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Capital One QuicksilverOne vs United Club: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards: This card is ideal for everyday spending and for those looking to build their credit.
- United Club: This card is designed for frequent United Airlines travelers who value airport lounge access and other travel perks.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a closer look at why we recommend the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards.
- The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards is accessible to applicants with average credit, offering a pathway to earning rewards while building a credit profile.
- It features a simple, flat-rate cash back program that applies to all purchases, removing the complexity of tracking bonus categories.
- The card is a solid choice for international travel as it does not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
Pros
- It's a great option for those with average credit looking to build a stronger credit history, with features like automatic credit line reviews.
- The cash back rewards are easy to redeem and don't expire for the life of the account.
- Cardholders get access to exclusive travel and entertainment booking opportunities through Capital One's dedicated portals.
Cons
- The card charges an annual fee.
- It lacks a welcome bonus and an introductory APR offer for new cardmembers.
- The ongoing interest rate is high, making it less than ideal for carrying a balance.
United Club Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes this card a top choice for United loyalists.
- It provides complimentary access to United Club and partner lounges, making travel days more comfortable.
- The United Club℠ Card comes with a variety of premium travel perks, including priority airport services and free checked bags.
- Cardholders can earn qualifying points toward United elite status, rewarding them for their loyalty.
Pros
- Complimentary United Club membership provides access to an extensive network of airport lounges.
- Enjoy premium travel perks like a complimentary checked bag allowance and priority airport services.
- Card spending provides a pathway to earning Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward MileagePlus Premier status.
Cons
- The card’s high annual fee may be difficult to justify for those who do not fly United frequently enough to maximize its lounge benefits.
- Benefits are heavily focused on United Airlines, offering limited value to travelers who are not loyal to the airline or its Star Alliance partners.
- Compared to other premium travel cards, its reward-earning categories are narrow, and there are caps on earning elite status qualifications through spending.
United Club vs Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards
Categories
When deciding between these two cards, the question of which is better, Capital One QuicksilverOne or United Club, ultimately depends on your personal spending habits and travel preferences.
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for individuals with average credit who are looking to build their credit history. It's also a solid choice for everyday spenders and international travelers who want a straightforward rewards card.
- The United Club℠ Card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who value premium travel perks. This card is ideal for travelers seeking benefits like airport lounge access and priority services.
Redemption
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed at any time and for any amount. You can receive your rewards as a statement credit or a check, providing simple and flexible options.
The United Club℠ Card: As a travel-focused card, its rewards are earned as miles that are best redeemed for United flights. These miles can also be used for other travel-related purchases, such as seat upgrades and hotel stays.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.
- Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with any card using your actual spending history—before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
- Personalized recommendations: Receive data-driven recommendations from an analysis of nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match for your spending patterns.
- Detailed approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report, helping you apply with confidence.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards when you shop at your favorite stores, which stack on top of your existing credit card rewards.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved through Kudos, the platform will match it.
Who Should Choose the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards?
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card is primarily designed for individuals with average credit who are looking to build their credit history while earning rewards. Its straightforward, unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases makes it a great fit for everyday spenders who value simplicity over complex reward categories. Additionally, cardholders who travel internationally or enjoy exclusive entertainment experiences will benefit from the card's lack of foreign transaction fees and access to Capital One's travel and entertainment platforms.
Who Should Choose the United Club?
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailor-made for the dedicated United Airlines loyalist who frequently finds themselves navigating airports for business or leisure. This traveler values the oasis of a United Club lounge and appreciates practical perks like free checked bags and Premier Access® services that streamline the airport experience. Ultimately, it's for someone whose travel patterns align so closely with United and its partners that the card's specific benefits outweigh its high annual fee and less flexible rewards structure.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards vs. United Club card comparison has left you feeling like neither is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent credit cards out there that might better suit your spending habits and financial 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 – Ensure your score aligns with the card's requirements, which can range from average to excellent.
- Review issuer application rules – Be aware of any restrictions, as some issuers limit new offers for existing cardmembers.
- Plan your spending – If the card has a welcome offer, make sure you can meet the spending requirement with your normal purchases.
Application Strategy
- Time your application – Align your application with a large planned purchase to more easily meet a high spending requirement for a welcome offer.
- Don’t settle for a lower offer – If you see a subpar welcome offer, you can often decline it without a credit impact and try again later.
- Know your alternatives – If a premium card is out of reach, consider a card designed for average credit to build your history for future applications.
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 kind of credit is needed for the QuicksilverOne versus the United Club card?
The Capital One QuicksilverOne is designed for those with fair or average credit, making it more accessible. The United Club℠ Infinite Card, a premium travel card, generally requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.
How do the rewards programs compare?
The Capital One QuicksilverOne earns unlimited flat-rate cash back on all purchases. Conversely, the United Club℠ Infinite Card earns United MileagePlus miles, which are most valuable when redeemed for flights and travel upgrades.
Is the United Club℠ Infinite Card's annual fee worth the cost?
For frequent United Airlines travelers, the card's high annual fee is often justified by the value of its United Club membership and other premium travel benefits. Casual flyers might find the cost outweighs the perks.
Which card is better for a beginner?
For someone new to credit or rewards, the Capital One QuicksilverOne is a more straightforward choice with its simple cash back structure and lower credit requirement. The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailored for seasoned travelers loyal to United Airlines.
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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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