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Capital One Quicksilver Student vs United Club: 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 who want to build their credit while earning simple, flat-rate cash back on every purchase.
- The United Club℠ Infinite Card: This premium card is designed for frequent United flyers who want luxury travel perks like airport lounge access.
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 option for students.
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent tool for students to build their credit history with responsible use.
- It offers a simple, flat-rate cash back rewards structure on every purchase, which makes earning easy.
- With no foreign transaction fees, it's a great companion for studying abroad or any international travel.
Pros
- It’s designed for students who are new to credit, so you may be able to qualify even with a limited credit history.
- As you use the card responsibly, you may be eligible for automatic credit line reviews, which can help your credit score over time.
- Cardholders get access to unique perks like exclusive entertainment tickets and purchase protection on eligible items.
Cons
- Approval is limited to currently enrolled students, and you’ll likely need some existing credit history to qualify.
- While simple, the flat-rate rewards may not be the most valuable option if you spend a lot in specific categories like dining or groceries.
- Using the card for a cash advance can be a costly option.
United Club Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of this premium travel card.
- It offers complimentary United Club membership, providing a comfortable escape in airports around the world.
- Cardholders receive a suite of priority travel services that streamline the airport experience from check-in to baggage claim.
- The United Club℠ Card is packed with benefits specifically designed to enhance the travel experience for loyal United Airlines customers.
Pros
- Complimentary United Club membership offers a comfortable retreat in airports worldwide.
- A suite of priority travel services, including free checked bags, streamlines the entire airport experience from curb to gate.
- Robust travel protections and no foreign transaction fees make it an excellent choice for frequent flyers and international travelers.
Cons
- The card carries a significant annual fee that may be difficult for infrequent travelers to justify.
- Benefits are heavily skewed toward United Airlines, offering limited value for those who are not loyal to the carrier or its partners.
- Its rewards program is less flexible than some competitors, with limited bonus categories outside of United purchases.
United Club vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or United Club, comes down to your personal financial situation and goals. These two cards serve vastly different purposes, catering to completely separate types of consumers.
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students who are just starting to build their credit history. It helps establish a credit file by reporting to the major credit bureaus.
- The United Club℠ Card is a premium card best suited for frequent flyers and loyalists of United Airlines. It offers benefits tailored to those who travel often with the airline and value airport comforts.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: As a cash-back card, its rewards are straightforward and can be redeemed for a statement credit or a check. This provides simple, flexible value without navigating complex rewards programs.
The United Club℠ Card: This card earns miles that are redeemed through the United MileagePlus loyalty program. Miles can be used for flights, upgrades, and other travel experiences with the airline and its partners.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
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- Test drive credit cards: Use the Test Drive feature to simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending data, all before you apply.
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- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
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Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?
This card is ideally suited for students with limited or fair credit who want to build their credit history while earning simple, flat-rate rewards on everyday purchases. With unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and no annual fee, it’s a low-maintenance choice for those new to credit. The absence of foreign transaction fees also makes it a strong contender for international students and those planning to study abroad.
Who Should Choose the United Club?
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is an ideal choice for frequent United flyers, especially business travelers who value premium perks and comfort on their journeys. This cardholder typically flies with the airline several times a year, making the most of complimentary United Club access to work or relax, and relies on priority services to streamline their airport experience. Ultimately, it's for the dedicated United loyalist who regularly checks bags and can easily justify the annual fee through the card's robust travel benefits and accelerated mileage earning.
Alternatives to Consider
If neither the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card nor the United Club card is the right choice for you, don't fret. The Capital One Quicksilver Student vs United Club comparison pits a student card against a premium travel card, but plenty of other options exist in between.
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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 your credit score: Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending: Ensure you can comfortably meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer through natural purchases.
- Research redemption options: Have a strategy for how you will use your rewards to maximize their value.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of any issuer-specific guidelines regarding recent applications.
- Match the card to your profile: Choose cards that align with your lifestyle, whether you're a student building credit or a frequent flyer.
- Don't settle for a lesser offer: Some application processes may allow you to decline an offer without impacting your credit.
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
What credit score is needed for the Quicksilver Student vs. United Club card?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is generally for those with fair to good credit, while the United Club℠ Infinite Card typically requires an excellent credit score.
Do the Quicksilver Student and United Club cards have annual fees?
There is no annual fee for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. The United Club℠ Infinite Card, however, has a substantial annual fee to support its premium benefits.
Can I earn travel rewards with the Quicksilver Student card?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns cash back and has no foreign transaction fees, but it lacks the extensive travel perks like lounge access that come with the United Club℠ Infinite Card.
Who should get the Quicksilver Student card versus the United Club card?
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for students building credit and earning simple cash back. In contrast, the United Club℠ Infinite Card is designed for frequent United flyers who will take full advantage of its travel-centric benefits.
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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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