The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Capital One’s student credit cards allow new cardholders to experience the benefits of using a credit card by charging no annual fee, and offering a solid and straightforward rewards earning structure.

MoneyGeek helps compare Journey Student Rewards from Capital One and Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards based on their associated fees, benefits and rewards earning rate. For example, both require no annual fees, and have the same APR purchase rate. The Journey Student Rewards, however, has a separate cash back welcome offer for those who plan to use the card on select streaming services. The Quicksilver Student Rewards, on the other hand, has a higher cash back rate which may suit those who have a high monthly spending.

Comparison Overview: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One vs. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
    Capital One Quicksilver 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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Journey Student Rewards from Capital One At a Glance

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is a solid card of choice for those with fair credit or are just starting their credit building journey. Along with benefits that come with a Capital One credit card, the card earns unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, and charges no annual fee. You can also boost your cash back earnings to 1.25% by making minimum payments on time. Card members can monitor their credit profile, and with responsible use of the card, can apply for a higher credit limit in as fast as six months. Since it has no international transaction fees, international students or those who plan to travel may benefit from this card.


  • Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

    Best student credit card with up to 1.25% cash back


    • up to 1.25% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Limited–FairRecommended Credit

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card At a Glance

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards is a student credit card version of Capital One’s flagship credit card, the Quicksilver Rewards. It has an unlimited cashback rate of 1.5% on every purchase which you can redeem through either a statement credit or check. It has no annual fee and the same APR rate of 26.99% like the Journey Student Reward card. The Quicksilver Student Rewards has a solid list of benefits that might be useful to a student such as travel insurance and a complimentary concierge service.


  • Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

    A practical no-annual-fee student credit card with cash back


    • 1.5%–10% cash backRewards Rate
    • 19.99%–29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Limited–FairRecommended Credit

Comparison Summary

MoneyGeek breaks down the difference between Capital One's Journey Student Rewards and Quicksilver Rewards to help you decide whether it’s the student credit card that best matches your needs.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary

Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection

Both cards offer almost the same travel coverage benefits including the 0% foreign transaction fees, cardmember lounge access and emergency card replacement. However, the Quicksilver Student Rewards has complimentary concierge services and travel insurance which can be useful when traveling.

Winner: Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards

Welcome Bonus

Neither card has a sign up bonus. However, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card, gives you a $5 monthly streaming service credits for the first 12 months.

Winner: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Rewards

With Journey Student Rewards, you can earn 1% cash back. Pay your bills on time and you can boost the cash back rewards rate to 1.25%

With Quicksilver Student Rewards, you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases.

Winner: Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards

Which Card Should You Get?

Whether you choose the Journey Student Rewards or Quicksilver Student Rewards, the decision boils down to your financial needs.

Who Should Consider the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One?

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is best for people who are beginning to build their credit and want to earn unlimited cash back on any purchases. And any student who fits into these categories:

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    For people who manage their bills better and pay on time, the Journey Student Rewards incentivizes cardmembers and boosts the cash back rewards from 1% to 1.25%.

  • man icon

    For people who already use streaming services, they can benefit from the $5 credit each month for the first 12 months.

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    For people looking to establish a strong credit history and plan to apply for a higher credit line, or a better card with a lot more benefits.

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    As it comes with a 0% foreign transaction fee, cardmembers who plan to study or travel abroad can benefit from this card.

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

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards is designed for students with little to no credit history and could benefit from a higher cash back rate.

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    For students with high annual spending, they could benefit from earning higher cash back from the card's 1.5% flat-rate rewards structure.

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    For those who enjoy attending events, the card provides access to premium experiences like sporting events and concerts.

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    For those who want a solid list of benefits like travel accident insurance, the Quicksilver Student Rewards card may be a better option.

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EXPERT OPINION

The clear winner here is the Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards card for its higher cash-back rate, as well as its benefits. However, if you’re looking to fully maximize your spending for even higher value rewards, you may consider getting a different card once your credit is up to speed.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

Getting a student credit card and working your way towards a good credit score is a great financial move. But as you’re exploring the differences between Journey Student Rewards from Capital One and Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards, the following questions may come up.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

If you are looking for a card that helps you build your credit history and eventually help you qualify for better terms, both the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One or Capital One Quicksilver Student Rewards are great starter cards to consider. However, with the same high APR rate, it’s not recommended to carry your balances on both of these cards. You may want to explore other reward credit cards or cash back credit cards that could offer higher rewards rate and lower APR.

Learn more about credit cards in general

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*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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