Capital One Quicksilver vs Amex Plum: Which Is Better In 2026?

The Plum Card® from American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like The Plum Card® from American Express (See Rates & Fees).

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• It offers unique payment flexibility that can help businesses better manage their cash flow.
• The card provides adaptable purchasing power that adjusts based on your business's spending and payment history.
• It's a great option for businesses with international expenses, as it does not charge foreign transaction fees.

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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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Pros

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• Offers unique payment flexibility, allowing you to either pay early for a discount or take extra time to pay your balance without interest.
• Features no preset spending limit, so your purchasing power can adjust based on your business's spending and payment history.
• Includes employee cards at no additional cost and has no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee.
• Lacks a traditional rewards program for earning points or miles.
• American Express cards may have lower merchant acceptance compared to Visa and Mastercard.

The Plum Card® from American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

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Categories

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When comparing these two cards, the question of which is better, Capital One Quicksilver or Amex Plum, comes down to whether your spending is for personal or business needs.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for everyday spenders who value simplicity. It's a great fit for individuals who want a straightforward cash back card without having to track rotating categories.
• The Plum Card® from American Express is tailored for business owners who need financial flexibility. It's ideal for established businesses with irregular cash flow or those that make large monthly purchases and can benefit from flexible payment options.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: You can redeem your cash back rewards in several flexible ways, such as receiving a statement credit or a check.

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The Plum Card® from American Express: This card offers a unique reward structure where you receive a discount on your statement for paying your balance early.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, 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: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you would earn with a specific card using your actual spending data.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Personalized card matching: Discover new credit cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your spending history.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for the everyday spender who values simplicity and wants a straightforward, flat-rate cash back program. It's particularly well-suited for those who prefer not to track rotating bonus categories or manage complex rewards systems. Additionally, travelers can benefit from this card as it charges no foreign transaction fees, making it a reliable option for use abroad.

Who Should Choose the The Plum Card® from American Express?

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The Plum Card® from American Express is tailored for established business owners who require significant flexibility in managing their expenses and cash flow. It's particularly valuable for companies with irregular revenue streams or those that make substantial monthly purchases, as its benefits are maximized with higher spending. Ultimately, this card is best for businesses with good to excellent credit that can pay their bills in full but need the option to either pay early for a discount or defer payment to align with their cash flow cycles.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Quicksilver vs Amex Plum comparison didn't point you to the perfect card for your business, don't worry. There are several other excellent options available that might better suit your spending habits and cash flow needs.

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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: Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Review eligibility rules: Be aware of any issuer-specific restrictions that might affect your eligibility for the card or its welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Align your application with planned large purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Choose the right card type: Select a card that aligns with your spending habits, whether you prefer simple flat-rate rewards or have specialized business needs.
• Prepare for the application: Gather any necessary personal or business financial information beforehand to streamline the process.

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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Which card is better for a new business?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is often a better starting point for new businesses due to its straightforward cash back and no annual fee. The American Express® Plum Card® is designed for businesses with fluctuating cash flow, which might be more complex than what a new venture needs (Terms apply).

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Can I have both the Capital One Quicksilver and the Amex Plum Card?

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Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously, as they are issued by different banks. This strategy can be beneficial if you want to take advantage of the unique features of each card for different types of business expenses.

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What credit score do I need for the Quicksilver and Plum cards?

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Both cards generally require a good to excellent credit score, typically 670 or higher. Final approval, however, depends on a variety of factors beyond just your credit score, including your income and overall credit history.

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