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Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Capital One Savor: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for students looking to build credit while earning a flat cash back rate on all purchases and enjoying no foreign transaction fees.
- The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for earning high cash back rates on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at why we think this card is a great option for students.
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards is designed specifically for students, making it a great tool for building a credit history while in school.
- It offers a simple, flat-rate cash back structure on every purchase, so you don't have to worry about tracking complicated reward categories.
- The card includes valuable travel perks not often found on student cards, making it a solid choice for studying abroad or booking trips.
Pros
- Designed for credit-building: The card is accessible to students with limited or fair credit and reports to all three major credit bureaus, helping you establish a positive credit history with responsible use.
- Simple rewards structure: You’ll earn flat-rate cash back on every purchase without having to track or activate rotating bonus categories.
- No foreign transaction fees: It’s an excellent choice for studying abroad or traveling internationally, as you won’t incur extra charges on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- Student-only eligibility: You must be an enrolled student to apply, which can be a barrier if you’re about to graduate or not in school.
- Limited bonus rewards: The card’s elevated cash back rate is restricted to specific travel purchases made through Capital One’s portal.
- Potentially low starting limit: Your initial credit limit may be low, and approval can be difficult for students with no credit history at all.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons we like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card.
- The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for earning rewards on everyday spending categories like dining and entertainment.
- Cardholders also gain access to exclusive entertainment events and experiences.
- With no foreign transaction fees, it's a valuable companion for your travels abroad.
Pros
- Flexible redemption options allow you to get your cash back easily, without minimums.
- Comes with useful travel and purchase protections, adding a layer of security to your spending.
- Cash back can be converted to miles if you also hold an eligible Capital One travel card.
Cons
- You'll likely need a good to excellent credit score to be approved.
- Bonus cash back for grocery stores doesn't apply to purchases at superstores or wholesale clubs.
- The rewards structure is fixed, which may not benefit those whose spending falls outside the card's bonus categories.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Capital One Savor, depends entirely on your primary spending habits.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for general, everyday spending without needing to track specific categories. It also offers enhanced rewards on certain travel purchases made through the Capital One Travel portal.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for those who spend frequently on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores. It also provides bonus rewards on popular streaming services.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: You can redeem your cash back for any amount, at any time, for either a statement credit or a check.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check, with the added option to set up automatic redemptions at a set time or threshold.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To find the best card for your unique spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your real spending data.
- Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can test drive a card to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your actual transaction history, with no hard credit pull required.
- Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
- Sign-up incentives: New users can earn a $20 reward by signing up with the code "GET20" and making an eligible purchase of $30 or more. You can also unlock a $100 Kickstart+ bonus by adding select approved 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 excellent choice for students with a limited credit history who are looking to establish their credit file. It's also particularly well-suited for international students or those planning to study abroad, as the card has no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, students who travel can benefit from earning 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, a key feature highlighted in a comprehensive review of the card.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a strong contender for foodies and entertainment lovers with good to excellent credit. Its generous and unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores is perfect for urban professionals or active families who want to earn rewards on their everyday lifestyle spending. Furthermore, frequent travelers will find value in the card's lack of foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for international trips.
Alternatives to Consider
If you've considered the Capital One Quicksilver Student vs. Capital One Savor comparison and found that neither card is the right fit, there are several other great alternatives to explore.
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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 score, but some are designed for building credit.
- Confirm your eligibility: Some cards have specific requirements, like being a student or holding another card with the issuer.
- Have a rewards plan: Know how you will use the card's benefits to make sure it fits your spending habits.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically: Apply before a large purchase to help meet any early spending requirements.
- Understand merchant category codes: Be aware that some retailers, like superstores, may not qualify for bonus rewards categories.
- Don't settle for a lesser offer: Some issuers let you see your offer before a hard credit pull, allowing you to decline and try again later.
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
Do I need a good credit score for the Capital One Quicksilver Student or SavorOne Student cards?
Both cards are designed for students who are new to credit or have fair credit. While approval isn't guaranteed, you generally don't need an extensive credit history to qualify for either card.
Is there an annual fee for either the Quicksilver Student or SavorOne Student card?
No, neither the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card nor the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has an annual fee. This makes them both excellent, budget-friendly options for students.
What happens to my student credit card after I graduate?
You can continue using your student card as usual after you graduate. Capital One may also automatically review your account for an upgrade to a non-student card with potentially better 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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