsible card use
Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Our pick for
College students: Simple cash-back rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1.5%-10%
Cashback
$50
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a simple and straightforward pick that offers solid rewards on every purchase.
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a simple and straightforward pick that offers solid rewards on every purchase.
Pros
The $0-annual-fee card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Cons
You can find student cards that outearn this one in specific bonus categories.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
Build your credit with responsible card use
Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Our pick for
College students: Unique incentives
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1%-5%
Cashback
N/A
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One gives you 1% cash back on all your purchases, plus 0.25% back when you make your monthly payment on time, for a total of 1.25% cash back. That's pretty good for a student card.
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One gives you 1% cash back on all your purchases, plus 0.25% back when you make your monthly payment on time, for a total of 1.25% cash back. That's pretty good for a student card.
Pros
The annual fee is $0. With responsible use, you can be considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months. You don't have to be a student to apply for the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One, making it a good option for someone with average credit.
Cons
If you've already built good credit, you can probably score a card with higher rewards than this card offers. The ongoing APR is 29.74% Variable APR, which is steep if you plan on carrying a balance.
Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases. Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Pay for Amazon.com purchases using your Capital One rewards
Pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers and keep your actual card number to yourself
Get notified via text, email, and phone if Capital One notices potential suspicious transactions on your account
Build your credit with responsible card use
Our pick for
Fair credit: No annual fee
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
N/A
N/A
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is an ideal choice for those with average credit who don't carry a balance, don't want to pay for carrying a card and appreciate an incentive for responsible behavior. It also travels well.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is an ideal choice for those with average credit who don't carry a balance, don't want to pay for carrying a card and appreciate an incentive for responsible behavior. It also travels well.
Pros
The annual fee is $0. Pay your bill on time, and you can be automatically considered for a credit limit increase in as little as six months. You can choose your own due date, which lets you schedule payment for the time of the month that best suits your cash flow. If you do make a late payment, the card doesn't impose a penalty APR. And the card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
Cons
There are no rewards. Plus, the ongoing APR is on the high end at 29.74% Variable APR. That's not an issue if you pay in full every month, but look elsewhere if you expect to carry debt from month to month.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Our pick for
Fair credit: Cash back rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$39
1.5%-5%
Cashback
N/A
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of just a handful of cards for average credit that earn rewards. In fact, it earns the same rate as the regular version of this card for people with excellent credit.
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of just a handful of cards for average credit that earn rewards. In fact, it earns the same rate as the regular version of this card for people with excellent credit.
Pros
The card pays unlimited 1.5% cash back on all spending. You can redeem those rewards at any time, in any amount. Pay your bill on time, and you can be automatically considered for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.
Cons
There's an annual fee of $39, so you'd have to spend at least $2,600 a year on the card to break even. The APR on this card is high.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Our pick for
Poor credit: Flexible deposit
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
N/A
N/A
When you have poor credit, a secured card can help. The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card reports to all three of the major credit bureaus and may give you access to a higher credit line without an additional deposit after you make your first five monthly payments on time.
When you have poor credit, a secured card can help. The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card reports to all three of the major credit bureaus and may give you access to a higher credit line without an additional deposit after you make your first five monthly payments on time.
Pros
The annual fee is $0. For a starter credit line of $200, your deposit may be $49, $99 or $200. Plus, Capital One will let you pay off that deposit in installments within a certain amount of time after approval. Pay your bill on time, and you can be automatically considered for a credit limit increase in as little as six months with no additional deposit.
Cons
Like most secured cards, this card doesn't earn rewards. The ongoing APR is 29.74% Variable APR, so carrying a balance is not ideal.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Our pick for
Poor credit: Cash back rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1.5%-5%
Cashback
N/A
Unlike many other secured cards, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card earns a decent rewards rate on all purchases as you work to strengthen your credit.
Unlike many other secured cards, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card earns a decent rewards rate on all purchases as you work to strengthen your credit.
Pros
The $0-annual-fee card earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, a solid rate even compared with many traditional "unsecured" cards. It also offers an automatic credit limit review, plus the possibility of an upgrade path to a higher-tier Capital One card eventually.
Cons
There's a minimum security deposit of $200. And while that's eventually refundable, for many it still represents a sizable sum of cash to lock up.
No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Our pick for
Small business: Cash back
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$150
2%-5%
Cashback
$1,000
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers offers generous, easy-to-manage cash-back rewards at a strong rate. And while there's an annual fee, big spenders can easily offset it thanks to unlimited cash back and a potential $200 annual bonus.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers offers generous, easy-to-manage cash-back rewards at a strong rate. And while there's an annual fee, big spenders can easily offset it thanks to unlimited cash back and a potential $200 annual bonus.
Pros
In addition to its 2% flat-rate earnings, the card offers an attractive sign-up bonus: Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening. You'll also get business-specific perks like an itemized expense summary at year's end (great for tax time).
Cons
It's got an annual fee of $150, which could be unpalatable to some. (You could be able to deduct it as a business expense on taxes, though.) If your business spends heavily in specific areas, you might do better with a card offering higher rewards in those categories.
Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
Earn an annual $200 cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more—that's enough to cover your annual fee and then some
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
$150 annual fee
Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
Our pick for
Small business: Cash back + no annual fee
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0
1.5%-5%
Cashback
$500
The Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus is a solid choice for entrepreneurs who don't spend as much: unlimited 1.5% cash back and a $0 annual fee.
The Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus is a solid choice for entrepreneurs who don't spend as much: unlimited 1.5% cash back and a $0 annual fee.
Pros
With its cash back rewards rate and $0, this card is like a "Quicksilver for business." You also can earn a solid sign-up bonus.
Cons
If you expect to put more than $19,000 a year on the card, you'd come out ahead with the Capital One Spark Cash for Business, described above, even with its annual fee.
Earn a $500 bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere — with no limits or category restrictions
No annual fee
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Rewards won't expire for the life of the account
Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
$0 fraud liability if your card is lost or stolen
Our pick for
Small business: Travel rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
2x-5x
Points
50,000
Points
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is made for traveling entrepreneurs whose spending doesn't fall neatly into specific categories. You simply get an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on everything.
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is made for traveling entrepreneurs whose spending doesn't fall neatly into specific categories. You simply get an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on everything.
Pros
Capital One's miles are easy to use. They can be redeemed for any travel expense — no blackout dates or restrictions — at a rate of 1 cent apiece and you receive a rate of 2 miles per dollar on purchases. There's a great sign-up bonus, too.
Cons
The card has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. After the first year, you'd have to spend at least $4,750 a year on the card before the rewards would outweigh the cost. But keep in mind that this fee could be deducted as a business expense on your taxes.
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Fly through security with one statement credit for either the $85 TSA PreCheck® application fee or the $100 Global Entry application fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
BEST CAPITAL ONE CREDIT CARDS
Before applying, verify details on the issuer's website:
CONSUMER CREDIT CARDS
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Simple travel rewards
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Simple travel rewards + no annual fee
With the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, you don't pay an annual fee, but you also don't get rewards as rich as those on the regular Venture card. Read our review.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Travel portal benefits
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Dining/entertainment rewards
If a night out is more than a once-in-a-while proposition for you, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. You get a best-in-class cash-back rate on dining, entertainment and eligible streaming services, plus bonus rewards at grocery stores. The sign-up bonus is one of the best you can get on a cash-back card. Read our review.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Dining/entertainment rewards + no annual fee
Love the night life but dead-set against paying an annual fee? Consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. It pays a lower cash-back rate on dining and entertainment than the regular Savor card, but the rewards are nevertheless quite good. The sign-up bonus is smaller than on the annual-fee version, too, but it's still solid. Read our review.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: College students seeking bonus rewards
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: College students seeking simple rewards
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Our pick for: College students seeking unique incentives
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One gives newcomers to credit a powerful incentive to develop responsible habits. You earn cash back on every purchase, but when you pay your bill on time, the cash-back rate for that month gets a boost. Read our review.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Our pick for: Fair credit
You don't get rewards with the Capital One Platinum Credit Card, or a sign-up bonus or a 0% period. But if you've got fair credit and you need a card you can use to build credit without paying an annual fee, it's definitely worth a look. Read our review.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Fair credit + rewards
This card for people with fair or "average" credit pays the same cash-back rate as the regular Quicksilver card, which targets people with excellent credit. The key difference is that this version charges an annual fee while the regular one does not. Read our review.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Our pick for: Poor credit
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Poor credit + rewards
BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Our pick for: Small business cash back
Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus
Our pick for: Small business cash back + no annual fee
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Our pick for: Small business travel rewards
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business
Our pick for: Small business travel rewards + no annual fee
The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers a lower rewards rate and a smaller bonus offer than the regular Spark Miles card, but there's no annual fee, either. Smaller spenders might come out ahead compared with the regular version. Learn more and apply.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Our pick for: Small business fair credit
Other credit cards issued by Capital One
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OTHER RESOURCES
By Jae Bratton, NerdWallet
What credit score do you need to get a Capital One credit card?
The credit score required to get a Capital One credit card depends on the card you’re considering. For example:
As is often the case with any issuer, premium cards with the most perks require excellent credit, generally defined as a credit score of 720 or better. An example here is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Many of Capital One's most popular rewards cards are available to applicants with good to excellent credit. Good credit is generally defined as a score of 690 and up.
Capital One also has cards specifically designed for fair or "average" credit, generally represented by scores in the mid-600s. These include the Capital One Platinum Credit Card, which is a basic card with a $0 annual fee, and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, which offers the same spending rewards as the regular Quicksilver card but charges an annual fee and does not come a sign-up bonus or a 0% intro APR offer.
Student credit cards from Capital One generally require fair credit.
The issuer also has options for bad credit. The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card doesn’t have any specific credit score requirement — but it requires a cash security deposit.
Keep in mind, however, that your credit score is just one factor in determining whether you’ll qualify for any credit card. Issuers typically look at your income and other information on your application as well as specific data from your credit report.
What are the interest rates on Capital One credit cards?
Interest rates on Capital One credit cards vary. As of this writing, the issuer's rewards cards for good or excellent credit generally offer a range of rates, and the APR charged on your account will largely depend on your credit history. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, for example, charges rates in this range: The ongoing APR is 20.24%-28.24% Variable APR. Meanwhile, Capital One cards for people with fair or bad credit tend to charge a single interest rate. The ongoing APR is 29.74% Variable APR on the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, for example.
Some cards offer a 0% introductory APR promotion, which means no interest is charged on your balance for a period of time after you open the account. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example, has a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus, a card for small business operators, stands out because it doesn’t have an APR at all. It’s a charge card, not a credit card, meaning the balance must be paid in full each month. Late payments on the Capital One Spark Cash Plus incur a 2.99% penalty.
What credit limit can I get with a Capital One credit card?
For regular, unsecured credit cards, your credit limit will depend on several factors, including your income and information from your credit report — including other debts and how much credit you have available on other accounts. This is typically the case with all issuers. In most cases, you aren't going to know how much of a credit limit you qualify for until you submit your application.
With secured cards, you must provide a security deposit to open the account, and the amount you deposit usually becomes your credit limit. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example, requires a $200 minimum initial deposit, and the maximum is $3,000. Capital One reviews Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card accounts for a potential credit limit increase with no additional deposit after the account has been open for at least six months.
Credit limits for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card range from $200 to $1,000. However, some applicants may qualify for an initial credit line of $200 with a security deposit of only $49 or $99. With this card, too, you may be eligible for a credit line increase with no additional deposit in as little as six months after opening the account.
How can I get a credit limit increase on a Capital One card?
You can request an increase in your credit limit, or Capital One may offer you one, usually after you’ve demonstrated responsible credit use, such as paying balances in full every month. Requests can be submitted online through your account portal. When you submit a request, you’ll be asked to provide your total annual income, employment status and monthly housing payment. For Spark business cards, you’ll also need to supply last year’s total business revenue.
With secured credit cards, you generally can't request a credit line beyond what you get with your initial deposit. However, Capital One reviews secured credit card accounts for credit limit increases with no additional deposit after they have been open for at least six months.
What are the benefits of Capital One credit cards?
Benefits are highly specific to each Capital One credit card, but there are some commonalities. All Capital One credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees. If you have a rewards card, the cash back or miles earned with that card do not expire, and there is no limit on the amount you can earn. Capital One cardholders also get access to Capital One Entertainment, a ticketing platform that offers early and sometimes exclusive access to concerts, sporting events and more. See our reviews of individual cards for specific benefits.
Is Capital One a good credit card?
What makes any card "good" for one person may not be a good fit for someone else, but Capital One offers a variety of credit cards to suit a range of consumers, and those cards regularly find a home on NerdWallet's roundups of the best credit cards. Those who regularly dine out may like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and its unlimited 4% cash back on dining, for example, while the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card may be a match for someone who wants to earn simple rewards without having to pay an annual fee.
Does Capital One have a pre-approval process for its credit cards?
Capital One’s website offers "pre-approval" for several of its credit cards. You fill out a form with questions similar to what's asked in a standard credit card application, and Capital One will show you offers you may be eligible for. The initial process doesn’t involve a "hard inquiry" on your credit report so there's no effect on your credit scores. If you see an offer you like, you can then formally apply. Note that being "pre-approved" does not necessarily guarantee approval when you submit an official application.
How many Capital One cards can you have?
Capital One allows a customer to hold only two personal Capital One cards at any given time. You can have multiples of the same card, though — for example, you could have two Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cards. According to the terms and conditions for its credit cards, Capital One will not approve a credit card application if you’ve applied for a Capital One card two or more times in the last 30 days. In practice, Capital One commonly follows a "1/6 rule": You can be approved for one Capital One consumer or business card every six months.
Can you combine points on Capital One credit cards?
You can combine miles on Capital One travel credit cards by linking the accounts, and you can do the same with the rewards on Capital One cash-back cards. Cash-back rewards can be transferred to a travel card account, but miles cannot be transferred to a cash-back account. Accounts must be linked in order to transfer rewards, which can be done in the Capital One Rewards hub.
Last updated on February 7, 2023
Methodology
Frequently asked questions
Credit cards designed for consumers with bad credit or limited credit generally have less-stringent requirements, making them easier to get. The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card both require a cash security deposit, which lowers the risk to the issuer, which in turn makes them easier to qualify for. However, approval for any card is not guaranteed, and you can still be denied if you don’t meet the issuer’s requirements — for example, if you don't have sufficient income or if you have a pending bankruptcy.
According to Capital One’s website, you can cancel your credit card online by following these instructions: “Sign in to your account and click on the card you wish to close. Select ‘I want to,’ scroll to ‘Control your card’ and follow the directions under close account.”
Many Capital One cards offer sign-up bonuses. Depending on the card, you might receive a nice sum of cash back or miles after meeting certain spending requirements. Capital One credit cards for consumers with fair or bad credit generally don't have bonus offers.
You must be enrolled in online banking in order to activate a Capital One credit card. If you’re activating a new card but already have other Capital One cards, you’ll have to link the new credit card account to your existing profile.