Is the Chase Freedom® Student credit card better than the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card?

Both the cards have no annual fee and offer 1% unlimited cash back. However, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%, which makes the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card a significantly better choice for those traveling overseas. But with a $50 sign-up bonus on the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, the better card may be the Chase Freedom® Student credit card.

Can you get the Chase Freedom® Student credit card if you have the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One?

The Freedom Student and Journey Student Rewards cards are issued by seperate credit card companies, so yes, you can have both.

Can you switch from the Chase Freedom® Student credit card to the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One?

Yes. However, they are nearly the same card, so switching may not be overly beneficial.

What’s harder to get, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card or the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card?

Both cards are designed for students with little to no credit history, so both cards have similar requirements to be approved.

Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: Which Is Best for You?

Q: How much do you have to spend for the Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs Journey Student Rewards from Capital One to get the welcome bonus?

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus. The Chase Freedom® Student credit card offers a $50 bonus after making one transaction of any amount within the first three months.

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.

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

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.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview
Chase Freedom® Student credit card at a Glance
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One at a Glance
Comparison Summary
Which Card Should You Get?

Comparison Overview: Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
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
Good–Excellent
Limited–Fair

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
- 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
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated student credit cards.

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

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 Detail	Comparison 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

EXPERT OPINION

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.

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sources

Chase. "Chase Freedom® Student credit card." Accessed January 7, 2022.
Capital One. "Journey Student Credit Card from Capital One." Accessed January 7, 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.
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