Best Capital One Personal Cash Back Credit Cards [2024 Review]

80% of credit card consumers in the US prefer cash rewards as they are easier to redeem. Capital One has several cash back cards that offer generous return percentages. This curated list of the best Capital One personal cash back credit cards will help you pick the most suitable option for yourself.

Our Top Capital One Personal Cash Back Credit Cards Review

Capital One offers a variety of cash back credit cards tailored for personal use. Their benefits range from flat-rate cash rewards to bonuses in specific spending categories. 

• Best altogether: Capital One SavorOne Cash Reward
• Best for students: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards for Students
• Best for flat-rate cash back: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

Best Personal Cash Back Card Altogether: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards is perfect for you if your spending is concentrated on dining, entertainment, and streaming services. 

You can also earn rewards in these categories for other Capital One cards. However, we declare it the best because it is a complete package due to the following features.

Fees

You pay $0 for:

• Annual fee
• Foreign transaction fee

Additionally, you get a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. You can plan large payoffs during this period. 

Rewards

You get:

• 3% cashback on dining, grocery (does not include Walmart and Target), and streaming services (includes Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc).
• 3% cash return on entertainment (includes purchasing tickets to movie theaters, amusement parks etc).
• 5% cashback on booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
• 8% cash back for booking event tickets through Capital One Entertainment.
• 10% return on purchasing services from Uber and Uber Eats until November 14, 2024.

You also get a $200 bonus for spending $500 in the first three months. You can achieve this target quickly as the required spending amount is low.

Pros

• You don’t pay an annual fee, which maximizes your earned rewards.
• It includes a sign-up bonus that enhances the card’s value.
• You pay a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. You can pay off big purchases and carry a monthly balance.

Cons

• The card’s benefits might be less competitive if you don’t spend much on dining, entertainment, or groceries.
• You don’t get emergency roadside assistance with this card.

Best Personal Cash Back Card for Students: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards

You can get the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards card right after high school. You can use it until you finish university, a community college, or any higher education institution. 

What we like the most about this card is that you can get it for a fair credit score. So, you can consider it as a credit-building opportunity, too.

Fees

You are exempt from paying an annual or a foreign transaction fee. Also, you incur a 19.99% – 29.99% APR on purchases and balance transfers. However, you can avoid it by paying your amount in full every month.

Rewards

You can earn rewards on basic categories a student most likely spends on. You get:

• 3% cashback on dining, grocery (does not include Walmart and Target), and streaming services (includes Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc).
• 3% return on entertainment (includes purchasing tickets to movie theaters, amusement parks, etc).
• 5% cashback on booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
• 8% cash back for booking event tickets through Capital One Entertainment.
• 10% return on purchasing services from Uber and Uber Eats until November 14, 2024.

Also, you get a welcome bonus of $50 for spending $100 within the first three months. We find this to be an easily attainable reward.

Pros

• You don’t pay an annual fee, which makes this card affordable.
• You don’t need a high credit score to apply for this card.
• You earn rewards in the routine and entertainment categories. This means you can earn money while booking tickets for a concert!
• You pay a $0 fraud liability if your card is stolen or hacked.

Cons

• You incur a high APR if you choose to carry a monthly balance.
• You can not maximize your card benefits if you don’t travel often.

Best Personal Card for Flat-Rate Cash Back: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card is best if you want a simple earning system. Also, it can be a solid option if you don’t spend more towards a specific category. 

You can transfer your earnings to another Capital One card and increase your reward pile. You can redeem them through multiple channels this way.

Fees

Here is the card fee you have to pay:

• $0 annual fee
• $0 foreign transaction fee
• $40 for late payment

You also incur a variable APR between 19.99% and 29.99% on purchases and balance transfers. However, you get an initial 0% APR intro period of 15 months where you can carry statement balance without accumulating debt. You can use it to pay off outstanding payments or make a big purchase.

Rewards

The Quicksilver rewards card is popular because of its no-frills reward structure. You earn:

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. 
• Unlimited 5% return on booking flights and hotels through Capital One Travel.

You also get a welcome bonus of $200 if you spend $500 within the first three months. It is a windfall into your cash back pool.

Pros

• You are exempt from paying an annual fee, which makes this card very affordable.
• You get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. You get a breathing space before you start incurring interest.
• You don’t pay a foreign transaction fee on this card. This makes it a good option for trips abroad.
• You get insurance for travel accidents if you book travel with this card. You can cut your losses in case of an incident.

Cons

• The flat-rate cash back on this card may not be as lucrative as more rewarding cards if you spend more in specific categories.
• You can’t redeem your rewards towards travel purchases. 

Features to Consider for Capital One Personal Cash Back Cards

Due to their attached benefits and rewards, you may feel like all cash back credit cards are great options. However, we still recommend that you take time to carefully consider which one works best for you. Here are some things you should consider before finalizing your choice:

	Annual Fee	Intro APR	Rewards
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards	$0	0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months	Unlimited 3% cash back on grocery, dining, and entertainment
Capital One SavorOne Students Cash Rewards	$0	N/A	Unlimited 3% cash back on grocery, dining, and entertainment
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards	$0	0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months	Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase

Fees

Your card fees can make or break your financial integrity. The cards on this list don’t incur an annual fee. They charge the same interest rate, too. Calculate the cumulative fee before applying for a card.

Rewards

You must observe the reward categories and percentages before making a decision. Go for a card like SavorOne Rewards to earn on routine categories. 

Extra Benefits

Added perks allow you to maximize your card’s value, even for a flat-rate cash back card. Check out cards like the Quicksilver Rewards to know more about these benefits.

Related Questions

Conclusion

We find Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards the best personal cash back card overall. This is due to its affordability, reward categories, and accessibility. While the SavorOne Student has the same structure, it is restricted to students. For those who prefer a simple earning card, the Quicksilver Rewards is the most suited option.