Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Is Better In 2026?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "509", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Exceptional Value"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is a standout travel card.

‍

• Its rewards program is exceptionally flexible, offering multiple ways to redeem for travel and more.
• The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card includes a strong set of travel protections that add a layer of security to your trips.
• It provides a fantastic entry point into travel rewards, balancing valuable perks with a straightforward approach.

‍

‍

Pros

‍

• Points can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering excellent redemption flexibility.
• The card comes with a suite of travel protections, providing peace of mind for trip cancellations, car rentals, and more.
• As a Visa card, it’s widely accepted in the U.S. and abroad, making it a reliable choice for international travel.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card carries an annual fee, making it less ideal for those who don't travel enough to offset the cost.
• It lacks premium perks like airport lounge access, which are common on higher-tier travel cards.
• Some benefits can only be redeemed through the Chase travel portal, which may limit flexibility.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Chase Sapphire Preferred, depends on your personal spending habits and financial goals. Each card excels in a different area, catering to very different types of users.

‍

• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for students who are just starting to build their credit history. It provides a simple way to earn rewards on everyday purchases without needing to track complicated categories.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is an excellent choice for those diving into the world of travel rewards. It's designed for frequent travelers who want to maximize points on travel and dining expenses.

‍

Redemption

‍

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: With this card, you earn cash back that can be redeemed in a straightforward manner, typically as a statement credit or a check.

‍

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card earns points that offer flexible redemption options, primarily geared towards travel, such as booking trips through the Chase portal or transferring them to airline and hotel partners.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

Kudos is a financial companion platform designed to help you compare and select the best credit cards for your unique spending habits.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data to see a personalized rewards projection.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Spending and credit score tracking: Monitor your transactions, spending patterns, and credit score from one dashboard.
• Personalized card matching: The platform matches you with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your spending history.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card is an excellent choice for students looking to establish a credit history, as responsible use is reported to all three major credit bureaus. It's also particularly valuable for international students or those studying abroad, who can take advantage of the card's no foreign transaction fees. Overall, any student wanting a straightforward card for everyday spending will benefit from its flat-rate 1.5% cash back and no annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

‍

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is an excellent entry-level travel card for frequent travelers who want substantial rewards without a premium annual fee. This cardholder also maximizes their earning potential on everyday spending, taking advantage of bonus rewards on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries. For a moderate $95 annual fee, it’s a perfect fit for someone seeking robust travel protections and flexible redemption options through Chase Travel℠ or transfer partners.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Chase Sapphire Preferred comparison highlights two very different cards, but what if neither one is your perfect match? Fortunately, the credit card landscape is vast, with numerous alternatives that could be a better fit for your wallet.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["510", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["$300 Annual Travel Credit", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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 to confirm you meet the card’s general approval criteria.
• Review issuer restrictions, as some banks have rules regarding how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Plan your spending to meet any welcome offer requirements and maximize the card’s benefits.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Heed issuer-specific rules, like the Chase 5/24 rule, to avoid an automatic denial.
• Time your application to coincide with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Use pre-qualification tools whenever possible to check for offers without impacting your credit score.

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

‍

Who is the Capital One Quicksilver Student card best for?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students and those with limited credit history who want to build credit while earning simple cash back rewards without an annual fee.

‍

Who is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card best for?

‍

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for individuals with an established credit history who travel often and want to earn valuable points on travel and dining.

‍

Can a student apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card?

‍

While anyone, including a student, can apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, approval typically requires a good-to-excellent credit score and a sufficient income, which can be a high bar for many students to meet.

‍

‍