Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: Which Is Best for You?
If you're a student with little or no credit history looking to establish credit while also earning rewards, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card and the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One cards are solid cards to get started with. Using MoneyGeek's comparison of these two student credit cards, you can choose one that best fits your financial needs.


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The Chase Freedom® Student credit card and Journey Student Rewards from Capital One cards are great for students who want to build credit while earning rewards. The Journey Student Rewards card doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, but its high APR may leave some consumers with a revolving balance uneasy. Conversely, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card has foreign transaction fees on all international purchases. Both cards offer an identical 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, making them quite similar.
MoneyGeek compares the two so you can decide which is best for you.
Comparison Overview: Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
- Chase Freedom® Student credit cardJourney Student Rewards from Capital One
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Chase Freedom® Student credit card At a Glance
Because of its simple unlimited 1% cash back rewards and no annual fee, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is excellent for college students. You will also receive a $20 bonus on each of your first five account anniversaries if you keep your account active and in good standing. However, a 3% foreign transaction fee applies to all purchases made outside of the United States.
- Chase Freedom® Student credit card
A solid card with rewards students are sure to appreciate
- Limited–FairRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
- 1xRewards Rate on Groceries
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One At a Glance
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and it’s most beneficial to students who make their payments on time. The cash back program allows you to earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, and if you pay on time, you’ll earn a total of 1.25% for that month. Paying on time will also earn you free streaming membership credits worth up to $60 per year.
- 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
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek’s Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One comparison below will be useful for those comparing the two cards, looking to choose one.
- Card DetailComparison Summary
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection
New purchases using the Chase Freedom® Student credit card are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim/$50,000 for each account. For trips canceled or cut short by a covered event, you can receive up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, non-refundable fares.
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card doesn’t come with any travel protection benefits.
Winner: Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Welcome Bonus
The Capital One Journey Students Rewards card offers no new cardmember bonus.
However, with the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, you will receive a $50 bonus after making one purchase within the first three months of account opening.
Winner: Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Rewards
With the Journey Student Rewards card, you get 1% cash back on all purchases, plus an additional 0.25% cashback if you pay your bills on time.
The Chase Freedom® Student credit card also gives you 1% cash back on every purchase you make.
Winner: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Annual Fee
Neither card has an annual fee.
Winner: Tie
Loyalty Programs
Both the cards do not belong to any loyalty programs. Instead, rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposit or checks.
Winner: None
Which Card Should You Get?
The answer will depend on what you look for in your student card. Each factor must be weighed before making a final decision.
Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?
MoneyGeek named the Chase Freedom® Student credit card one of the Best Credit Cards for Students and Young Adults. Aside from the fact that it doesn't work well for international transactions, it's a great option for the following students:
Students looking to improve their credit scores. By paying responsibly, you can build a credit history or improve your credit score.
Students who already have a credit card but are looking for one with a simple rewards program. The 1% unlimited cash back is an easy reward that can be redeemed for a statement credit or check.
Students who don’t travel internationally or make overseas transactions online.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One?
The no annual fee Journey Student Rewards from Capital One Card also comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it a great card to travel with. It’s also one of MoneyGeek’s Best Credit Cards for Students and Young Adults. The card is best suited for these types of students:
Students who travel internationally or make overseas transactions.
Students who pay their bills on time. The card rewards you with an extra 0.25% cashback for being a responsible payer, in addition to the 1% unlimited cashback.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Both of these cards are closely identical to one another, but given the instant $50 bonus you get with the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, that’s the card I would choose. However, be mindful that student credit cards aren’t designed to reward you a ton. They are designed to help you build your credit score. So once your credit score is in a solid place, consider moving on from your student credit card to a regular consumer credit card.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
For those who are still undecided, here are some things to keep in mind while analyzing the differences between the Chase Freedom® Student credit card and the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One credit cards.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
You may want to look at other student credit cards if you can't decide between Chase Freedom® Student credit card and Journey Student Rewards from Capital One. However, if you’re unsure if a student credit card is right for you, you may want to continue improving your credit score and be eligible for a cash back or rewards card.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
American Express® Gold Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Mastercard® Black Card™
Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Simmons Rewards Visa Signature®
Simmons Visa®
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
American Express® Business Gold Card
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Assent Platinum 0% Intro Rate Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Aer Lingus Visa Signature®
British Airways Visa Signature® Card
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Iberia Visa Signature® Card
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Citi® Double Cash Card
United℠ Business Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United℠ Explorer Card
United Gateway℠ Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Citi Premier® Card
Citi Rewards+® Card
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®
Destiny® Mastercard®
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
The Plum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®
Indigo Mastercard
Mastercard® Gold Card™
Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card
Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
Credit One Bank® NASCAR® American Express® Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
United Quest℠ Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card for Students
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express card
Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature Flagship Rewards card
Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Learn more about credit cards in general
sources
- Chase. "Chase Freedom® Student credit card." Accessed January 7, 2022.
- Capital One. "Journey Student Credit Card from Capital One." Accessed January 7, 2022.
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