Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: A low-maintenance student starter card
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Snapshot
3.0
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.
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards Rate
1%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.99% (Variable)
Bankrate Score
Introductory offer
Fees
Rewards value
Features
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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.
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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
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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
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Credit-building features
- Access to CreditWise
- Potential credit line increase after account review
Expert Appraisal: Typical
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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.
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Annual fee
Intro offer
Rewards rate
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.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Rewards rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students credit card
Annual fee
Intro offer
Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
Rewards rate
3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings. 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Journey Student Rewards Card pros and cons
Pros
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You could increase your cash back rate to 1.25 percent on purchases for the month after making an on-time payment.
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The card charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
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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
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This card has a high ongoing APR, even for a student credit card.
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The card is missing zero-interest offers and common student perks like cellphone insurance, which other Capital One student cards offer.
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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
* 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.