Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
vs. Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Students looking for a credit card that will help them build their credit score while enjoying cash back rewards may want to consider either the Chase Freedom® Student credit card or the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. MoneyGeek examines the features of these two credit cards to assist you in determining which one is best for your student needs.
Updated: December 5, 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 Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Freedom® Student Credit CardCapital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- 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 CreditGood–ExcellentLimited–Fair
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
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Get 5% cash back on Lyft rides until March 31, 2025.
Introductory Offers
- Earn a $50 bonus after making your first purchase within the first three months.
Perks & Benefits
- Receive a $20 Good Standing Reward after each account anniversary, up to 5 years.
- Enjoy a complimentary three-month DashPass membership.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- No annual fee.
Capital One Savor 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 Savor 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
- Comes with a welcome bonus
- Diverse bonus categories
- No rewards limit
- Includes security protections
Cons
- Potentially high APR
- Bonus cash back doesn’t extend to superstores
Rewards
- Earn 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Enjoy 8% cash back on entertainment purchases through the Capital One Entertainment portal.
Introductory Offers
- Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees.
Perks & Benefits
- Benefit from $0 Fraud Liability for unauthorized charges.
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card.
- Build your credit with responsible card use.
- Suitable for students at a 4-year university, community college, or other higher education institution.
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.
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.
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.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Capital One Savor 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:
Consumers who want to make purchases outside the United States since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
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.
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.
Is the Chase Freedom® Student credit card better than the 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.
Can you get the Chase Freedom® Student credit card if you have the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
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.
Can you transfer points from Chase Freedom® Student credit card to Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
Neither of these cards earn points. They are both cash back cards.
Can you switch from Chase Freedom® Student credit card to Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
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.
What’s harder to get, Chase Freedom® Student credit card or Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
Both cards are designed for students, making their barriers to entry fairly low.
How much do you have to spend for Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card to get the welcome bonus?
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.
Learn more about credit cards in general
About Doug Milnes, CFA
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.
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. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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