Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Which Is Better In 2026?

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1010", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Popular Choice" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

This section breaks down why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (See Rates & Fees).

‍

• It offers a suite of travel-focused benefits that enhance the Delta flying experience.
• The card provides solid opportunities to earn miles on everyday purchases and travel spending.
• Cardholders can unlock extra value through unique statement credits and discounts on award travel.

‍

_{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

‍

• Enjoy complimentary checked bags and priority boarding on Delta flights.
• Unlock savings with discounts on award flights and statement credits on in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

‍

Cons

‍

• Lacks premium travel benefits such as complimentary lounge access or a companion certificate.
• Reward earning rates are less competitive for spending outside of Delta purchases.
• Does not include credits for expedited security programs or offer complimentary upgrade priority.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Capital One Quicksilver Student or Delta SkyMiles Gold, comes down to your personal spending habits and financial goals.

‍

• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is designed for students who want to build their credit history with a straightforward rewards card, and it's also a good option for those who travel.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best suited for frequent travelers loyal to Delta Air Lines, this card offers benefits tailored to enhance the flying experience.

‍

Redemption

‍

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which can be redeemed for a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible value for cardholders.

‍

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: This card earns miles that are primarily redeemed for flights with Delta and its partners, seat upgrades, and other travel-related experiences within the SkyMiles program.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

For those looking to find the perfect card, Kudos provides a data-driven card explorer tool to compare thousands of options based on your unique spending habits.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Simulate potential earnings with different cards using your actual spending data before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Automated card selection: At checkout, the Kudos browser extension can autofill the best card from your wallet to maximize rewards for that specific purchase.
• Credit score monitoring: Keep track of your credit score and financial health all within the platform.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card is ideally suited for students with limited or no credit history who want to build their credit file responsibly. It's also a strong contender for international students due to its lack of foreign transaction fees and for frequent student travelers who can take advantage of 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel. Ultimately, any student seeking a simple way to earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases while building credit will find this card to be a valuable financial tool.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is ideal for Delta loyalists who fly several times a year, as the free checked bag benefit alone can quickly offset the annual fee. It also rewards everyday spending, offering 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. As one card review notes, even casual flyers who want to improve their travel experience will appreciate perks like priority boarding and the TakeOff 15 benefit, which offers a 15% discount on award travel (Terms apply).

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Delta SkyMiles Gold comparison didn't point you to the perfect card, don't worry. There are plenty of other options that might be a better match for your wallet.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "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 ensure it aligns with the card’s typical requirements.
• Review issuer rules, as some have restrictions on earning welcome offers if you’ve had their cards before.
• Plan your spending to meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Use pre-qualification tools to gauge your approval odds without a hard inquiry when issuers offer them.
• Gather necessary documents ahead of time, especially for student cards that require proof of enrollment.
• Be patient for the best offer, as welcome offers can change and it pays to wait for an elevated one.

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

‍

Which card is better for someone new to credit cards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is generally better for beginners, as it's designed to help build credit and has no annual fee. Travel cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card are often more complex and better suited for those with established credit. Terms apply.

‍

Do I need a good credit score for these cards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student is designed for those with fair or limited credit history. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval. Terms apply.

‍

How do I decide between cash back and airline miles?

‍

Your choice depends on your spending habits and goals. Cash back offers straightforward, flexible rewards, while airline miles provide the most value when redeemed for flights with a specific carrier like Delta.

‍

What happens to the Capital One Quicksilver Student card after I graduate?

‍

After you graduate, Capital One may allow you to upgrade your student card to a non-student version, such as the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. This lets you keep your account history while potentially gaining access to different features.

‍

Can I have both a student card and a travel card?

‍

Yes, holding both cards can be a smart strategy for some people. You can use the student card for everyday spending and building credit, while reserving the travel card for booking flights and earning miles. Terms apply.

‍

‍