Is the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card better than the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card?

The best credit card for you will depend on your situation and needs as a cardholder. Both the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card and the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card are good options for students looking for a cash back card. However, if you have no credit history, then the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students may be the better option.

Can you get the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card if you have the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card?

Yes, you can. Generally, you can get credit cards from different issuers.

Can you transfer points from the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card to the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card?

Neither of these cards earn points. As you earn cash back on each card, they will accumulate in their respective accounts.

Can you switch from the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card to the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card?

Yes. You can also have both cards simultaneously since these two credit cards are from different issuers.

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One vs. Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: Which Is Best for You?

Q: What’s harder to get, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card or the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card?

Applying for both credit cards can be done online. Complete the forms on the companies’ websites. The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card offers pre-qualification. This isn’t possible for the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card.

Q: How much do you have to spend for the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card vs the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card to get the welcome bonus?

There are no welcome bonuses available on either card.

Two solid options for students looking for the best credit card are the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card and the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card. MoneyGeek compares these two and breaks down their features to help you decide which is the right credit card for your needs.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 11/6/2022

Reviewed By

Brett Holzhauer

Last Updated: 11/6/2022

Whether you are looking for your first credit card or searching for an additional card, it’s important to weigh your options well. Consider the features, fees and rewards to determine the best option suitable for your situation and needs.

This Journey Student Rewards from Capital One vs Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students comparison aims to help you see what each credit card has to offer so that you can decide which is the better choice. Both cards offer unlimited cash back, no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees. That said, each card also has unique features.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One at a Glance
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students at a Glance
Comparison Summary
Which Card Should You Get?

Comparison Overview: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One vs. Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Recommended Credit
Limited-Fair
None-Poor

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One At a Glance

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card is a good option for students with limited to fair credit history. It has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Additionally, you can earn unlimited cash back at a 1% rate.

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Best student credit card with up to 1.25% cash back
- Limited-FairRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- up to 1.25% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
- 1xRewards Rate on Groceries
Pros
Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases, with a jump to 1.25% cash back when you pay your bills on time.
There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee.
After six months, Capital One will reexamine your credit profile to see if you are eligible for a higher credit line. This can give students more purchasing power and flexibility without opening another card.

Cons
High APR on purchases
Lack of robust benefits
Cardholders receive 1% cash back on all purchases.
Pay your bill on time and receive a 0.25% cash back bonus on top of that.
$0 fraud liability policy provides peace of mind.
There are no foreign transaction fees, which is great for travelers.
You have unlimited access to CreditWise from Capital One so you can check in on your credit profile at any time.
There’s no cosigner required, although one may be helpful.
When making purchases online, you can generate virtual card numbers so that your actual card number is kept private.
Disclaimer: We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but card offers are always changing, and in some cases, the offer listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated student credit cards.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students At a Glance

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card is one of the best rewards cards specifically made for students. It can help you build your credit because the issuer doesn’t require a credit history for this credit card. Additionally, there is no annual fee.

If you travel frequently, you may also find having no foreign transaction fees as a great benefit. International students studying in the U.S. can also get this credit card since a Social Security Number (SSN) is not necessary when applying for this card. The card also offers 1% cash back on all purchases.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Best student cash back card for limited credit history
- None-PoorRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
- 1xRewards Rate on Groceries
Pros
Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases
There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee
You will have complimentary Amazon Prime Student for a year
Complimentary cell phone protection when you use your card to pay your cell phone bill
Do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) to apply
Access to Mastercard Platinum benefits

Cons
High APR on purchases
Students earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
There’s no annual fee, nor are there foreign transaction fees.
Cardholders receive Amazon Prime Student for one year.
Cell phone protection (up to $600) is included when you pay your phone bill with your card.
Mastercard Platinum benefits, such as rental car insurance, are included.
Easy-to-use app helps you manage your account and pause access to your card if you misplace it — all on the go.
Disclaimer: Card offers are always changing, and in some cases, the offer listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other student credit cards.

Comparison Summary

Knowing the differences between the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card and the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card can help you in your search for the best student credit card.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary
Rewards
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One gives cardholders 1% cash back on all purchases. There is no limit on the rewards you can get. If you pay on time, you may get a boost for a total of 1.25% cash back for the specific month.
Deserve EDU Mastercard for students offers 1% cash back on all purchases.
Winner: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Additional Features
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One gives a $60 streaming subscription credit. By paying on time, cardholders can earn $5 monthly for 12 months on select streaming subscriptions.
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students cardholders get a free Amazon Prime Student for a year and cell phone insurance. They also enjoy all the core benefits of Mastercard Platinum cardholders.
Winner: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Credit Score Requirement
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card is available to students with fair credit.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card is a good beginner credit card because students with no credit history may qualify for it.
Winner: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Which Card Should You Get?

The best credit card varies per person. When deciding between Journey Student Rewards from Capital One or Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students, you should consider your unique situation and needs.

Who Should Consider the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One?

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card doesn’t have an annual fee, making it suitable for students looking to earn cash back. It’s also a great option for those who plan on traveling abroad.

Students looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases can find the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card a good choice. It earns 1% cash back, which can grow into 1.25% if you pay your bills on time.
Students planning on traveling or studying overseas can enjoy no international transaction fees the card offers.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

Who Should Consider the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students?

Depending on your situation, the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card may be right for you. It’s a great option for international students studying in the U.S. and those looking for a beginner rewards card for students with no credit history.

International students who are currently studying in the U.S. can get the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card without worrying about a SSN.
Students who are looking for a rewards credit card that is suitable for individuals starting their credit journey. The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card accepts applications from people with no credit history.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

EXPERT OPINION

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card offers a much better value than the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card as it comes with cell phone protection, one year of Amazon Prime student and 1% cash back. While the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card offers 0.25% higher cash back when you pay on time, the difference isn’t worth sacrificing the benefits offered by the Deserve card.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions about the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card vs. the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card. Use the following information to compare the differences between the two and figure out which one is the best credit card for you.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

Both the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card and the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card offer cash back opportunities. They also have no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. However, if you’re looking for credit cards that offer other types of bonuses and benefits, consider a rewards credit card.

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

Capital One. "Journey Student Credit Card from Capital One." Accessed January 6, 2022.
Deserve. "Deserve Credit Cards." Accessed January 5, 2022.

*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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.
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