Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Capital One Savor Student vs Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for students who want to build their credit history with spending on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium card designed for frequent travelers who also spend on dining.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3054", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Students", "headerHint" : "Cash Back Perks" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think this card is a great option for students.
- The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is specifically designed to help students build credit while earning rewards on everyday spending categories.
- It comes with valuable perks like no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, which is great for students studying abroad or making international purchases.
- Cardholders get access to a strong rewards program and other benefits like purchase protections and credit monitoring tools.
Pros
- Earns unlimited cash back on popular student spending categories like dining, entertainment, and streaming services, according to a recent review. Cardholders also get access to exclusive event tickets through the Capital One Entertainment portal.
- It’s designed to help students build credit, offering features like automatic credit line reviews and access to credit monitoring tools to track their progress.
- The card is accessible to international students who have an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number and includes modern perks like virtual card numbers for secure online shopping.
Cons
- It can be more difficult to qualify for than some other student cards, as it generally requires at least a fair credit score.
- A balance transfer fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate.
- Cash back rewards for grocery store purchases exclude some major superstores, and travel redemption options may be less flexible than with other cards.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "$300 Annual Travel Credit"} ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
- It offers a comprehensive suite of premium travel perks and protections designed for frequent travelers.
- The card's rewards program provides exceptional flexibility, allowing points to be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners.
- Beyond travel, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides access to exclusive events and valuable dining benefits.
Pros
- Offers comprehensive travel and purchase protections.
- Points can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, providing excellent redemption flexibility.
- Includes valuable lifestyle benefits like airport lounge access and exclusive access to dining and entertainment events.
Cons
- Carries a high annual fee, which may not be suitable for those who don't travel frequently.
- Approval generally requires an excellent credit score, making the card less accessible.
- The rewards structure can be complex, and some of the card’s benefits require enrollment to activate.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards
Categories
When trying to figure out which is better, Capital One Savor Student or Chase Sapphire Reserve, it's crucial to understand that they serve very different purposes. Each card excels in its own category, catering to distinct financial goals and lifestyles.
- Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students looking to build credit while earning rewards on everyday spending, especially on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card aimed at frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its extensive travel benefits, airport lounge access, and comprehensive protections.
Redemption
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card earns flexible points that are most valuable when redeemed for travel, either through the issuer's portal or by transferring them to airline and hotel partners.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the best choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending habits to find the perfect match.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see projected earnings before you apply.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores.
- Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.
- Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is tailor-made for the college student whose budget is heavily allocated towards dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and spending at grocery stores. It's an excellent fit for students who have already started building their credit history and have at least a fair credit score. Additionally, with no foreign transaction fees, it's a strong contender for students who study abroad or travel internationally.
Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is an ideal choice for frequent travelers who can maximize its premium benefits, such as comprehensive travel protections and elevated rewards on dining. Cardholders who value airport lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select membership and the flexibility of transferring points to airline and hotel partners will find this card particularly rewarding. However, points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this initial spending goes toward the card's up to $300 Annual Travel Credit.
Alternatives to Consider
The Capital One Savor Student vs Chase Sapphire Reserve® comparison pits a starter card against a premium travel card, so if you find yourself caught in the middle, you're not alone. Let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better match for your wallet.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]
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 to ensure it aligns with the card’s typical approval standards.
- Plan your spending to meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.
- Review the benefits to confirm the card’s perks fit your lifestyle and spending habits.
Application Strategy
- Confirm your eligibility for special requirements, such as student status for student-specific cards.
- Understand the issuer's process, as some allow you to see your offer before a hard credit inquiry.
- Be aware of issuer-specific rules that might affect your approval chances.
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
Can a student qualify for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card?
While not impossible, it's challenging for most students to qualify for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® due to its high credit score and income requirements. The Capital One SavorOne Student card is specifically designed for students who are building their credit history.
Is it possible to have both the Capital One SavorOne Student and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
Yes, it is possible to hold both cards, and they can complement each other well. You could use the SavorOne Student for its bonus categories like dining and entertainment and the Sapphire Reserve® for travel purchases and its premium benefits.
How do the rewards from these two cards work?
The Capital One SavorOne Student card earns cash back, which can be redeemed for statement credits or a check. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which provide flexible options like transferring to travel partners for potentially greater value.
When should I upgrade from a student card to a premium travel card?
Upgrading to a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® makes sense once you have an excellent credit score, a stable income, and travel often enough to take full advantage of the card's benefits to offset its annual fee.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
