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Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Business Green Rewards: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards: This card is ideal for students looking to build credit with simple, flat-rate cash back on everyday spending and travel.
- Business Green Rewards Card by American Express: This card is designed for small business owners who want to earn flexible rewards points on business expenses, particularly on travel booked through American Express Travel.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card.
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees) is a great option for students who want to build credit while earning straightforward cash back rewards on every purchase.
- It offers premium perks often reserved for non-student cards, such as exclusive entertainment access and no foreign transaction fees.
- Cardholders can redeem their cash back rewards with great flexibility, without needing to meet a minimum amount.
Pros
- Offers a simple, flat-rate cash back structure on all purchases, so you don't have to track rotating categories.
- Designed to help students with limited or no credit history establish a credit file.
- Provides flexible reward redemption options with no minimum amount required.
Cons
- Requires student status verification.
- May require a minimum credit score for approval.
- The elevated cash back rate only applies to specific travel bookings made through the issuer.
Business Green Rewards Card by American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the Business Green Rewards Card by American Express (See Rates & Fees) a solid choice.
- It provides an accessible entry point into the valuable American Express Membership Rewards program, making it a great starting card for businesses.
- The card offers flexible spending capacity that adapts to your business needs and payment history, which is a major perk over cards with traditional credit limits.
- Cardholders gain access to helpful business management tools, including the ability to add employee cards with customizable spending limits.
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.
Pros
- Helps build your business credit history, as it reports to business credit bureaus, keeping your business and personal finances separate.
- Features no pre-set spending limit, offering flexible purchasing power that adjusts based on your payment history and financial profile.
- Unlocks access to the valuable American Express Membership Rewards program and its renowned customer service.
Cons
- Features limited bonus categories and a lower base earning rate on most purchases compared to other business cards.
- Charges foreign transaction fees, making it less suitable for international business expenses.
- Lacks premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access or statement credits, that are common with other business cards.
Business Green Rewards Card by American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Categories
When trying to decide which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Business Green Rewards, it's important to understand that each card serves a very different purpose.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for students who want to build their credit history while earning cash back rewards. It is an ideal choice for students seeking a straightforward rewards card with some travel perks.
- Business Green Rewards Card from American Express: This card is designed for small business owners and frequent travelers. It's positioned as an entry-level business charge card for those who want to earn rewards on business expenses and access management tools.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check. The process is designed to be simple and flexible for students building their credit.
Business Green Rewards Card by American Express: Cardholders earn points in the American Express Membership Rewards program, which are known for their versatility. These points can be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programs or redeemed for travel, gift cards, and merchandise. Terms apply.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best match for your unique spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate how much you could earn with a new card before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
- Detailed approval odds: Receive an analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Maximize rewards at checkout: The Kudos browser extension can autofill the best card to use for each purchase to ensure you’re earning the most rewards.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
- $100 Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?
This card is tailor-made for students with limited or fair credit who want to build a solid credit history while earning simple rewards. Its straightforward structure, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, is perfect for those who prefer not to track complicated bonus categories. Furthermore, with no foreign transaction fees and 5% cash back on select travel bookings, it's an ideal companion for international students and those who frequently travel.
Who Should Choose the Business Green Rewards Card by American Express?
The American Express® Business Green Rewards Card is an ideal entry point for small business owners, freelancers, and sole proprietors looking to earn rewards without a high annual fee. It's designed for those new to the Amex ecosystem who have straightforward business expenses and want to build their company's credit profile. By providing access to the Membership Rewards program and basic business management tools, the card offers a solid foundation for growing ventures. Terms apply.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Business Green Rewards comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and financial goals.
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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: Most cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Review eligibility rules: Some cards have specific requirements, like student status or previous cardholder restrictions.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
Application Strategy
- Provide accurate information: Be prepared to verify details like student status or business information.
- Understand the card type: Know if you are applying for a traditional credit card or a charge card with different payment expectations.
- Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
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
Can I apply for a business credit card if I don't have a registered business?
Yes, you can often apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor using your Social Security Number. Many issuers approve freelancers, gig workers, or individuals with a side hustle who may not have a formal business structure.
How does a student credit card help build credit history?
Student credit cards report your payment activity to the major credit bureaus. By making on-time payments and keeping your balance low, you can establish a positive credit history, which is crucial for future financial goals.
Are there annual fees for student or business credit cards?
It varies by card; many student credit cards are designed with no annual fee to be accessible for those just starting out. Business credit cards, however, often have annual fees in exchange for more robust rewards and benefits.
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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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