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

Editor's Picks
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards is a great choice for students who want to earn simple, flat-rate cash back on all their purchases without worrying about rotating categories.
- Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards is ideal for students who spend frequently 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
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card.
- It’s a straightforward card designed to help students build their credit history with responsible use.
- The card offers a simple way to earn cash back on every purchase without tracking complicated categories.
- Cardholders can also enjoy premium benefits like access to exclusive entertainment and automatic credit line reviews.
Pros
- Accessible to students with limited or fair credit, making it a great first credit card.
- Simple, flat-rate cash back rewards structure with no rotating categories to track.
- Offers valuable perks not always found on student cards, including purchase protection and access to exclusive entertainment events.
Cons
- Applicants must be currently enrolled students to be eligible.
- Approval may be difficult for students with a very limited or poor credit history.
- The card lacks some perks found on competing cards, such as an introductory offer on purchases.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think this card is a top choice for students.
- The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards is an excellent tool for students to build their credit history while enjoying perks on common purchases.
- It's a great option for international students or those studying abroad since it accepts applicants with an ITIN and has no foreign transaction fees.
- Cardholders get access to helpful credit monitoring tools and automatic credit line reviews, which can support their financial journey.
Pros
- Offers bonus cash back on popular student spending categories like dining, entertainment, and select streaming services.
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday use and travel abroad.
- Provides access to credit-building tools like free credit monitoring and automatic credit line reviews, plus security features like virtual card numbers for online shopping.
Cons
- It typically requires a fair credit score, which may be a hurdle for students with limited or no credit history.
- A balance transfer fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate.
- Some spending categories have exclusions, and reward redemption options can be limited.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Capital One Savor Student, comes down to your personal spending habits.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards is ideal for students who want straightforward rewards on all their general purchases and offers elevated rewards on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal.
- Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards is tailored for students who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, though superstores are excluded.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards: Cardholders can redeem their cash back rewards in a few flexible ways, including as a statement credit or a check. You can redeem your rewards for any amount, at any time.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards: This card also offers straightforward redemption options with no minimum amount required. You can receive your cash back as a check or apply it as a credit to your statement.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To eliminate the guesswork, a financial companion like Kudos allows you to compare thousands of credit cards using your real spending data to find the best match.
- Test drive credit cards before you apply to see your potential earnings based on your actual transaction history.
- Receive personalized card recommendations and a detailed analysis of your approval odds.
- Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and stay on top of card perks.
- Get access to Kudos Boost, which provides additional rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
- Unlock incentives like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ and a welcome offer guarantee.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for college students who are just starting to build their credit history and want a straightforward way to earn rewards. With unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and no annual fee, it's a low-maintenance card perfect for everyday student expenses. It's also particularly well-suited for students studying abroad or those who travel, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is an excellent choice for college students who have at least a fair credit score and want to build a positive credit history. It's particularly valuable for those who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, allowing them to maximize cash back rewards. This card is ideal for students, including those studying internationally, who want to earn rewards on everyday spending without paying an annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
After reviewing the Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Capital One Savor Student comparison, you might find that neither card quite fits your needs. Fortunately, the student credit card market has several other strong contenders worth exploring.
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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: Student cards are often designed for those with limited to fair credit, but it's always best to know where you stand.
- Confirm your student status: You will likely need to verify that you are currently enrolled in a college or university to qualify.
- Assess your income: Be prepared to demonstrate that you have enough income or assets to cover your minimum monthly payments.
Application Strategy
- Know your credit history: These cards are often for students with fair credit, so having some credit history can be beneficial.
- Gather your documents: International students may be eligible to apply but might need to provide additional documentation.
- Think long-term: Some issuers allow you to upgrade your student card to a different product after you build a positive payment history.
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 credit history to apply for a Capital One student card?
No, you don't necessarily need a credit history. Capital One student cards are specifically designed for those who are new to credit or are in the process of building their credit profile.
What happens to my Capital One student card after I graduate?
Your card will remain active, and you can continue to use it after you graduate. Over time, you may also become eligible to upgrade to a non-student version of your card, which could offer different benefits.
Do the Capital One Quicksilver Student and SavorOne Student cards have an annual fee?
No, neither the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card nor the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card charges an annual fee.
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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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