Capital One Quicksilver Review: A No-Fuss, No-Gimmicks Card

Simple rewards earning and redemption

Those who value simplicity will appreciate the straightforward 1.5% cash back rewards on the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.

And the ease of use doesn't apply only on the rewards-earning side. Nerds who carry this card can confirm that the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn't have a minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem your cash back for any amount and at any time. Cash back can also be redeemed for purchases on Amazon and through PayPal; terms apply.

Sign-up bonus

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has a solid bonus offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. While you can find higher sign-up bonuses on credit cards with annual fees, you'd have a hard time finding a higher bonus on a card with no annual fee.

0% intro APR offer

This card features an introductory APR of 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR (see rates and fees). The lengthy window for purchases and balance transfers can offer some breathing room on interest payments and can help those who need to make a big purchase or pay down transferred debt. According to the card's terms, you'll have a balance transfer fee, which the issuer describes this way: "3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time." Weigh the cost of the balance transfer fee against current long-term interest payments to determine whether it's right for you.

Low fees

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good option for the fee-averse. It charges an annual fee of $0. And because it has no foreign transaction fees, it can be a good option to take with you when traveling internationally.

» MORE: Capital One credit cards mobile app review

MORE NERDY PERSPECTIVE

You can get a higher flat rate

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card set the 1.5% standard for an entire generation of cash-back credit cards. But nowadays, there are a growing number of cards on the market that offer a flat rate of at least 2% back.

For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card pays an unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. It also comes with a bonus offer as well as an introductory interest-free period on purchases and balance transfers: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR.

Limited opportunities for bonus rewards

The card earns more than 1.5% only for very specific purchases. Notably, you get 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), and through Dec. 31. Otherwise, it earns 1.5% on everything.

Flat-rate rewards are ideal for people with varied spending habits. However, if you spend a significant chunk of your budget in specific spending areas, like gas and groceries, for example, consider a card that specifically rewards these types of transactions. The $0-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, for instance, earns 3% cash back* at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in spending in each category). Other purchases earn 1% back. (Terms apply — see rates and fees.)

If you spend a lot at the supermarket, take a look at the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Still, it packs richer rewards: 6% cash back* at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending (then 1%); 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit; and 1% cash back on all other purchases. These cards also include welcome offers for new cardholders and 0% introductory APR periods. (Terms apply — see rates and fees.)

Alternatively, if you don't mind logging into your account every quarter to opt into bonus rewards categories, you may want to opt for a 5% rotating bonus category card like the Chase Freedom Flex® or the Discover it® Cash Back.

Both of these cards earn 5% cash back in categories that change every three months; you have to opt in to the category each time it changes. The 5% cash back is good on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending (enrollment required). All other spending earns 1% cash back. The current bonus categories for both cards can be found here.

» COMPARE: Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® tops the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

To learn more about how your cash-back credit card options might stack up, check out our best credit cards page.

To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page.

*Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.