Kat Tretina
August 20, 2018
• 4 Minute Read
Capital One is one of the top credit card issuers in the U.S., offering a card for just about any need and no foreign transaction fees on any of its cards. But there’s not really one best Capital One card for everyone.
Whether you’re looking at Capital One or any other issuer, the perfect card for you will depend a lot on your credit and your feature preferences. To help you pick the right one, we’ll cover the top Capital One credit cards and who they’re good for.
Best for travel: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
If you’re looking for a huge sign-up bonus and lucrative travel rewards, this card has it all. 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, plus earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
To redeem your rewards, just use your card to book travel on any website, and you can use your miles to get a partial or full statement credit for the purchase.
As an added perk, the card gives you up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, programs that help you get through airport security faster.
The main drawback to the card is its annual fee, which is $95. But considering the card’s sign-up bonus covers the fee for five years, you’re still getting great value. The card’s targeted to people with good or excellent credit.
Rate & Fees
Best for cash back: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
If you prefer no annual fee and the flexibility of cash back, this card might be worth considering. You’ll earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months from account opening, plus 1.5% cash back on all your purchases, every day.
You’ll also get an introductory 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR applies after that; a balance transfer fee applies. You’ll need at least good or excellent credit to get approved, though.
Rate & Fees
Best for fair credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Similar to the Capital One Quicksilver Card, this one offers 1.5% cash back on all of your purchases, every day. It doesn’t, however, offer a sign-up bonus or an introductory 0% APR promotion.
It also charges a $39 annual fee, but you can make up for that with just $2,600 in spending per year, or $217 per month. Considering there aren’t many options for people with fair credit and most of them are mediocre, this card is a solid choice.
Rate & Fees
Best for bad credit: Secured Mastercard® from Capital One
If you’ve made some past credit missteps, this card can help you get on the right track.
While it does require a security deposit to get approved, you may qualify to get a $200 initial credit limit with a deposit of $49, $99, or $200. Most secured cards, on the other hand, require your deposit to be equal to your credit limit.
What’s more, be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed.
If you have limited credit though, and you’re not a college student, consider the unsecured Capital One Platinum Credit Card.
Best for college students: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Offer No Longer Available)
If you’re in school, there’s no reason for you to apply for a secured credit card. Instead, consider this one, 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.
You will be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months. And since the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, it’s a perfect card to take if you study abroad.
Best for small businesses: Capital One Spark Cash for Business
Whether you’re starting a new venture or you have an established business, this card gives you an injection of cash right back into your business every time you use it.
You’ll earn 2% cash back on every dollar you spend, plus you’ll earn a one-time $500 cash bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months. This card offers free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
The card has a $95 annual fee, but it’s waived the first year.
Picking the right Capital One Card
As you can see, Capital One has an impressive suite of credit cards, all of which are among the top choices for any category across all credit card issuers.
To choose the right one for your needs, consider what you want out of a credit card. Zero in on different features, such as rewards and 0% APR promotions, as well as fees. Regardless of which card you choose, you’re bound to get a lot of value out of it, either in terms of features or help building your credit history.
*Information for these cards are not reviewed by or provided by Capital One
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