Capital One offers some of the best cash-back and rewards credit cards available to consumers and small business owners.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card* and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) both rank on CNBC Select's list of best dining and travel cards, respectively, and other cardholders can earn generous rewards on everyday spending. Capital One also has a premium credit card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees), which offers a range of luxury benefits.
CNBC Select reviewed the top Capital One credit cards in seven categories, so you can choose the best card based on your spending habits.
Best Capital One credit cards
- Best no-annual-fee Capital One card: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Best travel Capital One card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Best luxury Capital One card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Best cash-back Capital One card: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
- Best student Capital One card: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Best Capital One card for bad credit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Best business Capital One card: Capital One Spark Cash Plus*
Best no-annual-fee Capital One card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's secure site
Rewards
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024, 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees. See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Low spending requirement for the welcome bonus
- Redeem cash back for any amount at any time
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- 3% balance transfer fee during the first 15 months your account is open
- No bonus rewards categories
Who's this for? The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use no-annual-fee credit card that offers cash back and a generous welcome bonus. Cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on everything, which can be conveniently redeemed at any time and for any amount.
Other great perks: Beyond rewards, you can benefit from a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies (3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time; see rates and fees). This provides you with over a year to repay large purchases or get rid of debt once and for all.
The Quicksilver card also has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), travel accident insurance and extended warranty protection. Through Capital One Entertainment, you'll have access to exclusive events, such as culinary and sports experiences. Cardholders can enjoy up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through Nov. 14, 2024.
Best travel Capital One card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
$0at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years
Cons
- No introductory APR
- There’s a $95 annual fee
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) is a great choice for travelers who value flexible rewards. Cardholders earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, plus 5X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
You can redeem your points for travel by transferring them to one of Capital One's airline and hotel partners (like Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Air Canada Aeroplan), or you can use them to offset recent travel purchases. You can also redeem your points for cash back, but points are worth less if you go this route.
Other great perks: A noteworthy perk of this card is a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years worth up to $100. Taking advantage of this benefit alone more than offsets the card's $95 annual fee (see rates and fees). This card has a variety of other useful travel perks, such as two airport lounge visits per year, Hertz Five Star elite status and rental car insurance (secondary)*.
*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Best luxury Capital One card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's secure site
Rewards
Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$395
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
$0
Credit needed
Excellent
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Large welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Cons
- High annual fee
- No introductory 0% APR period
Who's this for?TheCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card(see rates and fees) is an excellent choice for someone who travels often and can take advantage of this card's wide range of perks. It earns 10X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked throughCapital One Traveland 5X miles per dollar for every dollar spent on flights through the same site. Plus, you'll earn 2X points on all other purchases.
As with the Venture Rewards Card, there are many ways to redeem your miles, including transferring them to Capital One's airline and hotel partners.
Other great perks: The card is loaded with benefits, including a statement credit of up to $100 for eitherGlobal Entry or TSA PreCheck®, complimentarycell phone insurance*and access to Capital One Loungesas well as an extensive network of airport lounges.Cardholders also receive a $300 Capital One Travel credit to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary. These benefits can easily make the card worth keeping, even though it has a $395 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Best cash-back Capital One card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Rewards
4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 4% on eligible streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Unlimited 4% cash back on entertainment purchases
- Ability to redeem rewards at any amount, unlike some other cards with $25 minimums
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers
Who's this for? If your ideal night is ordering takeout and streaming a movie, you should consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*. This card offers 10% cash back on purchases with Uber and Uber Eats, 4% on dining and entertainment, 3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and 1% on all other purchases.
Plus cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu and Disney+.
Other great perks: Other perks include complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through Nov. 14, 2024, access topremium reservations with Capital One Dining and exclusive events and experiences through the Capital One Entertainment portal.
Best student Capital One card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's secure site
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024, 8% cash backon Capital One Entertainment purchases; unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, Terms Apply; 3% cash backon dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 3% cash backon popular streaming services and entertainment; 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Annual fee
$0
Promo APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable APR
Balance transfer fee
$0at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair
See rates and fees. See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Excellent cash back categories on broad spending categories
- Exclusive access to curated experiences in sports, dining and entertainment
- Unlimited cash back that doesn't expire for the life of the account
- Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Cons
Who's this for? The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers bonus cash back on common student purchases. It earns 3% on dining, entertainment, groceries and eligible streaming services and 1% back on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
Other great perks: This card has no annual fee and only requires a fair credit score, which makes it a great starter card for college students (see rates and fees). And through November 14, 2024, you'll get the Uber One monthly membership fee reimbursed and earn 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases.
Best Capital One card for bad credit
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
On Capital One's secure site
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
No current offer
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
30.74% variable
Balance transfer fee
$0at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
No credit history
See rates and fees. See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- $49, $99 or $200 refundable deposit
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Flexibility to change your payment due date
Cons
- High variable APR
- No rewards program
Who's this for? Prospective cardholders with bad credit may find it difficult to open a traditional, unsecured credit card. However, there's often the opportunity to qualify for a secured card, such as the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (see rates and fees). These cards can be used just like an unsecured credit card and can help build your credit.
The main difference is that you'll be required to make a $49, $99 or $200 security deposit, based on your creditworthiness, to receive a $200 credit limit. This card stands out for offering the chance to qualify for a lower deposit and still receive the same $200 credit limit.
Other great perks: If you don't qualify for the $49 or $99 deposits, you can receive access to a higher credit limit in as little as six months with no additional deposit needed. Capital One automatically considers you for a credit limit increase based on your payment history and creditworthiness.
Best business Capital One card
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Credit Card
Rewards
Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
Annual fee
$150
Promo APR
None
Regular APR
No APR; pay off your balance in full every month to avoid a 2.99% late fee
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
$0
Credit needed
Excellent
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No present spending limit
- Free employee cards
- Roadside assistance benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance must be paid in full each month
- Annual cash bonus of $200 requires $200,000 yearly spending
Who's this for? Small business owners who want to earn simple cash back on purchases should consider the Capital One Spark Cash Plus*. This card offers 2% cash back on every eligible purchase — whether it's shipping costs, office furniture or meals for your employees.
Other great perks: The Spark Cash Plus* also comes with helpful business benefits, including account management tools (such as the ability to view recurring transactions and download purchase records to Quicken®, QuickBooks® and Excel®), extended warranty protection and no foreign transaction fees.
This card has a $150 annual fee, but employee cards are free so there's no added cost there.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in ourcredit card marketplaceor get personalized offers viaCardMatch™.
FAQs
What Capital One credit card is easiest to get?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (see rates and fees) is easier to qualify for because it's a secured card, which means you'll need a security deposit to open the card. Although the card doesn't come with any rewards, you'll have an easier time getting approved even if you have a weaker credit score.
What is the top-tier Capital One credit card?
The Capital One Venture X (see rates and fees) is Capital One's most premium travel rewards credit card. It comes with perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, travel credits and earns transferrable Capital One miles.
How many Capital One credit cards can you have?
Capital One doesn't have an official limit to how many cards you can have, though it typically limits members to holding two personal credit cards at a time. Co-branded Capital One cards may not count toward this two-card limit. So if you have the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® and the Capital One Venture card, there's a chance you could qualify for another Capital One card.
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Bottom line
Capital One issues a range of credit cards, from travel credit cards to business credit cards and cards designed for those with lower credit scores. To find the best credit card for you, think about what type of rewards you prefer to earn and consider which cards you are likely to qualify for.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit cardreview is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit cardproducts.While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. Seeour methodologyfor more information on how we choose the best credit cards.
Our methodology
To determine which credit cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed Capital One credit cards available in the U.S. We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.
Select teamed up with location intelligence firm Esri. The company's data development team provided the most up-to-date and comprehensive consumer spending data based on the 2019 Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can read more about their methodology here.
Esri's data team created a sample annual budget of approximately $22,126 in retail spending. The budget includes six main categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862) and general purchases ($3,953). General purchases include items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses.
CNBC Select used this budget to estimate how much the average consumer would save over a year, two years and five years, assuming they would attempt to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome bonuses offered and using the card for all applicable purchases. All rewards total estimations are net the annual fee.
While the five-year estimates we've included are derived from a budget similar to the average American's spending, you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your shopping habits.
*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
* Information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards and Capital One Spark Cash Plus has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
As a credit card expert with in-depth knowledge of the industry, I can provide valuable insights into the various Capital One credit cards mentioned in the article. My expertise is built on a foundation of understanding the features, benefits, and nuances of credit cards, as well as staying updated on the latest trends and offerings in the financial sector.
The article discusses a range of Capital One credit cards, each catering to different needs and preferences. Let's delve into the key concepts and information related to each mentioned card:
-
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card:
- No annual fee.
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Access to Capital One Entertainment events.
- Complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024.
- Pros and cons highlighted, including no foreign transaction fees and a 3% balance transfer fee during the first 15 months.
-
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card:
- $95 annual fee.
- 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases.
- 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years.
- Airport lounge visits, Hertz Five Star elite status, and rental car insurance.
- Pros and cons discussed, including the annual fee and lack of introductory APR.
-
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card:
- $395 annual fee.
- Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights, and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
- 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Up to $100 statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Access to Capital One Lounges and Partner Lounge Network.
- $300 Capital One Travel credit, 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary.
- Pros and cons highlighted, including the high annual fee and various travel perks.
-
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card:
- $95 annual fee.
- 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 4% on eligible streaming services, 3% at grocery stores, and 1% on all other purchases.
- $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
- Exclusive perks such as Uber One membership statement credits and premium reservations with Capital One Dining.
- Pros and cons discussed, including the annual fee and unlimited 4% cash back on entertainment purchases.
-
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card:
- No annual fee.
- Varied cash back categories for student spending, including 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
- $50 early spend bonus after spending $100 in the first three months.
- Exclusive access to curated experiences and 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases.
- Pros and cons highlighted, including the excellent cash back categories and no annual fee.
-
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card:
- No annual fee.
- Designed for individuals with no credit history or bad credit.
- Security deposit required ($49, $99, or $200) for a $200 credit limit.
- Flexibility to change payment due date.
- Pros and cons discussed, including the opportunity to qualify for a lower deposit.
-
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Credit Card:
- $150 annual fee.
- Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase.
- $1,200 one-time cash bonus after spending $30,000 in the first 3 months.
- Business benefits such as free employee cards and roadside assistance.
- Pros and cons discussed, including the balance must be paid in full each month and the annual cash bonus requirements.
Additionally, the article includes FAQs that address common questions about Capital One credit cards, such as the easiest card to get, the top-tier card, and the number of cards one can have.
In summary, Capital One offers a diverse range of credit cards tailored to different consumer needs, from cash back enthusiasts to frequent travelers and students building credit. Each card comes with its own set of features, benefits, and considerations, allowing individuals to choose the card that aligns with their financial goals and lifestyle.