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Capital One QuicksilverOne vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for everyday spending and international travel, particularly for those with average credit.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best suited for frequent Delta flyers who want to take advantage of travel benefits and pursue elite status with the airline.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards is a solid choice.
- The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees) is accessible to those with average credit, making it a useful tool for building a positive credit history.
- It offers a simple rewards structure that allows you to earn cash back on every purchase without worrying about rotating categories.
- Cardholders can also take advantage of travel and entertainment benefits, including access to exclusive events and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- It’s designed for users with average credit, providing a great opportunity to build a stronger credit profile through responsible use and automatic credit line reviews.
- Earning rewards is straightforward with a flat-rate structure on every purchase, so you don’t have to keep track of complicated bonus categories.
- Cardholders get access to exclusive travel and entertainment perks, and rewards can be redeemed at any time with no minimum amount.
Cons
- It comes with an annual fee and carries a high interest rate, which can outweigh the rewards earned if you carry a balance.
- New cardholders do not receive a welcome bonus or an introductory APR offer, which are common perks offered by competing cards.
- The flat-rate rewards structure may be less beneficial for users whose spending is heavily concentrated in specific categories that other cards reward at a higher rate.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we recommend this card for Delta loyalists.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates & Fees) offers a variety of travel perks that significantly enhance the flying experience on Delta.
- Its annual companion certificate is a standout feature, offering substantial value for those who travel with a companion each year.
- The card also provides an accelerated path toward Medallion status and includes valuable statement credits for everyday 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.
Pros
- Valuable Companion Travel: The card includes an annual companion certificate upon renewal, which can be used for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight, often providing value that outweighs the annual fee.
- Enhanced Airport Experience: Cardholders enjoy a smoother journey with perks like a free first checked bag on Delta flights for the primary cardmember and companions on the same reservation, as well as priority boarding.
- Accelerated Path to Status: For those chasing elite status, this card offers a boost toward earning Delta Medallion Status, helping you unlock premium benefits more quickly.
Cons
- Best for Delta Loyalists: The card comes with a significant annual fee, and its value is primarily geared toward travelers who fly with Delta multiple times per year.
- Limited Premium Perks: Unlike top-tier travel cards, it doesn’t include complimentary Delta Sky Club® access, and the annual companion certificate comes with notable restrictions.
- Complex Reward Categories: Some users may find it challenging to track the card’s category-specific spending limits to maximize rewards.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better, Capital One QuicksilverOne or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, comes down to your personal spending habits and financial goals. One card is designed for straightforward earning on everyday purchases, while the other is tailored for maximizing travel benefits with a specific airline.
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for credit builders. It's designed for those with average credit who want to improve their score through responsible use while earning rewards on their spending.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is ideal for frequent travelers. This card is best suited for loyal Delta flyers who want to enhance their travel experience and earn rewards toward future trips.
Redemption
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: With this card, your rewards are simple cash back that can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check, giving you direct and flexible value from your spending.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Rewards are earned as miles that can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines, making it ideal for those who want their spending to fund future travel.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.
- Test drive credit cards: The “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate how much you would earn with a new card by using your actual transaction history to project annual rewards, all without a hard credit pull.
- Personalized card matching: By securely connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your spending patterns to match you with the cards that will earn you the most rewards.
- Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of getting approved for a card with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you get approved for a card through Kudos and find a better public welcome offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards?
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card is primarily designed for individuals with average credit, typically in the 580-670 score range, who are looking to build their credit history while earning rewards. It's also a solid choice for those who value simplicity in their rewards structure or travel internationally, thanks to its flat-rate cash back and no foreign transaction fees. With unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, this card suits everyday spenders who don't want to track rotating categories.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is an ideal choice for dedicated Delta loyalists looking to enhance their travel with airline-specific perks like priority boarding and free checked bags. It’s especially beneficial for couples or families who can take advantage of the annual companion certificate and for status seekers chasing Delta Medallion status through card spending. Ultimately, the card best serves moderate-to-heavy spenders with good to excellent credit who can maximize rewards and utilize statement credits to justify the annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Capital One QuicksilverOne vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison has left you undecided, don't worry. There are several other excellent cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and goals.
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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 – Know whether the card you want requires average, good, or excellent credit.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Review issuer rules – Some issuers have restrictions on welcome offers if you have or have had their cards before.
Application Strategy
- Target cards that align with your credit profile and spending habits.
- Look for elevated Welcome Offers through targeted links or special promotions.
- Be aware of issuer-specific policies, such as Amex’s once-per-lifetime Welcome Offer rule.
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 do I need for the QuicksilverOne and Delta SkyMiles Platinum cards?
The Capital One QuicksilverOne is generally designed for those with fair to good credit, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval. Your individual credit history will be a key factor for either card.
Is the annual fee on the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card worth it?
The value of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card's annual fee depends heavily on your travel habits. If you frequently fly with Delta and can take full advantage of benefits like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags, it can easily offset the cost. Terms apply.
Which card is better if I'm new to credit cards?
For those new to credit cards or building their credit, the Capital One QuicksilverOne is often the more accessible option due to its simpler rewards structure and less stringent credit requirements. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is a more advanced travel card suited for established credit holders with specific travel goals.
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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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