Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2026?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a look at why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a solid choice.

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• It's an excellent entry-level option for travelers loyal to Southwest who want to earn rewards without committing to a premium card's annual fee.
• The card comes with useful annual perks like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits that add to its overall value.
• Every point you earn, including from the welcome bonus, counts toward qualifying for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®, which can significantly cut down on travel costs.

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Pros

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• Points can be redeemed for any available seat on any flight, offering great flexibility without blackout dates.
• Provides valuable travel and purchase protections, including coverage for delayed baggage and extended warranties on eligible items.

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Cons

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• It offers limited premium travel benefits, lacking perks like airport lounge access and upgraded boarding.
• Points provide the most value when redeemed for Southwest flights, with less flexibility for other rewards.
• The card is not ideal for international travel as it does not waive foreign transaction fees.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, depends entirely on your personal spending habits and financial goals.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is designed for students who are new to credit and want to build their financial history responsibly.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best suited for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly fly with Southwest Airlines and want to earn travel-specific rewards.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: With this card, you earn straightforward cash back. You can redeem your rewards for any amount, typically as a statement credit or a check.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card earns points directly into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. These points are primarily used for booking flights with the airline, but can also be used for other travel-related redemptions.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To help you decide, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• 'Test drive' credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for students with limited credit history looking to build their credit file, 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 and worldwide acceptance. Additionally, students who travel can take advantage of 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, all while earning a simple, flat 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers, budget-conscious travelers, and those just starting their journey with travel rewards cards. It's particularly well-suited for individuals aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned with the card count toward the qualification threshold. Ultimately, this card serves as a valuable entry point for Southwest loyalists who want to maximize their rewards without committing to a high annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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So you've reviewed the Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus comparison and neither card feels like a perfect match. Fortunately, the world of credit cards is vast, with many other excellent choices for students and travelers alike.

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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.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Requirements can range from fair to excellent, so it’s best to know your score before applying.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Make sure you can meet any minimum spending requirements naturally through your regular budget.
• Review eligibility restrictions - Be aware of issuer-specific rules, which may relate to your student status or the number of cards you’ve recently opened.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules, as some have limits on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Prepare necessary documentation, especially if applying for a card that requires student status verification.
• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements more easily.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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What kind of rewards do I earn with each card?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student card earns unlimited cash back on every purchase, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card earns Rapid Rewards points that can be redeemed for flights with Southwest Airlines.

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Is there an annual fee for either card?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student card generally does not have an annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for students. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card does charge an annual fee.

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Which card is better for building credit as a student?

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While both cards can help build a credit history with responsible use, the Capital One Quicksilver Student card is specifically designed for students who may be new to credit. It may have more accessible approval requirements than a dedicated travel rewards card.

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Can I use the rewards from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card on any airline?

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No, the points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card are exclusive to the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards loyalty program. They can only be used for Southwest flights and other redemptions offered by the airline.

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