Capital One Savor Student vs First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured: Which Is Better In 2026?

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we’re fans of the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card.

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• It offers a lower-than-average interest rate, which is a rare find for a secured card.
• The application process is accessible for those with limited or no credit history, as it doesn't require a hard credit check.
• This card helps you build credit by reporting your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus.

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Pros

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• Lets you earn rewards on your spending, an uncommon perk for a secured card.
• Offers flexible ways to fund the required security deposit.
• Provides the potential for a higher credit limit than many comparable cards.

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Cons

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• Charges an annual fee, which can be a drawback for a card designed for credit-building.
• It doesn't offer an upgrade path to an unsecured card, so you'll have to close the account to get your deposit back.
• Lacks modern digital features like a mobile app, and some account management tasks rely on snail mail.

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card vs Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Savor Student or First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured, depends entirely on your financial situation and goals. Each card serves a distinct purpose, one catering to students with some credit history and the other designed for those starting from scratch.

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• Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards: This card is best for students with some existing credit who want to earn rewards on everyday spending like dining, groceries, and entertainment. It's a great option for building credit while taking advantage of perks tailored to a student lifestyle.
• First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: This secured card is designed for individuals with limited or poor credit who need to build or rebuild their credit history. It offers a straightforward path to establishing credit without requiring a prior credit score for approval.

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Redemption

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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards: This card earns cash back on purchases, which can be redeemed for a statement credit or a check. The process is designed to be simple and flexible, allowing you to easily access the value you've earned.

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First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Since this card is designed to build credit, it does not feature a rewards program for redemption. Instead, the primary financial return is the refund of your security deposit after establishing a positive payment history.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, a tool like Kudos can help by evaluating nearly 3,000 credit cards against your actual spending patterns to eliminate the guesswork.

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• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Test drive credit cards using your real transaction history to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring that if you find a better public offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Earn additional rewards through Kudos Boost when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score from one dashboard.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is an ideal fit for college students with at least a fair credit score who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. Cardholders can earn unlimited 3% cash back on these common student expenses and at grocery stores, all without paying an annual fee. It's also a strong choice for those studying abroad or for international students, as the card has no foreign transaction fees.

Who Should Choose the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card?

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The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is designed for individuals with poor or limited credit who need a reliable tool to build or rebuild their credit history. Its standout feature is an ultra-low 14.24% variable APR on purchases, making it a smart choice for those who may occasionally carry a balance and want to minimize interest charges. With no credit check required for approval and the ability to earn 1% cash back on all purchases, this card offers an accessible and rewarding path toward a better credit score.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards vs. First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card comparison shows that neither card is the right fit for your wallet, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent cards for building credit or earning rewards to consider.

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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 - Know where you stand and what credit range the card typically requires.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet any welcome offer requirements without forcing purchases.
• Review eligibility rules - Some cards are only for students, while others may require a security deposit.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application wisely - Aligning it with a large purchase can help you meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Look for unique application paths - Some cards, like those for students or secured cards, have special application processes.
• Don't settle for a lower offer - If you're presented with a bonus that's less than the best available, you can sometimes decline and reapply later without impacting your credit.

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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What is the main difference between a student credit card and a secured credit card?

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A student credit card is an unsecured card designed for college students who may have a limited credit history, while a secured credit card requires a refundable cash deposit that typically sets your credit limit. This deposit lowers the risk for the lender, making secured cards easier to get approved for.

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Do I need to be a student to apply for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

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Yes, you must be a student enrolled at an eligible college or university to qualify for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. The application will likely ask for information about your school and enrollment status.

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How does the security deposit for the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card work?

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With the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card, you provide a refundable security deposit that establishes your credit line. The issuer holds this deposit as collateral and returns it to you when you close the account in good standing.

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Which card is better for earning rewards?

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The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is built for earning cash back, especially on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores. Secured cards like the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card generally do not offer rewards, as their main function is to help users build or rebuild credit.

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