Best Capital One credit cards of April 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 1:50 a.m. UTC April 15, 2024
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Capital One issues a wide variety of credit cards, for a wide variety of card-seekers. None of Capital One’s credit cards carry foreign transaction fees, plus, Capital One offers a preapproval toolso you can check your approval odds without taking a hit to your credit.
We looked at all of the available Capital One credit cards to determine the very best. Here is our list of the best Capital One credit cards for 2024.
Best Capital One credit cards
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card *: Best Capital One travel rewards card.
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card *: Best Capital One no-annual-fee travel rewards card.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card *: Best Capital One dining and restaurants card.
- Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card *: Best Capital One cash-back card.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card *: Best Capital One card for students.
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card *: Best Capital One secured card.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 24+ cards analyzed.
- 6 data points considered.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Best Capital One travel rewards card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Capital One no-annual-fee travel rewards card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Capital One dining and restaurants card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Capital One cash-back card
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card
*The information for the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Capital One card for students
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Capital One secured card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Compare the best Capital One credit cards
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.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when you use your Capital One Walmart Rewards Card with Walmart Pay – the quick and secure way to pay with your phone at Walmart
Earn a one-time $50 cash bonus when you spend $100 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
In a market filled with pricey travel credit cards proclaiming they’re a premium pick, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. reigns supreme. The card is top on our list of best travel cards and for good reason. In addition to myriad perks, it has two features that set it apart: It’s priced better than its peers and it offers Priority Pass Select lounge membership to authorized users upon enrollment at no additional charge.
Other stand-out perks include an annual $300 travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel that if redeemed, goes a long way toward offsetting the annual fee, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus worth $100 towards travel, top-tier status with Hertz rental car² and Visa Infinite benefits which include primary auto rental insurance and travel and purchase protection and insurances¹.
- Annual fee: $395.
- Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
- Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- APR: 19.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
The information for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a straightforward travel rewards credit card for those who value ease of use over pricey cards with premium perks. It might not give you the most miles per dollar spent, but the simple earnings, basic protections and $0 annual fee can make it a valuable addition to your wallet.
The card also comes with a low intro APR offer, which can be helpful for those looking to pay down existing debt or save on a big purchase — like a bucket list trip. Other perks include travel accident insurance and extended warranty protection¹.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: Earn 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per $1 on other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of 19.99% to 29.99%. There is a 3% fee on each balance transfer in the first 15 months but no fee for amounts transferred at the purchase APR after the first 15 months.
The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is ideal for anyone who spends much of their disposable income on food and fun. The elevated rewards on dining, entertainment and streaming services, as well as groceries make it a fit for both those who like to dine out and those who like to dine in.
Sweetening the card’s appeal, you’ll also earn 10% cash back on purchases on Uber & Uber Eats, plus a complimentary Uber One membership through 11/14/2024, and the card offers extended warranty coverage and travel accident insurance¹.
- Annual fee: $95.
- Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 4% cash back on all dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 1% on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Earn a $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- APR: 21.24%, 26.24% or 29.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
The information for the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
If you’re a regular Walmart shopper, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card * The information for the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. should be on your radar. The card earns high rewards on Walmart.com purchases, making it a worthy rival to the Prime Visa * The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , plus rewards on in-store spending too.
Other features that make this card a standout include price protection¹ — a money-saving attribute increasingly rare to find on a credit card — and a host of other protections and insurances including extended warranty coverage, secondary rental car insurance, lost or damaged luggage coverage and worldwide automatic travel accident, baggage delay and trip cancellation/interruption insurance¹.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com & in the Walmart app, 2% cash back on restaurants and travel, and at Walmart Stores, Walmart & Murphy USA fuel stations and 1% cash back everywhere else.
- Welcome bonus: Earn 5% cash back at Walmart stores for the first 12 months when using the card with Walmart Pay.
- APR: 19.48% or 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
Working toward a good credit score before you graduate is a worthy goal. Strong credit can help you qualify for a new apartment lease, cellphone plan or car loan. The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. can help undergrads begin their credit journey and comes with a flat rewards rate on every purchase.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: Earn 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.
- Welcome bonus: Earn a $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- APR: 19.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
A secured card can be a great way to rebuild credit, and the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is one of the best of the bunch in this category. What makes the Platinum Secured Card unique is that qualified applicants can deposit $49, $99 or $200 (your minimum is determined by the issuer) to receive a credit line of $200 — whereas most secured cards simply require a deposit matching your desired credit line, and don’t offer the chance for a lower deposit amount.
Capital One will also automatically review your account for a higher credit line in as little as six months, and with consistent on-time payment behavior you may eventually qualify to have your deposit returned and your account converted to an unsecured card.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- APR: 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. When selecting the best Capital One credit cards for this list, we culled the top cards in their respective categories (for example, best travel rewards cards, best secured cards, best cash-back cards). Within those categories, we considered various attributes including:
- Annual fees.
- Rewards potential (if any).
- Standout perks and benefits.
- What made the card the best in its particular category.
Should you get a Capital One credit card?
Capital One credit cards come with some appealing benefits for would-be cardholders. For starters, none of their credit cards carry foreign transaction fees, making them a great choice for travel abroad. Additionally, Capital One cardholders have access to several issuer perks including the ability to pick your own monthly due date for your account statement, access to unique dining experiences (if you have a co-branded card, such as the Capital One Walmart card, you’re not eligible for this perk) and access to select presale and VIP entertainment experiences.
Frequent travelers may appreciate the ability to transfer rewards from an eligible Capital One card to more than 15 travel loyalty partners, which can often yield above-average value.
Ultimately, if there is a Capital One credit card that aligns with your spending patterns and goals, it could make sense to apply for one. However, be sure to compare the cards on this list to those on our lists of the best credit cards to view them outside of the context of this issuer. Though Capital One offers a wide range of cards, its cards may not always be the market’s best offerings for your individual needs.
Guide to Capital One credit cards
How to earn with Capital One rewards
Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that the average household in the U.S. that would be in the market for a Capital One card has around $25,087 in annual expenses that can be charged to a credit card. Here’s how our sample household’s rewards could break down if they spent exclusively on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. :
| SPENDING CATEGORY | SPENDING AMOUNT | MILES PER DOLLAR RATE | MILES EARNED |
|---|---|---|---|
Hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One travel
| $1,753
| 5 | 8,765
|
Other spending
| $23,334
| 2 | 46,668
|
TOTAL
| $25,087
| 55,433
|
Types of Capital One cards
Capital One offers several different types of credit cards to fit a variety of cardholder needs. For those with excellent credit, reward-card options might offer valuable Capital One miles or simpler cash-back rewards on everyday purchases. Only a few of the issuer’s cards lack rewards, but these options are largely for building or rebuilding credit.
For those just starting out or rebuilding their credit, secured options with lower limits and deposit requirements are available alongside unsecured options with reduced reward and benefit opportunity. Student options exist, too, although we’d recommend comparing those to our list of the best student cards and the best cards for students with no credit.
Capital One cards also offer a variety of extra benefits, many of which are convenience benefits and include 24/7 customer service, $0 fraud liability and mobile and online banking.
No matter which card you choose, a worthy goal is to aim to pay your balance in full each month in order to avoid interest charges or late payment penalties.
How to get a Capital One credit card
There’s a few simple steps when it comes to applying for a Capital One credit card.
- Narrow down which Capital One credit card is a fit. The right card for you will be based on a combination of your spending patterns, credit standing and goals in acquiring a new card.
- Use Capital One’s preapproval tool. Capital One offers a preapproval tool for many of its cards so you can check to see the likelihood of getting approved without the potential ding to your credit score if you’re denied.
- Submit your application. Like most issuers, you can apply for a card with Capital One in several ways: online, over the phone or by mailing in an application. All of these methods will require information including your full name, Social Security number, date of birth and some basic financial information. Typically, applying online can result in the fastest response.
Pros and cons of Capital One credit cards
Pros:
- No foreign transaction fees on any of the issuer’s cards.
- Travel cards have the ability to transfer to multiple loyalty partners.
- Wide variety of options for a range of potential cardholders.
Cons:
- Few cards offer low introductory APR offers.
- Other issuers offer better cash-back cards.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Capital One credit cards offer a variety of benefits across most of its cards, including no foreign transaction fees and a variety of convenience features such as 24/7 customer service, Capital One’s mobile app and access to Eno, Capital One’s virtual assistant, plus fraud protections including $0 fraud liability across all cards.
Each individual Capital One card is likely to offer its own unique perks as well, such as the unlimited access to Priority Pass (when you enroll) and Capital One airport lounges featured on the Capital One Venture X card or the Uber benefits on the Capital One Savor card.
Capital One offers a range of credit cards including cards offering either cash back or travel rewards, cards with introductory APR offers and cards for those with subprime credit or no credit history credit, such as secured or student cards.
The APR you’ll receive if approved for a Capital One credit card will depend on a combination of factors including the specific card, your credit profile and other financial considerations. Refer to the terms and conditions of your specific card or the offer for a specific card you’re considering for more information on the APR range for that particular card.
There’s no exact credit score cutoff point to guarantee approval for a particular card. In general, rewards cards are geared towards those with good or better credit. The minimum credit score needed for a Capital One card will depend on which card you apply for, among other factors. Though credit score is not the only factor that determines creditworthiness, it’s always a great idea to work on improving your credit score as much as you can before applying for any credit card.
Here’s how Capital One defines different credit score ranges:
- Rebuilding credit: Someone who has defaulted on a loan more than once or been declined for a credit card in the last three months. Folks in this category may qualify for a secured card.
- Fair credit: Someone who has defaulted on a loan in the past five years, or has limited credit history. This may include those with their own credit card or other credit for less than three years (including students, people new to the U.S., or authorized users on someone else’s credit card).
- Good credit: Someone who has not declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan in the past five years. This may also include someone with a credit card or loan who has not been more than 30 days late on any payment in the last year
- Excellent credit: Someone who has never declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan; hasn’t been more than 60 days late on any credit card, medical bill, or loan in the last year and/or has had a loan or credit card for three years or more with a credit limit above $5,000. Someone in this category could shoot for the best Capital One cards, like the Venture X.
The minimum credit limit for a Capital One card depends on the type of card you apply for and other factors. Secured cards especially will have specific limits attached. Please refer to the terms and conditions of the cards you consider for more information, but understand your specific credit limit is likely to be determined by your level of creditworthiness as evaluated by the issuer.
You can apply for a Capital One credit card online, by phone or at a Capital One branch in person.
¹For 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.
²Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
*The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card and Prime Visa has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
