Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Updated: March 19, 2024

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When considering the best student credit card for you, it’s best to analyze each card’s different rewards, features and fees. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% cash back on grocery stores, entertainment, dining and more. Meanwhile, Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students rewards cardholders with a complimentary Amazon Prime Student for one year.

Although there are differences between the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card and the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, both have no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and offer opportunities to earn cash back on all eligible purchases.

Comparison Overview: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
    Capital One SavorOne 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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Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students At a Glance

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card may benefit international students or students looking to build their credit. So if you have a poor credit score or no credit score, this card is a good option. The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students also has a 1% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee, no international transaction fees and free Amazon Prime Student for one year. Additionally, international students don’t need a Social Security number to apply.


  • Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

    Best student cash back card for limited credit history


    • 1% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 23.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • (No Credit History)Recommended Credit

    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.


    Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
    Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card At a Glance

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option for students who want to build their credit history and foreign students. The card offers no annual or foreign transaction fees, 3% cash back for dining and grocery stores and zero fraud liability. With Capital One, cardholders can even manage their account online through their mobile app.


  • Capital One SavorOne 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
    • This card is available for students attending a four-year university, community college or other higher education institutions.
    • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). All other purchases earn you 1% cash back.
    • The card doesn't charge annual fees, foreign transaction fees or hidden fees.
    • Benefit from a $0 Fraud Liability protection against unauthorized charges.
    • Earn $50 after spending $100 within the first three months.
    • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked using Capital One Travel. Terms apply.
    • Earn 8% cash back on your entertainment purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment portal.
    • Earn up to $500 annually by referring friends and family who get approved for a Capital One credit card.
    • You can improve your credit by using the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards responsibly.
    Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Comparison Summary

To help you find the best student credit card options, MoneyGeek compared the differences between the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card and the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary

Rewards rate

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card offers 1% cash back on all purchases.

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students card earns 3% cash back on entertainment, major streaming services, dining and in grocery stores.

Winner: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

Benefits

With the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card, you will get up to $600 in cell phone protection as long as you use your card to pay your monthly cell phone bill. You will also receive complimentary Amazon Prime Student for one year.

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students card allows you to redeem your rewards with PayPal and use your rewards for purchases on Amazon.

Winner: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Fees

Both cards have no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. However, Deserve charges up to $25 for late payments while Capital One charges up to $40. Both issuers have high APR rates for their cards, but Deserve charges a lower APR at 18.74% than the 26.99% APR Capital One charges.

Winner: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Application for international students

It’s easier for international students in the U.S. to apply for the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students credit card since it doesn’t require them to have a Social Security number.

Capital One doesn’t mention whether international students need a Social Security number to apply.

Winner: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

Which Card Should You Get?

It’s important to consider your finance needs and your situation when you compare the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card and the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Who Should Consider the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students?

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card is a solid choice, and it may be ideal for international students, students who travel abroad or students who want to build their credit history. There is no annual fee or international transaction fees, and a security deposit isn’t required when applying.

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    Unlike other credit cards, this card doesn’t have additional charges for purchases outside the U.S., which is ideal for students who travel frequently.

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    International students in the U.S. aren’t required to have a Social Security number when applying for this card.

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    Applying for this card doesn’t require a security deposit.

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

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card may benefit students who want higher cash back rewards, are constantly on the go, or regularly shop online.

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    The card offers students the opportunity to earn unlimited 3% cash back on popular streaming services, dining, at grocery stores and more. Students who use their SavorOne Rewards for Students card also receive 8% cash back for Vivid Seats tickets throughout January 2023.

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    Capital One has a mobile app that allows you to manage your account anytime. You can pay your bill, check your transactions and view your balance regardless of your location.

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    You can shop using your Capital One rewards to pay for Amazon purchases, redeem rewards with PayPal and use available coupon codes through Capital One Shopping.

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EXPERT OPINION

The cell phone insurance offered by the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students can be extremely valuable if your cell phone is damaged or stolen. However, if you don’t find value in this benefit, or the complimentary year access to Amazon Prime Student, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card easily trumps the Deserve card because of its broad 3% cash back categories.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

MoneyGeek listed some of the most asked questions about differences between the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card and the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card to help you determine which student credit card fits you best.

Is the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card better than the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
Can you get the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card if you have the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
Can you transfer points from the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card to the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
Can you switch from the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card to the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
What’s harder to get, the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card or the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
How much do you have to spend for Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students vs Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card to get the welcome bonus?

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card or the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card are solid options for students, especially those looking to build their credit history. However, if you’re unsure if either of these cards fit your needs, there are other student credit card options.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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.


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