Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: 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 build credit with simple, flat-rate cash back on everyday spending and no annual or foreign transaction fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is best for frequent Delta flyers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy premium travel perks like a companion certificate and free checked bags. Terms apply.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3059", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Student Credit Builders", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee"} ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards.
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards is designed specifically for students, making it an excellent tool for building a credit history.
- It offers simple, flat-rate cash back on every purchase, so you don't have to worry about tracking rotating categories.
- With no foreign transaction fees, it's a great companion for students who study abroad or travel internationally.
Pros
- Earn bonus cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Cardholders are automatically considered for a higher credit line, which can help build credit responsibly.
- Get access to exclusive tickets and VIP packages with Capital One Entertainment.
Cons
- Applicants must be able to verify their student status to qualify.
- Cash advances come with a relatively high fee.
- Approval may require at least a fair credit score.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "789", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Convenient Travels"} ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It comes packed with a variety of travel perks that significantly enhance the experience when flying with Delta.
- The card's annual companion certificate and various statement credits can provide substantial value for frequent travelers.
- For those loyal to the airline, it provides an accelerated path toward Medallion status and offers 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
- The annual Companion Certificate offers significant value by providing a companion flight each year upon renewal.
- Enjoy an enhanced travel day with perks like a first checked bag free on Delta flights and priority boarding.
- The card provides an accelerated path to earning Medallion Status for loyal Delta flyers.
Cons
- It carries a significant annual fee, so its value is best realized by those who frequently fly with Delta.
- Key benefits like the companion certificate are subject to restrictions, and some statement credits are issued in monthly increments, which can make them difficult to maximize.
- The card does not offer complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® lounges.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding between a student card and a premium travel card can be tricky. To help you figure out which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, let's look at who each card is designed for.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students who are just starting to build their credit. It's a great option for those new to credit, including international students, who want a straightforward way to establish their financial history.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best suited for frequent travelers who are loyal to Delta Air Lines. It offers premium travel perks and helps cardholders accelerate their path toward elite status with the airline.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: As a straightforward cash back card, your rewards can be redeemed at any time and for any amount. You can receive your cash back as a statement credit to lower your account balance or request a check.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card earns miles within the Delta SkyMiles program, which are best used for booking flights with Delta or its partner airlines. The redemption process is geared toward maximizing travel value rather than simple cash back.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're looking to take the guesswork out of choosing a new credit card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of options based on your actual spending.
- Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your real transaction history—all without a hard credit pull or application.
- Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed, data-driven analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through the platform, Kudos will match it.
- Personalized card matching: The platform analyzes your spending history to match you with cards that will earn you the most rewards.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card points when you shop at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards is an ideal choice for students looking to build their credit history, as Capital One reports to all three major credit bureaus. It's also particularly well-suited for international students or those planning to study abroad, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Additionally, students who prefer a simple, flat-rate rewards program will appreciate the unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with the added bonus of 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is tailor-made for loyal Delta flyers who travel several times a year and want to enhance their journey. These travelers, often couples or families, can extract significant value from the annual companion certificate and perks that accelerate the path to Medallion status (Terms apply). Additionally, the card suits moderate-to-heavy spenders who can maximize rewards on travel and everyday purchases while taking full advantage of the various statement credits to offset the annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, you're in the right place. Let's explore a few other excellent cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and financial goals.
[[ 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 - Most cards require a good to excellent score, but some are designed for fair credit.
- Review eligibility rules - Some cards have specific requirements, like student status or limits on earning welcome offers.
- Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer.
Application Strategy
- Time your application before a large purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- If you don't see the best offer initially, try different methods or check back later as offers can change.
- Align your application with your profile, whether you're a student building credit or a frequent traveler with an established credit 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
Which card is better for building credit?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is specifically designed for students looking to build their credit history. The American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card, on the other hand, typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.
What are the annual fees for these cards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card generally has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for students. In contrast, the American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card comes with a significant annual fee that supports its premium travel benefits.
How do cash back and airline miles differ?
Cash back rewards, like those from the Capital One Quicksilver Student card, offer straightforward value as a statement credit or direct deposit. Airline miles, such as Delta SkyMiles, are redeemed for flights and travel, with their value fluctuating based on how they are used.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
