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Capital One issues many of the best credit cards on the market right now, from options that can help you build your credit to a premium card that earns valuable travel rewards. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is especially popular thanks to its robust marketing budget and television commercials, but it's not necessarily the right Capital One card for you. The best option is the one that fits your spending style and your goals.

Capital One is also a good pick if you plan to travel overseas because none of its cards charge foreign transaction fees. This can save you anywhere from 3% to 5% on your purchases abroad compared to using cards from other banks that tack on fees for international purchases.

Here are the best Capital One credit cards of 2023.

We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

The Best Capital One Credit Cards

Best Capital One Cards of May 2023

Methodology: How We Chose the Best Capital One Credit Cards

We looked at all of the Capital One credit cards currently available to new applicants and considered several factors:

  • Ease of use — Does the card have a rewards program (cash back or miles) and if so, is it easy to navigate?
  • Earning potential — Are there bonus categories or strong flat-rate earning with the card, and are they appealing to a broad range of customers?
  • Annual fee — Many Capital One credit cards have no annual fee, but for those that do charge one, are there additional perks or features that make it worth it?
  • Cards for various types of consumers — We picked cards that appeal to different types of consumers, including travel aficionados, foodies, students, folks building credit, and small-business owners.

Here's Insider's guide to how we rate and review credit cards. 

Capital One Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What credit score do you need for a Capital One credit card?

Capital One is one of the few issuers that spells out the level of credit score you'll need for each of its cards. For example, the premium Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card requires an excellent credit score, defined as follows: You've never declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan, been more than 60 days late on any credit card, medical bill, or loan in the last year, and have had a loan or credit card for three years or more with a credit limit above $5,000.

Not all Capital One cards require excellent credit. If your credit is fair or average, you could still qualify for cards like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Are Capital One credit cards good?

Capital One cards are known for offering good customer service and solid perks, and you'll never pay foreign transaction fees which can save you money if you're traveling overseas. 

You've also got a wide variety of card options — whether you're just getting started with credit or are looking for an upscale card that earns generous travel rewards, there's likely a Capital One card that is a good fit.

Are Capital One credit cards right for beginners? 

Capital One has a strong selection of fair credit, bad credit (such as secured credit cards), and student credit cards for folks just starting out, building credit, or rebuilding credit. There's a great range of rewards rates, bonuses, intro APR rates, and perks to choose from.

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for students with fair credit who spend on dining, groceries, and entertainment. On a similar note, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a basic starter card, with no annual fee, and can automatically consider you for a higher credit line after six months. 

If you don't have any credit history, you could also consider the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns you 5% cash back on hotel and car rentals (through Capital One Travel) and 1.5% cash back on everything else, with access to Capital One Credit Wise — one of the best credit monitoring services available. 

Can you have more than one Capital One card?

Yes, you can have more than one Capital One card. However, Capital One doesn't publish any firm rules about the total number of cards you can have open at once — it depends on your credit profile, income, and other factors. 

Best Intro Bonus and Upscale Travel Perks

Capital One Venture X

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been making waves since its launch. Along with a massive welcome bonus which is worth Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card in travel, the card comes packed with upscale benefits that can more than offset the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card annual fee.

Capital One's first premium card has an annual fee lower than similar cards and a range of valuable travel perks. It's become a real competitor to cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Cardholders receive up to $300 per year in statement credits toward travel booked through the Capital One Travel Portal, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access (even for authorized users), a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth $100 in travel), and Visa Infinite travel and purchase benefits.

As with other cards that earn Capital One miles, you can transfer rewards to over a dozen airline and hotel partners to book award travel. In addition, Capital One has its own luxury hotel booking program, the Capital One Premier Collection, for Venture X cardholders. It offers perks like room upgrades and on-property credits at hundreds of hotels and resorts around the world. 

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review to learn more.

Best for Travel Rewards

Capital One Venture Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns rewards you can redeem for any type of travel at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also transfer miles to Capital One's airline and hotel partners, including Accor, Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Red, and Wyndham. 

The transfer ratio for most partners is now 1:1, except for EVA Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5 ratio) and Accor Live Limitless (2:1 ratio).

As a cardholder, you'll also receive no foreign transaction fees and a credit toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership fee. If you travel frequently, be sure to read our comparison of the Capital One Venture and Venture X — the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could actually be a better fit despite its higher annual fee.

Read our Capital One Venture Card review for more info.

Best for Flat-rate Cash Back

Capital One Quicksilver

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is for you if you want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee.  Its welcome bonus is also relatively generous and easy to earn.

On the redemption side of the equation, you can redeem your rewards for cash back at any time and in any amount. You can also cash in your points for gift cards. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card also comes with a Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (then a Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card APR). 

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card review to learn more.

Best for Dining and Entertainment 

Capital One Savor Rewards

The Capital One Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card is an enticing option thanks to its initial bonus and ongoing rewards, and that's especially true if you spend a lot on dining, entertainment, and streaming each year. Even if you just spend a lot at the grocery store, earning 3% back is excellent as well.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back in any amount, and this card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the US.

Read our Capital One Savor Card review for more details.

Best for Dining and Entertainment With No Annual Fee 

Capital One SavorOne Rewards

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card lets you rack up exceptional rewards on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery purchases. This card also comes without an annual fee, which is a net positive if you want to keep your costs down.

If you have a large purchase you want to pay off over time, you'll be happy to know this card extends a Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, followed by a 15.49% - 25.49% variable APR. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees.

Read our Capital One SavorOne card review to learn more.

Best for Earning Cash Back While Building Credit 

Capital One Quicksilver Secured

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal if you're working on building your credit but still want to earn rewards. Although there's no welcome offer, cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no bonus categories to keep track of.

Because it's a secured credit card, you'll have to put down a security deposit equal to the initial credit line you'll be given. You can get started with a deposit as low as $200, and with responsible use over time, you could have the opportunity to upgrade to an unsecured Quicksilver card and get your deposit back.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Secured card review for more info. 

Best for Building Credit With a Lower Security Deposit 

Capital One Platinum Secured

If you're trying to improve your credit score after some financial mishaps, the Capital One® Secured Mastercard® is an ideal option — it's relatively easy to get approved for since you put down a security deposit when you open your card.

As a new cardholder, you'll put down a security deposit ($49, $99, or $200), which is refundable and determines your initial credit line. After you make payments on time for six months, you can get access to a higher credit line.

Here's our Capital One Platinum Secured credit card review with all the details.

Best Student Card With Flat-rate Cash Back 

Capital One Quicksilver Student Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is geared to students with little to no credit history who want to earn rewards while they build up their credit over time. This card gives you a flat 1.5% back on all purchases with no limits, which isn't the best cash-back rate on a no-annual-fee card. But since this is one of the best credit cards for students with no credit, it's available to a broader selection of consumers who need help getting started.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn't charge an annual fee, and there are no foreign transaction fees, either. It also offers solid benefits for a no-annual-fee student credit card, including price protection***, extended warranty***, car rental coverage***, roadside dispatch***, and complimentary concierge services.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card review

Best Student Card for Dining and Entertainment

Capital One SavorOne Student Card

If you're in college and spend a lot on dining out, groceries, entertainment, and streaming, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding card options out there. Along with a welcome bonus offer of Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, the card offers 3% cash back in student-friendly categories, with no limits to what you can earn.

Dining and groceries are straightforward categories, and Capital One has a broad definition of entertainment — including movies, professional sporting events, amusement parks, record stores, and bowling alleys. Eligible streaming services include popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

Like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with surprisingly good perks for a student credit card, such as car rental coverage***, roadside dispatch***, price protection***, extended warranty***, and access to a concierge service. 

Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Student credit card review to learn more.

Best Business Card for Cash Back 

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Spark 2% Cash Plus is a straightforward card that earns 2% cash back on all your business spending.

Because it's a charge card, there's no preset spending limit, and you'll need to pay your balance off in full each month. Big spenders also get a boost: Every year you spend $200,000 or more on your card, you'll receive a $200 bonus.

Read our Capital One Spark Plus card review for more details.

Best Business Card for Travel 

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business has a reasonable annual fee, and it makes it easy to earn miles on every purchase without having to keep track of bonus spending categories.

You have lots of options when it comes time to redeem your miles, and the card comes with an application fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Read our Capital One Spark Miles for Business card review to learn more.

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Best Capital One Credit Cards of May 2023