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Capital One offers a wide variety of credit cards, from options that can help you build your credit to a premium card that earns valuable travel rewards. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is especially popular thanks to its robust marketing budget and television commercials, but it’s not necessarily the right Capital One card for you. The best option is the one that fits your spending style and your goals.
Find the right Capital One credit card for you
Best welcome bonus and upscale travel perks
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Best for flat-rate cash back
One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Best for dining and entertainment with no annual fee
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once 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. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Best for earning cash back while building credit
Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Best for building credit with a lower security deposit
Best student card with flat-rate cash back
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Best student card for dining and entertainment
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Capital One is also a good pick if you plan to travel overseas because none of its cards charge foreign transaction fees. This can save you anywhere from 3% to 5% on your purchases abroad compared to using cards from other banks that tack on fees for international purchases.
Here are the best Capital One credit cards of 2022.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
18.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Intro offer
75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
17.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Intro offer
One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
16.49% – 26.49% (Variable)
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months
Rewards
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. Earn 3% at grocery stores. Earn 1% on all other purchases.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months
Rewards
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. Earn 3% at grocery stores. Earn 1% on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. Earn 3% at grocery stores. Earn 1% on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
17.49% – 25.49% variable APR
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
16.49% – 26.49% (Variable)
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Recommended Credit
Limited, No History
Regular APR
26.99% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Card Details
Recommended Credit
Limited, Bad
Regular APR
26.99% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Intro offer
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
Regular APR
16.49% – 26.49% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
Regular APR
16.49% – 26.49% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Intro offer
$500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Intro offer
$500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date.
Intro offer
$500 after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 after spending $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Intro offer
50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, with no restrictions or blackout dates.
$95, waived the first year
Annual Fee
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Intro offer
50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, with no restrictions or blackout dates.
$95, waived the first year
Annual Fee
$95, waived the first year
Annual Fee
On Capital One’s website
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, with no restrictions or blackout dates.
Annual Fee
$95, waived the first year
Intro offer
50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
22.49% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Compare the best Capital One cards
Best intro bonus and upscale travel perks: Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been making waves since its launch late last year. Along with a massive welcome bonus which is worth $750 in travel, the card comes packed with upscale benefits that can more than offset the $395 annual fee.
Capital One’s first premium card has an annual fee lower than similar cards and a range of valuable travel perks. It’s become a real competitor to cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express
.
Cardholders receive up to $300 per year in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One, Priority Pass and Capital One airport lounge access (even for authorized users), a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth $100 in travel), and Visa Infinite travel and purchase benefits.
As with other cards that earn Capital One miles, you can transfer rewards to over a dozen airline and hotel partners to book award travel.
Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review to learn more.
Best for travel rewards: Capital One Venture Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns rewards you can redeem for any type of travel at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also transfer miles to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners, including Accor, Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates, British Airways, and Wyndham — and the issuer recently added Virgin Red as its newest transfer partner.
The transfer ratio for most partners is now 1:1, with the exception of EVA Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5 ratio) and Accor Live Limitless (2:1 ratio).
As a cardholder, you’ll also receive no foreign transaction fees and a credit toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership fee. If you travel frequently, be sure to read our comparison of the Capital One Venture and Venture X — the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could actually be a better fit despite its higher annual fee.
Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review for more info.
Best for flat-rate cash back: Capital One Quicksilver
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is for you if you want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee. Its welcome bonus is also relatively generous and easy to earn.
On the redemption side of the equation, you can redeem your rewards for cash back at any time and in any amount. You can also cash in your points for gift cards. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card also comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) (then a 16.49% – 26.49% (Variable) APR).
Read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card review to learn more.
Best for dining and entertainment: Capital One Savor Rewards
The Capital One Savor card is an enticing option thanks to its initial bonus and ongoing rewards, and that’s especially true if you spend a lot on dining, entertainment, and streaming each year. Even if you just spend a lot at the grocery store, earning 3% back is excellent as well.
You can redeem your rewards for cash back in any amount, and this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the US.
Read our Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card review for more details.
Best for dining and entertainment with no annual fee: Capital One SavorOne Rewards
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card lets you rack up exceptional rewards on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery purchases. This card also comes without an annual fee, which is a net positive if you want to keep your costs down.
If you have a large purchase you want to pay off over time, you’ll be happy to know this card extends a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months), followed by a 16.49% – 26.49% (Variable). This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees.
Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards credit card review to learn more.
Best for earning cash back while building credit: Capital One Quicksilver Secured
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal if you’re working on building your credit but still want to earn rewards. Although there’s no welcome offer, cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no bonus categories to keep track of.
Because it’s a secured credit card, you’ll have to put down a security deposit equal to the initial credit line you’ll be given. You can get started with a deposit as low as $200, and with responsible use over time, you could have the opportunity to upgrade to an unsecured Quicksilver card and get your deposit back.
Read our Capital One QuickSilver Secured card review for more info.
Best for building credit with a lower security deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured
If you’re trying to repair your credit score, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an ideal option — it’s relatively easy to get approved for since you put down a security deposit when you open your card.
As a new cardholder, you’ll put down a security deposit ($49, $99, or $200), which is refundable and determines your initial credit line. After you make payments on time for six months, you can get access to a higher credit line.
Best student card with flat-rate cash back: Capital One Quicksilver Student Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is geared to students who want to earn rewards while they build up their credit over time. This card gives you a flat 1.5% back on all purchases with no limits, which isn’t the best cash-back rate on a no-annual-fee card. But since this card is available to those with average credit, it’s available to a broader selection of consumers who need help getting started.
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn’t charge an annual fee, and there are no foreign transaction fees, either. It also offers solid benefits for a no-annual-fee student credit card, including price protection***, extended warranty***, car rental coverage***, roadside dispatch***, and complimentary concierge services.
Read our Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card review
Best student card for dining and entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Student Card
If you’re in college and spend a lot on dining out, groceries, entertainment, and streaming, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding card options out there. Along with a limited-time welcome bonus offer of $100 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening, the card offers 3% cash back in student-friendly categories, with no limits to what you can earn.
Dining and groceries are straightforward categories, and Capital One has a broad definition of entertainment — including movies, professional sporting events, amusement parks, record stores, and bowling alleys. Eligible streaming services include popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
Like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with surprisingly good perks for a student credit card, such as car rental coverage***, roadside dispatch***, price protection***, extended warranty***, and access to a concierge service.
Read our Capital One SavorOne Student card review to learn more.
Best business card for cash back: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
The new Capital One Spark Cash Plus
is a straightforward card that earns you a solid 2% cash-back return on all your other business spending.
Because it’s a charge card, there’s no preset spending limit, and you’ll need to pay your balance off in full each month. Big spenders also get a boost: Every year you spend $200,000 or more on your card, you’ll receive a $200 bonus.
Read our Capital One Spark Cash Plus card review for more details.
Best business card for travel: Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business has a reasonable annual fee, and it makes it easy to earn miles on every purchase without having to keep track of bonus spending categories.
You have lots of options when it comes time to redeem your miles, and the card comes with an application fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Read our Capital One Spark Miles for Business credit card review to learn more.
Capital One credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Capital One is one of the few issuers that spells out the level of credit score you’ll need for each of its cards. For example, the premium Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card requires an excellent credit score, defined as follows: You’ve never declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan, been more than 60 days late on any credit card, medical bill, or loan in the last year, and have had a loan or credit card for three years or more with a credit limit above $5,000.
Not all Capital One cards require excellent credit. If your credit is fair or average, you could still qualify for cards like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Capital One cards are known for offering good customer service and solid perks, and you’ll never pay foreign transaction fees which can save you money if you’re traveling overseas.
You’ve also got a wide variety of card options — whether you’re just getting started with credit or are looking for an upscale card that earns generous travel rewards, there’s likely a Capital One card that is a good fit.
Capital One has a strong selection of fair credit, bad credit (such as secured cards), and student credit cards for folks just starting out or building credit. There’s a great range of rewards rates, bonuses, intro APR rates, and perks to choose from.
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for students with fair credit who spend on dining, groceries, and entertainment. On a similar note, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a basic starter card, with no annual fee, and can automatically consider you for a higher credit line after six months.
If you don’t have any credit history, you could also consider the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns you 5% cash back on hotel and car rentals (through Capital One Travel) and 1.5% cash back on everything else, with access to Capital One’s Credit Wise credit monitoring service.
Yes, you can have more than one Capital One card. However, Capital One doesn’t publish any firm rules about the total number of cards you can have open at once — it depends on your credit profile, income, and other factors.