Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2026?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This card packs a lot of value into a mid-tier travel card, and here’s a closer look at why we think it’s a strong contender.

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• It offers a straightforward rewards structure with flexible redemption options that are easy to understand and use.
• The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card comes with valuable annual travel credits that can help offset its cost.
• Cardholders who also bank with Bank of America can unlock significantly higher earning rates through the Preferred Rewards program.

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Pros

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• Offers enhanced reward-earning potential for eligible Bank of America customers.
• Provides valuable travel benefits, including statement credits and travel insurance protections.
• Features a simple rewards program with broad bonus categories and flexible redemption options.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs, which can limit redemption options for travelers.
• Lacks premium travel perks commonly found on other travel cards, such as airport lounge access.
• The card’s highest earning potential is reserved for existing Bank of America customers, making it less rewarding for others.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Bank of America Premium Rewards, depends entirely on your financial profile and spending habits.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is tailored for students who are looking to build their credit history for the first time. It's an excellent starting point for those currently enrolled in a college or university.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card - This card is best suited for frequent travelers and those with established credit. It offers benefits geared toward individuals who often spend on travel and dining.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: As a cash back card, you can redeem your rewards for a statement credit or a check, offering straightforward value.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers flexible redemption options for its points, including travel bookings, cash back, and gift cards. Cardholders may also receive enhanced value on redemptions depending on their banking relationship with Bank of America.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using a data-driven explorer tool, ensuring you find the best match for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can test drive a credit card to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your actual spending data.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Approval Odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your card's rewards when you shop at your favorite stores.

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 who are just starting to build their credit profile, particularly those with a limited or fair credit history. It's also a strong contender for international students or those planning to study abroad, as it comes with no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, students who travel can benefit from its elevated cash back rates on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want a straightforward way to earn rewards without paying a high annual fee. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America or Merrill customers, as they can leverage the Preferred Rewards program to earn a 25% to 75% bonus on all points earned. Those who appreciate simplicity will also find this card appealing, as its points have a fixed value and can be easily redeemed for cash back, statement credits, or travel.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our deep dive into the Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Bank of America Premium Rewards comparison has you convinced that neither card is a perfect match, let's explore a few alternatives.

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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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• Check your credit score - Requirements vary, with some cards designed for fair credit and others needing a good to excellent score.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet any welcome offer spending requirements without going into debt.
• Review eligibility rules - Some cards have specific requirements, such as proof of student status or extra documentation for international applicants.

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Application Strategy

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• Target the right card for your profile. Some cards are designed for students building credit, while others are better for those with an established financial history.
• Leverage existing banking relationships. Certain issuers may offer enhanced rewards for existing customers, boosting your card's value.
• Don't force a bad fit. If a welcome offer's spending requirement is unrealistic, consider a card that better aligns with your budget.

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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Which card is better for building credit?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for those new to credit, making it a strong option for building a credit history. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is geared toward users with established credit, typically requiring a good to excellent score.

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What credit score is needed for these cards?

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Applicants with a fair or limited credit history may be approved for the Capital One Quicksilver Student card. In contrast, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card generally requires a good to excellent credit score, which is often considered to be 690 or above.

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Do these cards have annual fees?

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There is no annual fee for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card does have an annual fee, which helps cover its premium travel benefits and statement credits.

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