Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs United Club Infinite: Which Is Better In 2026?

United Club Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes this card a strong contender for United loyalists.

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• The complimentary United Club membership provides access to a global network of lounges, significantly enhancing your pre-flight experience.
• Cardholders receive Premier Access® travel services, which offer a more streamlined and convenient journey through the airport.
• The United Club℠ Card is packed with perks specifically designed for those who frequently fly with United Airlines and its partners.

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Pros

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• Complimentary United Club℠ membership provides access to a global network of airport lounges.
• Free first and second checked bags for the primary cardholder and a companion, plus Premier Access® for priority airport services.
• Accelerated rewards on United purchases and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite status.

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Cons

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• A high annual fee that requires frequent use of the card's perks to be worthwhile.
• Card benefits are heavily skewed toward United Airlines, limiting its value for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• Fewer bonus categories for earning rewards on everyday spending compared to some competing premium cards.

United Club vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Secured or United Club Infinite, it's crucial to understand that these cards serve entirely different purposes and are designed for specific types of consumers.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a secured card designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. It allows users to establish responsible credit habits while also earning cash back rewards.
• The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium travel card best suited for frequent United Airlines flyers who value luxury perks. It's aimed at consumers who want to maximize their benefits, such as airport lounge access and other elite travel services.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which can be redeemed flexibly for options like a statement credit or a check.

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card: This card earns miles that are redeemed through the United Airlines MileagePlus program, primarily for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related purchases.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare nearly 3,000 cards using your own spending data to find the best match.

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• Test drive a credit card: See personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your real spending history, all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Financial management tools: Track your spending, monitor your transactions and credit score, and get actionable insights based on your spending habits.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. It's particularly well-suited for those who don't want to miss out on earning rewards, offering a competitive 1.5% cash back rate on all purchases. This card is ideal for someone who can provide a refundable security deposit and plans to pay their balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers, whether they travel for business or leisure several times a year. These travelers will get the most value from the complimentary United Club membership, free checked bags, and priority services that can easily offset the annual fee. Additionally, international travelers and those pursuing MileagePlus Premier status will find the card's benefits, such as Star Alliance lounge access and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points, particularly rewarding.

Alternatives to Consider

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Our comparison of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Card vs. the United Club℠ Infinite Card highlights two very different options. If neither a secured credit-building card nor a premium travel card is the right fit, here are a few other alternatives to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – You’ll typically need good to excellent credit, as premium cards often have stringent approval standards.
• Review issuer application rules – Be aware of specific application restrictions that could affect your eligibility.
• Plan your spending strategy – Ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirement to earn a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Use pre-approval tools – Check your eligibility without a credit score impact, a feature offered by issuers like Capital One.
• Be patient for the best offer – Some application processes let you decline a low bonus and try again without a credit score impact.
• Evaluate the long-term fit – A card with premium perks is only worthwhile if its benefits, like the United Club access, align with your lifestyle.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What kind of credit score do I need for these cards?

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The United Club Infinite Card is geared toward those with excellent credit, while the Capital One Quicksilver Secured is designed for individuals with fair or limited credit history who are looking to build their credit.

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Are there annual fees for these cards?

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Yes, the United Club Infinite Card has a premium annual fee to cover its extensive travel benefits. In contrast, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured has no annual fee.

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How do the rewards differ between the two cards?

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The United Club Infinite Card earns United miles and offers luxury travel perks, making it ideal for frequent flyers. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured earns a flat rate of cash back on all purchases and does not focus on travel rewards.

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