Best Capital One credit cards for December 2023

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.