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Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Delta SkyMiles Gold Business: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for students looking to earn simple, flat-rate cash back on all their everyday spending without worrying about rotating categories or foreign transaction fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: This card is best for small business owners who frequently fly with Delta and want to earn miles on business expenses like travel, dining, shipping, and advertising (Terms apply).
Capital One Quicksilver 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 great choice for students.
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees) is an excellent tool for students looking to establish their credit history with responsible use.
- It offers premium travel benefits and access to exclusive entertainment, features not typically found on a student-focused card.
- The card is a great companion for studying abroad or international travel, as it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- Simple, flat-rate cash back on every purchase with no rotating categories to track.
- Designed for students with limited or fair credit and helps build a positive credit history by reporting to the three major credit bureaus.
- Cardholders get access to exclusive entertainment events and other valuable protections.
Cons
- You must be a currently enrolled student to apply, and approval may depend on your credit history.
- The highest cash back earning potential is limited to travel booked through the Capital One portal.
- It doesn't come with an introductory 0% APR offer, and cash advance fees can be high compared to other cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a breakdown of why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express (See Rates & Fees) provides a range of travel benefits that make flying with Delta more convenient and rewarding.
- It’s equipped with practical business-specific features designed to simplify expense management and tracking.
- The card allows businesses to earn miles on everyday operational spending, not just on 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
- A generous Welcome Offer is available for new cardholders.
- Travel benefits enhance the Delta flying experience, including priority boarding and a free first checked bag.
- Business-centric features help simplify expense management, such as employee cards at no additional cost and spending controls.
Cons
- Premium travel benefits, such as complimentary lounge access and a companion certificate, are not included.
- It does not offer a statement credit for expedited security programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, a perk found on some competing travel cards.
- The reward-earning structure may be less competitive compared to other business cards, especially for spending outside of specific bonus categories.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Delta SkyMiles Gold Business, depends entirely on your personal or business spending habits and goals.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students looking to build their credit history while earning rewards. It is also a strong option for those studying abroad or who travel occasionally.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is tailored for small business owners who frequently fly with Delta Air Lines. The card focuses on providing essential travel benefits for business expenses.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back on every purchase. You can redeem your earnings for a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible value.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: This card earns miles that are deposited into your Delta SkyMiles account. These miles can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partners, seat upgrades, and other travel-related perks.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a more personalized approach, Kudos is a financial platform that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data to find the best match.
- Test drive credit cards: The platform's 'Test Drive' feature simulates your potential earnings with any card based on your actual spending history, all without a hard credit pull.
- Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your chances of being approved for various cards 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, the platform will match it.
- Exclusive rewards: Unlock special offers like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ and earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.
- Personalized recommendations: Receive data-driven card suggestions tailored to your unique spending habits.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card is tailor-made for college students who are just starting their credit journey and want a straightforward way to earn rewards. With its unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee, it's a low-maintenance option for managing everyday expenses while building a credit history. It's also an excellent choice for students studying abroad or those with international travel plans, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is a great fit for small business owners who are loyal to Delta but don't fly frequently enough to justify a premium card's high annual fee. These entrepreneurs prioritize practical benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding over luxury perks such as airport lounge access. It's also an excellent choice for businesses with multiple employees who travel occasionally, as it offers no-cost employee cards and rewards spending on common business expenses like shipping and advertising.
Alternatives to Consider
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express comparison highlights two very different cards. If neither is the right fit for your wallet, here are a few other excellent alternatives to consider.
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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 Eligibility Requirements - Confirm you meet all criteria, as some cards require student status or a registered business.
- Assess Your Credit Profile - Understand your credit score, as card requirements range from fair credit for student cards to excellent for premium travel cards.
- Review Issuer Rules - Be aware of any application restrictions, such as Amex's once-per-lifetime Welcome Offer policy.
Application Strategy
- Time Your Application - Plan to apply before a large purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements for a Welcome Offer.
- Leverage Soft Pulls - Look for application processes that use a soft credit check to show your offer first, letting you decline without a hard inquiry.
- Prepare for Verification - Have documentation ready if needed, like proof of student status for a student card or your business information.
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?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed specifically for students, making it an excellent choice for those just starting to build their credit history. The American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Card, on the other hand, is intended for established business owners with good to excellent credit.
What's the difference between cash back and airline miles?
Cash back from the Capital One Quicksilver Student card provides a direct, flexible reward, while airline miles from the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card are redeemed for flights and travel perks with Delta Air Lines. The best choice depends on whether you prefer flexible cash or travel-specific value.
Do I need a registered business to get the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card?
While you don't necessarily need a formal business structure like an LLC, you do need to have some form of business activity to qualify for the American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Card. This could include freelancing, side hustles, or selling goods online.
Are there annual fees for these cards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card typically has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for students. The American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Card has an annual fee, which covers its travel-centric benefits (Terms Apply).
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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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