Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Amex Blue Cash Everyday: Which Is Better In 2026?

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (See Rates & Fees).

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• It offers a way to earn cash back on your spending without the commitment of an annual fee.
• The card provides solid cash back rewards on common, everyday spending categories like groceries, gas, and online shopping.
• New cardholders can take advantage of a valuable welcome offer and an introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers (Terms apply).

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• No annual fee, making it a great card to keep long-term without worrying about yearly costs (See Rates & Fees).
• A straightforward rewards structure that makes it easy to earn cash back on everyday spending categories.
• Access to additional perks like Amex Offers and purchase protection on eligible purchases (Terms apply).

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Cons

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• Spending caps on bonus categories can limit your total earning potential, especially for big spenders.
• Foreign transaction fees apply, making it a poor choice for purchases outside the U.S.
• Approval generally requires a good to excellent credit score.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Amex Blue Cash Everyday, it's important to understand the primary purpose each card serves.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for student credit builders. It's specifically designed for students who want to establish their credit file and build a positive history with responsible use.
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: This card is a top choice for cash back. It's geared towards those who want to earn rewards on their everyday spending at places like supermarkets and gas stations.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers flexible redemption options, allowing you to receive your cash back as a statement credit or a check. You can also set up automatic redemptions for a specific time or cash-back threshold.

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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit on your account. This makes it simple to use your rewards to reduce your overall balance.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the comparison process easier, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you find the best card for your spending habits.

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• The ability to 'test drive' credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months.
• Discover new credit cards with personalized matching based on your spending history.
• Compare an unlimited number of cards without it affecting your credit score.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for students with limited credit history who want to establish a strong credit file. It's particularly well-suited for international students or those studying abroad, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Additionally, students who travel can benefit from 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, while all users enjoy a straightforward unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express?

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The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is tailor-made for savvy spenders who want to earn cash back on daily expenses without paying an annual fee. It’s an ideal fit for families who frequent U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, as well as for avid online shoppers looking to maximize their rewards on retail purchases. With its straightforward rewards structure, the card also serves as a fantastic entry point for those new to the world of credit card rewards, provided they have a good to excellent credit score.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Amex Blue Cash Everyday comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent credit cards out there worth considering.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Know your credit score – Requirements can range from fair credit for student cards to excellent credit for premium rewards cards.
• Confirm your eligibility – Some cards have specific requirements, such as being a student or holding an account with the bank.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application wisely – Aligning your application with a large purchase makes it easier to earn a welcome offer.
• Check for soft-pull applications – Some issuers, like American Express, let you view your offer before committing to a hard credit check.
• Try different application methods – If you don’t get the offer you want, try applying through a different browser or a trusted platform.

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 credit score do I need for these cards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students building credit, often requiring a fair to good score. The American Express® Blue Cash Everyday® Card typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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Do the Quicksilver Student and Blue Cash Everyday cards have an annual fee?

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No, neither the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card nor the American Express® Blue Cash Everyday® Card charges an annual fee. For the American Express card, terms apply.

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Can I upgrade these cards in the future?

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Yes, cardholders can often request a product change later on. For example, you may be able to upgrade the Quicksilver Student to a non-student Capital One card or the Blue Cash Everyday to the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred® Card.

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