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Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for students looking to build credit while earning simple, flat-rate cash back on all their purchases, with no annual fee.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This is a great starter travel card for those who want a simple way to earn travel rewards on everyday spending without an annual fee.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we think this card is a great option for students.
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees) offers a simple way to earn cash back on every purchase without tracking complicated categories.
- It’s an excellent tool for students to build their credit history, as payment activity is reported to the three major credit bureaus.
- Cardholders can enjoy premium travel and entertainment benefits, which are features not typically found on student credit cards.
Pros
- Offers a simple, flat-rate cash back rewards structure on all purchases, eliminating the need to track complicated spending categories.
- Designed to help students establish and build their credit history by reporting to all three major credit bureaus.
- Includes premium perks not typically offered on student cards, such as access to exclusive entertainment events and travel rewards.
Cons
- Eligibility is restricted to currently enrolled students who can provide verification.
- Approval may depend on your credit history, and initial credit limits can be on the lower side.
- Carries relatively high fees for cash advances.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.
- You can carry this card without paying an annual fee and use it for international purchases without incurring extra charges.
- The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card offers a simple, flat-rate rewards structure on all purchases, so you don't have to worry about tracking bonus categories.
- Redeeming your rewards is straightforward and flexible, allowing you to cover a wide variety of travel and dining purchases without being tied to a specific booking portal.
Pros
- This card is a cost-effective choice for travelers as it comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- The rewards program is refreshingly simple, offering a consistent earning rate on all purchases and flexible redemption for a wide range of travel and dining expenses.
- New cardholders can earn an introductory bonus, and existing Bank of America customers have the opportunity to earn rewards at an accelerated rate.
Cons
- The card offers a flat rewards rate on all purchases, which means you won't earn extra on travel or dining. The best earning rates are reserved for those who already have significant assets with Bank of America.
- It doesn't come with premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or robust travel protections that are common with other travel-focused cards.
- You can't transfer your points to airline or hotel partners, which limits your ability to redeem for high-value awards like business-class flights.
Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Capital One Quicksilver Student or Bank of America Travel Rewards, comes down to your primary goals as a cardholder. Each card is tailored for different needs, from students building credit to casual travelers seeking simple rewards.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for students who want to build their credit history while earning straightforward cash back rewards. It is a student-friendly option with premium benefits, making it ideal for those seeking a simple rewards card.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card is a great fit for beginners and occasional travelers who want a simple travel card with flat-rate rewards. It is also particularly beneficial for existing Bank of America customers and is available in a student version for those building credit.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which can be redeemed in a variety of flexible ways, including as a statement credit or a check.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card earns points that can be redeemed for a statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases, offering a simple way to offset your trip expenses.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of cards using your own spending data.
- Test drive any credit card with your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Track your progress toward credit card sign-up bonuses and monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.
- Unlock exclusive offers and incentives, like a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card is an ideal choice for students looking to build their credit history with a straightforward, easy-to-manage card. It's particularly well-suited for international students studying abroad, as it has no foreign transaction fees, and for frequent student travelers who can take advantage of 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Overall, this card is for any student who wants to earn simple, flat-rate cash back on all their spending without the burden of an annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America Travel Rewards?
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers who prefer a simple, one-card strategy without the hassle of tracking bonus categories. It’s also ideal for budget-conscious users seeking a card with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees for occasional international trips. This card is particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers who can earn more through the Preferred Rewards program and students who are just starting to build their credit history.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Bank of America Travel Rewards comparison shows that neither card is the right fit for your wallet, don't worry. Several other excellent student credit cards are 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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Ensure your credit profile aligns with the card's typical requirements.
- Review eligibility rules: Some cards have specific requirements, like student status, that you may need to verify.
- Plan your spending: Have a clear strategy to meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer naturally.
Application Strategy
- Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
- Be prepared for verification: Some applications, like for student cards, may require additional documentation.
- Leverage existing relationships: Check if being an existing customer unlocks enhanced rewards, like with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program.
Our Methodology
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.
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
What credit score do I need for the Capital One Quicksilver Student and Bank of America Travel Rewards cards?
Both cards are designed for students who are building credit, so you may be able to qualify with a limited credit history or a fair credit score. Approval ultimately depends on the issuer's specific criteria and your overall financial profile.
Do the Capital One Quicksilver Student and Bank of America Travel Rewards cards have an annual fee?
No, neither the Capital One Quicksilver Student card nor the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students charges an annual fee. This makes them both cost-effective options for students managing a budget.
Are these cards a good choice for studying abroad?
Yes, both cards are excellent for international travel as neither charges a foreign transaction fee. This can save you a significant amount of money on purchases made outside the United States.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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