Chase Freedom® Student credit card

vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

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ByDoug Milnes, CFA
Reviewed byBrett Holzhauer
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ByDoug Milnes, CFA
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Reviewed byBrett Holzhauer
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Updated: March 19, 2024

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Compare these two big credit cards' features, fees, rewards, and expenses to see which one is best for your needs.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card provides 3% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, in addition to 1% cash back for all other transactions.

While every purchase you make with your Chase Freedom® Student credit card earns you 1% cash back, it's a Visa card with no yearly cost and a simple one-time offer that's worth considering.

Comparison Overview: Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Chase Freedom® Student credit card
    Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
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  • Travel Rewards
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Chase Freedom® Student credit card At a Glance

If you're a college student looking to earn rewards without having to bother with activating or tracking specific spending categories, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card card is for you. Every purchase you make earns 1% cash back. Rewards never expire, and there is no minimum amount to redeem for a cash back bonus.


  • Chase Freedom® Student credit card

    A solid card with rewards students are sure to appreciate


    • 1-5% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 19.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    Pros

    • Small, but attainable welcome offer
    • Simple rewards structure with no cap
    • Anniversary bonuses for good standing
    • No annual fee

    Cons

    • Low rewards rate
    • No intro APR
    • Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases
    • Earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides (ends March 31, 2025)
    • Earn $50 bonus after making your first purchase within the first three months
    • No annual fee
    • Receive a $20 Good Standing Reward after each account anniversary (up to 5 years)
    • Complimentary three-month DashPass membership

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card At a Glance

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Cards is the best option for cardholders who prioritize dining and entertainment with no annual fee. You will receive 3% cash back at restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as 1% cash back at grocery shops and major streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. In addition, Vivid Seats customers may get 8% cash back on tickets until January 2023.


  • Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

    Great no-annual-fee student card with generous cash back rewards


    • 1% to 8% cash backRewards Rate
    • 19.99% to 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Limited–FairRecommended Credit

    Pros

    • No annual fee
    • With welcome bonus
    • Diverse bonus categories
    • No rewards limit
    • Includes security protections

    Cons

    • Potentially high APR
    • Bonus cash back doesn’t extend to superstores

    Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024 Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal Build your credit with responsible card use Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you

Comparison Summary

Using MoneyGeek's breakdown of the differences between the Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can evaluate which is the ideal student credit card for your situation.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary

Foreign Transaction Fee

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a smart choice for international transactions since it doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card has a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Winner: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Bonus

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students doesn’t have a welcome bonus. In comparison, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card gives a $50 incentive after your first purchase within three months.

Winner: Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Rewards

With the no-annual-fee Capital SavorOne Rewards for Students credit card, you will receive unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores, plus 1% on all other purchases.

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card offers simple incentives for students. You get 1% cash back on all transactions and a $50 incentive on your first purchase within three months. There's also no minimum expenditure or yearly charge. Also, keep your account active, and you'll get a $20 bonus on your first five account anniversaries.

Winner: Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Annual Fee

You will not be charged an annual fee from either card.

Winner: Tie

Which Card Should You Get?

​It's critical to analyze your status and needs while deciding between the Chase Freedom® Student credit card and Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card has several key advantages, like unlimited rewards and no annual fees. Because of its unlimited cash back advantages, the card could be beneficial for your daily purchases.

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    Every purchase you make with your Chase Freedom® Student credit card earns you 1% cash back. Spending and bonus categories aren't necessary; use your card and automatically get cash back rewards.

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    To qualify for a bonus on a credit card, most demand a considerable amount of spending. Within three months of opening an account, you'll get a $50 incentive if you make your first purchase.

Who Should Consider the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card may be a solid choice for students, especially if these benefits and features appeal to you:

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    Consumers who want to make purchases outside the United States since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

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    Each purchase made with this card gives you a 1% cash back minimum. Additionally, you'll get 3% cash back on specific categories and purchases.

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EXPERT OPINION

If you plan to hold this card for several years and spend regularly on the card, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card will likely net a higher cash back return. If you only want to have the card for a short time to possibly upgrade to a different credit card, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card may be a better choice because of the $50 welcome bonus.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

Selecting a student credit card might be challenging. MoneyGeek addresses some commonly asked questions to assist you in better understanding the Chase Freedom® Student credit card and Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.

If you want to receive cash back rewards on purchases made outside of the United States without incurring a transaction fee, then you may choose Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is another option for students looking to build their credit history while earning rewards.

Yes, you may apply for both cards if you believe they'll be useful to you. However, if you've been authorized for five or more credit cards in the last 24 months, you will not be eligible for a Chase credit card.

Neither of these cards earn points. They are both cash back cards.

No, you can’t switch from Chase Freedom® Student credit card to Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. However, you can submit separate applications to both issuers and have both cards at the same time.

Both cards are designed for students, making their barriers to entry fairly low.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn’t come with a welcome offer. The Chase Freedom® Student credit card offers a $50 bonus after your first transaction in the first three months.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card and the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card are both excellent student credit cards. However, if you're seeking more ways to earn benefits, try obtaining other student rewards credit cards.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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