Skip to Main Content

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: A low-maintenance student starter card

 /  5 min
Bankrate logo

The Bankrate promise

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for .

Snapshot

3.0

Bankrate rating
Info Icon
Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Bottom line

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (No longer available) may be a decent option for students building credit who want a straightforward rewards program, but it falls short of several competing student cash back cards because of its high APR and low rewards rate.

Best for flat-rate cash back and studying abroad

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

No Credit History

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards Rate

1%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

29.99% (Variable)

3.0
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon

Bankrate Score

Introductory offer

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
1.0 / 5

Fees

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
3.4 / 5

Rewards value

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
2.0 / 5

Features

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
3.0 / 5
compare
Compare
Lightbulb Icon

Bankrate’s take: “The Journey Student Rewards card from Capital One has been discontinued. Fortunately, the Quicksilver Rewards for Students is a step up for those interested in a Capital One student card. Take a look at our best student credit cards if you’re looking to compare rewards, rates and fees as well as perks.”

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One Overview

This straightforward student card from Capital One is a fantastic way to build credit history and learn the ropes of earning rewards. It’s also a solid starter card as it earns cash back on all purchases, rewards good credit habits and imposes no extraneous fees. Plus, its security benefits and lack of foreign transaction fees make it a great study-abroad companion.

However, several other student cards have more to offer once you’re comfortable with credit, and Capital One’s new student cards deliver a ton more value for equally fresh credit builders.

  • Credit Card With Dollar Sign Icon

    Rewards

    • Unlimited 1 percent cash back on all purchases — boosted to 1.25 percent for the month when the card is paid on time, 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)

    Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive

  • Credit Card Search Icon

    Rates and fees

    • No annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • No intro APR offer for purchases or balance transfers
    • 29.99 percent ongoing APR

    Expert Appraisal: Typical

  • Credit Fair Icon

    Credit-building features

    • Access to CreditWise
    • Potential credit line increase after account review

    Expert Appraisal: Typical

  • Congrats Icon

    Other cardholder perks

    • Travel and retail benefits

    Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive

Alternatives to the Journey Student Rewards Card

If you’re a first-time cardholder who wants a safety net while building credit, you might want to look at a few of the alternative cards available.

Image of Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Annual fee

$0

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

1%
Info Icon

Recommended Credit Score

Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info Icon
Image of Discover it® Student Cash Back
Bankrate Score
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Apply now Lock Icon
on Discover's secure site

Annual fee

$0

Intro offer

Cashback Match
Info Icon

Rewards rate

1% - 5%
Info Icon

Recommended Credit Score

No Credit History
Info Icon
Image of Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students credit card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students credit card

Bankrate Score
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0

Annual fee

$0

Intro offer

$200
Info Icon

Rewards rate

1% - 3%
Info Icon

Recommended Credit Score

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info Icon

Journey Student Rewards Card pros and cons

Pros

  • Checkmark Icon

    You could increase your cash back rate to 1.25 percent on purchases for the month after making an on-time payment.

  • Checkmark Icon

    The card charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

  • Checkmark Icon

    You were automatically considered for a higher credit line after only six months, which is one of the quickest review periods on the market.

Cons

  • This card has a high ongoing APR, even for a student credit card.

  • The card is missing zero-interest offers and common student perks like cellphone insurance, which other Capital One student cards offer.

  • You only receive your boosted rewards rate after making on-time payments each month.

Best cards to pair with the Journey Student Rewards Card from Capital One

Since the Journey Student Rewards card is a flat-rate card with a low 1 percent to 1.25 percent cash back when you make an on-time payment that month, other cash back cards with higher rewards rates in your top spending categories can help maximize your rewards earnings. 

Bankrate’s Take — Is the Journey Student Rewards Card from Capital One worth keeping?

The Journey Student Rewards Card from Capital One is an adequate option if you're a first-time cardholder who wants an easy-to-handle cash back card for every occasion. The card’s 1 percent flat cash back rate on all purchases is a solid offer, but not the strongest on the market. Plus, the card’s perks can give you peace of mind when you’re shopping or traveling.

But, the card’s high ongoing APR and relatively low rewards rate leave the card overshadowed by new student offerings. 

*All information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Written by
Re'Dreyona Walker
Associate Editor, Credit Cards
Re'Dreyona Walker is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, focusing on product guides and reviews. As a personal finance expert, she is dedicated to providing honest product reviews as well as in-depth, comprehensive guides to assist readers in building credit and finding the best credit cards for their needs.
Edited by Editor, Credit cards

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.