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Best Capital One credit cards for December 2023

Updated November 13, 2023

Capital One offers an impressive lineup of credit cards for various financial needs, including cash back, travel, business and credit-building. If you do most of your banking online, then you’ll enjoy the digital account management that Capital One credit cards offer.

Here’s a look at the best cards available from our credit card partner Capital One.

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Best for simple cash back
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit
chance of approval
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Intro offer

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1.5% - 5%

Rewards rate

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Annual fee

Regular APR

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Best for dining and entertainment with no annual fee
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
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Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit
chance of approval
Info

Intro offer

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1% - 8%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
Best for travel rewards
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9
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Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit
chance of approval
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Intro offer

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$1275

Offer valuation

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2 Miles - 5 Miles

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for no annual fee travel rewards
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit

Intro offer

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$340

Offer valuation

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1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

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BEST FOR PREMIUM TRAVEL BENEFITS
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Excellent (740 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
chance of approval
Info

Intro offer

Info

$1275

Offer valuation

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2 Miles - 10 Miles

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for business travel rewards
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

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$850

Offer valuation

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2X - 5x

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for small businesses
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Excellent (740 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

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$1200

Offer valuation

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2% - 5%

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

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Best for people with limited credit history
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

Fair to Good (580 – 740)
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Recommended Credit
chance of approval
Info

N/A

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for consumers with bad credit
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
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Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
No Credit History
Info
Recommended Credit

N/A

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best flat-rate cash back for students
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

1.5% - 10%

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best overall for students
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

1% - 8%

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for fair credit
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Recommended Credit

N/A

Intro offer

Info

1.5% - 5%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

BEST SECURED CARD FOR FLAT-RATE REWARDS
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
No Credit History
Info
Recommended Credit

N/A

Intro offer

Info

1.5% - 5%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Compare our top picks for Capital One credit cards

Card Name Best for Bankrate Review Score

Simple cash back

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

3.8 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Dining and entertainment with no annual fee
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

5.0 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Travel rewards

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.9 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

No annual fee travel rewards

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.1 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Premium travel rewards

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

5.0 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Travel business card

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.4 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Small businesses

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.6 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Limited credit history

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.2 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Consumers with bad credit

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.1 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Best flat-rate cash back for students

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.6 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Best overall for students

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.6 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Fair credit

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

4.0 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

Secured card for flat-rate rewards

Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site

3.8 / 5

Info

(Read card review)

A closer look at our best Capital One credit cards

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for simple cash back

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It’s a simple cash back card with no annual fee that earns at least an unlimited 1.5 percent back on all purchases. (See Rates and Fees)

Cash back beginners. If you’re considering getting a rewards card, this one is a great entry point to test the waters of cash back credit cards.

The Citi Double Cash® Card card earns a little bit more cash back (1 percent when you use the card and 1 percent as you pay your bill) while still skipping the annual fee. If you’re a disciplined credit user who always pays their bill, this card could prove more rewarding. 

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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for dining and entertainment with no annual fee

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It has stellar rewards rates on dining and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), along with select streaming services, making it an easy way to earn on food and your favorite TV shows. (See Rates and Fees)

Homebodies, foodies and social butterflies. Its elevated cash back on its food-related categories make it a lucrative card, regardless of if you prefer a night out or in.

If you’re a foodie who also loves traveling, then the American Express® Gold Card offers rewards on categories that you probably spend the most in. Just watch out for its annual fee.

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for travel rewards

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Capital One’s transfer partners and this comparatively low annual fee make it a solid first choice for earning miles on everyday purchases. (See Rates and Fees)

Casual travelers — its 2X miles on everyday purchases in addition to its 5X miles on hotels and cars booked through Capital One Travel is just enough to fund the occasional trip.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers similar rewards rates, the same annual fee and an attractive sign-up bonus. However, the higher points value when booking through the issuer’s travel portal may help the Sapphire Preferred win out.

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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Best for no annual fee travel rewards

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This card comes with an attainable sign-up bonus plus a simple, low-cost way to earn miles on everyday purchases for no annual fee. (See Rates & Fees)

The budget traveler who wants a no-annual-fee travel rewards card to start earning miles.

If you don’t mind the cost of an annual fee, you will definitely find more value in any of Capital One’s other travel rewards cards that earn higher rewards rates.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Best for premium travel benefits

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Compared to other luxury travel cards, its lower annual fee makes it an affordable way to earn premium benefits and rewards on par with industry leaders. (See Rates and Fees).

Luxury travelers who want to ball out on a budget.

If you really don’t want to cough up hundreds of dollars for the annual fee, then consider cards with low or no annual fees like Capital One’s other travel rewards credit cards.

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Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Best for business travel rewards

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The unlimited 2X miles you earn on all purchases can help businesses reap rewards on their spending and employee spending. 

Business owners and their employees who travel occasionally for work.

For no annual fee, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers a similar rewards rate, but has a $50,000 cap on your highest reward tier. If your business spends less, then it’s a worthy and cheaper alternative.

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Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Best for small businesses

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It’s a low-hassle business credit card. Earning a flat 2 percent back on all purchases makes for easy and consistent rewards on business expenses. 

Small-business owners who want to earn high cash back rewards and take advantage of competitive benefits without tracking bonus or rotating categories.

The Spark Cash Plus (See Rates and Fees) is a solid choice, but there are business cards available that tout no annual fees with similar rewards rates like the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card.

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Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Best for limited credit history

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It has a relatively low recommended FICO credit score of 580 to 740, and you'll get an automatic credit line increase review after six months.

The serious credit-builder who wants to improve their score with responsible use and healthy financial habits.

If you want to earn some rewards while you build credit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers modest cash back and a path to upgrade to an unsecured card after demonstrating responsible credit use.

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Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Best for bad credit

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It has a pretty low security deposit, even among secured credit cards, starting as low as $49, though you may have to put down $99 or $200 as well, depending on your credit score. This factor makes it easier for people with limited funds to start building credit.

Anyone who wants to start their credit-building journey and needs a low barrier of entry to do so.

If you can afford at least a $200 security deposit, the Citi® Secured Mastercard®* might be a better choice because of its slightly lower ongoing APR. On the other hand, the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card has an even lower APR with the same security deposit requirements.

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best flat-rate cash back for students

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Its 1.5 percent flat rate for all purchases and elevated cash back on Capital One Travel is a rarity for student cards. You can also earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.

Students who want to earn substantial cash back rewards right away without too much hassle.

If you’re a student that can handle rotating and bonus categories, the Discover it® Student Cash Back and SavorOne Student Cash Rewards cards will serve you well.

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Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best overall student card

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This student card offers exciting rewards rates on popular student spending categories — dining, streaming, grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) and entertainment. 

Independent students with the income to spend meaningfully in the boosted categories and take full advantage of the cash back rate.

Targeted spending can be difficult in the schedule of a busy student. A card like the Chase Freedom® Student credit card*, which rewards all purchases with 1 percent cash back and $20 Good Standing award every account anniversary for five years, is a solid alternative.

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Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for fair credit

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Its low entry barrier provides people with fair credit an opportunity to earn rewards without shelling out a super-high annual fee or turning to a secured credit card. (See Rates and Fees).

People with fair credit who want to improve their score while earning modest rewards.

While the QuicksilverOne is worth it if you have fair credit, you might be able to qualify for rewards with no annual fee if your score is on the cusp of good. We recommend its upgrade to the Quicksilver card (See Rates and Fees), which has the same rewards rate but with no annual fee.

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Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best secured card for flat-rate rewards

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The fact that you can build credit and earn some rewards for no annual fee. (See Rates and Fees).

People with bad, thin or no credit who can’t qualify for non-secured rewards credit cards.

The flat 1.5 percent cash rewards on a secured card is hard to beat, but the Discover it® Secured Credit Card may prove a worthy competitor. Its 2 percent back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1 percent) are key earning categories that edge out the Quicksilver Secured.

*All information about the Citi® Secured Mastercard® and Chase Freedom® Student credit card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.


What to know about Capital One credit cards

Capital One is a full-service bank that offers personal loans, checking and savings accounts, mortgages and credit cards. Established in 1994, it’s one of the relatively younger financial companies, but offers industry-leading products and credit cards.

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Bankrate Insight

Capital One was the fourth-best credit card issuer for customer satisfaction in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction study with rating of 616 on a 1,000-point scale.

Types of Capital One credit cards

Capital One offers a variety of credit cards spanning multiple categories. Here are just a few types of credit cards that Capital One offers.

Pros and cons of Capital One credit cards

Pros

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    Credit card variety: Capital One has a long lineup of cards designed for a variety of spending habits.

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    Credit range: Whether you have bad credit or excellent credit, Capital One has a card designed to help you achieve your financial goals.

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    Travel benefits: No Capital One cards charge foreign transaction fees, saving you 3 percent to 5 percent per transaction.

Cons

  • Annual fees: Many Capital One cards have an annual fee; however, some cards waive the fee in the first year or can easily be offset.

  • Higher-than-average APR: Many of the cards Capital One offers have a relatively high ongoing APR, so cardholders will want to avoid carrying a large balance.

  • Competition: Capital One only offers one high-end credit card, meaning its competitors may offer more in terms of rewards and overall value.

Tips on choosing the best Capital One card

If you’re loyal to Capital One or just ready to branch out with one of Capital One’s best credit cards, here are a few questions to ask yourself when choosing a card.

Do you want cash back or miles?

Capital One excels in cash back and travel credit cards. The question is, which one do you want to earn more? If you don’t have many travel plans in the future and just want to bring in cash for your spending, then stick with a cash back card. However, if you want to pay for upcoming trips with reward miles, then one of Capital One’s travel cards is your best option.

Are you willing to pay or offset an annual fee?

Some of Capital One’s best credit cards come with an annual fee. If you plan to take advantage of statement credits or perks with the card, make sure you can use enough of those rewards to offset the annual fee. If you want to just earn cash back or a few miles on your spending, a no-annual-fee card can serve you best. You won’t have to worry about a yearly charge and you can  focus on earning rewards.

What is your credit score?

Most of Capital One’s best credit cards require at least good credit. If your credit isn’t fair, good, very good or excellent, you might be able to get approved for a secured credit card or one of Capital One’s student credit cards.

  • Good or excellent credit: These Capital One cards will offer competitive rewards rates and attractive perks or card benefits. Some may carry an annual fee, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card (See Rates and Fees), but you might be able to offset that cost with earnings or annual credits.
  • Average or fair credit: Look for unsecured cards like the QuicksilverOne Rewards that can prove helpful in boosting scores past fair and into the good range.
  • Fair or lower credit: One of Capital One’s credit-building cards like the Capital One Platinum Credit Card or one of its secured cards may best suit your needs.
  • No or limited credit: A secured card like the Platinum Secured or Quicksilver Secured cards can help build credit over time. If you are a student with no credit history, you can choose from one of Capital One's student cards instead.

Still unsure if a Capital One credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Expert advice for Capital One cards

Capital One cards are certainly worth it. If you value cash back or high-earning travel cards, then there’s something from Capital One for you. Its selection of travel credit cards rival those from American Express and Chase while costing less in annual fees. Furthermore, its cash back dining card, the SavorOne Cash Rewards card, offers lucrative cash back at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), restaurants and on take out. If your spending fits into any of Capital One’s bonus categories in cash back or on travel, then it's certainly worth your time.

How we assess the best Capital One credit cards

Bankrate’s personal finance experts have evaluated the top Capital One cards according to our 5-star rating system. The list of criteria for rating credit cards includes:
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    Rewards
    We took note if the card offers cash back, travel points/miles or multi-purpose rewards for eligible purchases and the potential returns based on rewards rate (1 percent cash back per $1 spent, 1 mile per $1 spent, and so on).
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    Perks and benefits
    The best Capital One cards offer extras such as retail discounts, extended warranties* on purchases, travel insurance and financial management tools.
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    Annual fee
    Our editors made sure to note if the cards they chose charged an annual fee and if so, how much the card’s overall value and benefits might offset the fee.
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    Introductory offers
    We took a look at if the card has a sign-up bonus, welcome offer or similar sign-up incentive and how much it adds to the card’s overall value.
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    Variable APR
    How the card’s annual percentage rate (APR) compares with current averages gives an indicator of cost and value.
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    Foreign transaction fee
    In an effort to pick cards that had minimal fees outside of any warranted costs for card value like an annual fee, we noted if the card charges a foreign transaction fee for international purchases and how the fee affects the card’s overall value.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

*Automatically extends the original manufacturer's warranty on eligible purchases made with this card. 

For 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.

Frequently asked questions about Capital One credit cards