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

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "790", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Aligned Well With Business Needs" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (See Rates & Fees).

‍

• The card is packed with travel and business-centric benefits that align well with common company expenses and travel patterns.
• It provides a clear pathway to achieving Delta Medallion elite status through card spending, rewarding business loyalty.
• Cardholders receive a valuable companion certificate each year, a significant perk for business owners who travel with a partner or colleague.

‍

_{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

‍

• Includes a valuable annual companion certificate for a domestic round-trip flight upon renewal.
• Provides a spending-based pathway to help you achieve Delta Medallion elite status more quickly.
• Offers a range of travel benefits such as a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and statement credits for certain travel-related purchases.

_{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.}

‍

Cons

‍

• The card carries a significant annual fee that may not be worth it for businesses that can't maximize its travel perks.
• Key benefits, particularly the annual companion certificate, come with notable restrictions that limit their flexibility and overall value.
• Its value is heavily tied to Delta, making it less ideal for companies that aren't loyal to the airline or want more predictable reward redemptions.

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

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business, it's essential to recognize that these cards cater to completely different financial goals and lifestyles.

‍

• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is best for students who want to build their credit history while earning straightforward cash back rewards. It is designed for those with limited or fair credit who are currently enrolled in a college or university.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - This card is tailored for business owners who are frequent flyers with Delta. It focuses on providing travel-centric benefits and rewards for those loyal to the airline.

‍

Redemption

‍

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back. You can redeem your earnings for a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible options.

‍

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Miles earned are redeemed within the Delta SkyMiles program, primarily for flights with Delta and its airline partners. Other redemption options may include seat upgrades and other travel-related perks. Terms apply.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

Kudos is a comprehensive tool that allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, helping you find the optimal choice based on your personal spending habits.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can use your real spending data to simulate potential earnings from different cards. This feature provides a personalized calculation of your potential rewards without requiring a hard credit pull.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of signing up through the platform, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: The service provides a comprehensive analysis of your credit card approval odds based on your credit report.
• Exclusive rewards: Creating an account gives you access to features like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards and Kudos Boost for earning extra rewards on top of your card's benefits.
• Extensive card comparison: You can compare an unlimited number of cards, including over 95% that are not tied to affiliate commissions, without any impact on your credit score.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for students who are just starting to build their credit history. It's particularly well-suited for those who prefer a straightforward rewards program, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. Additionally, international students or those who frequently travel will find significant value in the card's lack of foreign transaction fees and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is tailor-made for business owners who are frequent flyers and loyal customers of Delta Air Lines. It's particularly valuable for small to medium-sized businesses that can take full advantage of perks like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags, though terms apply to these benefits. Business owners looking for a shortcut to Medallion status will also find the card's spending-based boosts to be a significant advantage.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express cards sit at opposite ends of the credit card spectrum, so it's understandable if neither is the right fit for you. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent alternatives that fall somewhere in the middle.

‍

[[ 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 student cards may have more flexible requirements.
• Review eligibility rules - Some cards have specific requirements, like student status or being a business owner.
• Assess your spending habits - Ensure the card’s benefits and rewards structure align with your lifestyle to maximize its value.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application - Plan to apply before a large purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Search for elevated offers - Be patient and use card discovery tools to find the best welcome offer available.
• Verify specific requirements - Confirm if a card is only for students or businesses before you apply.

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 with fair credit who are new to credit and want to earn simple, flat-rate cash back on their purchases while building their credit history.

‍

Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card worth the annual fee?

‍

For business owners who fly frequently with Delta, the card's benefits like the annual companion certificate, MQD Headstart, and free checked bags can easily outweigh its annual fee. Terms apply.

‍

Can I apply for both a student card and a business card?

‍

Yes, it is possible to hold both a student credit card and a business credit card, as they serve different purposes and are tied to different financial profiles (personal vs. business). Eligibility for each depends on meeting the specific issuer requirements for that card.

‍

What's the main difference between cash back and airline miles?

‍

Cash back rewards offer straightforward value that can be redeemed as a statement credit or direct deposit, providing maximum flexibility. Airline miles, on the other hand, offer potentially higher value when redeemed for flights, especially in premium cabins, but are less flexible and tied to a specific airline's loyalty program.

‍

‍