Whether you are a student, a traveler, or simply looking to earn through bonus categories, Capital One offers an array of cards that cater to your goals and needs. Our list of the best Capital One Personal rewards credit cards will help you find the perfect card based on your spending habits.
Our Top Capital One Personal Rewards Credit Cards Reviews
When choosing a suitable card, you must consider fees, rewards, and other perks that maximize its value. You can also find unique affiliated benefits with each card in this list.
- Best overall: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards
- Best for students: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards
- Best for luxury travel: Capital One Venture X Rewards
Best Personal Card Overall: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards is an exceptional choice if your spending is concentrated on dining, entertainment, and streaming services. You can also earn rewards in these categories with other Capital One cards. However, we declare it the best because it is a complete package. How? You’ll soon find out.
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 incur the regular 19.99% – 29.99% APR after, which you can avoid by paying your card off.
Rewards
You get:
- 3% cashback on dining services and grocery (does not include Walmart and Target).
- 3% back on select streaming services and entertainment (includes Netflix, etc. Also, for purchasing tickets to movie theaters, etc).
- 5% back on booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
- 8% cash back for booking event tickets through the Capital One Entertainment portal.
- 10% return on purchasing from Uber 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 bonus categories.
- You don’t get emergency roadside assistance with this card.
Best Personal 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
SavorOne Student can be considered as a cheap card. 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.
Rewards
You can earn rewards on basic categories a student most likely spends on. You get:
- 3% cashback on dining services and grocery (does not include Walmart and Target).
- 3% back on select streaming services and entertainment (includes Netflix, etc. Also, for purchasing tickets to movie theaters, etc).
- 5% back on booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
- 8% cash back for booking event tickets through the Capital One Entertainment portal.
- 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 found 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 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 cannot maximize your card benefits if you don’t travel often.
Best Personal Card for Luxury Travel: Capital One Venture X Rewards
Note that the Capital One Venture X Rewards is the most coveted travel card the bank offers. We think the best thing about this card is its travel-related perks. You get:
- $300 annual travel credit for booking flights and hotels with the Capital One Travel portal.
- Up to a $100 reimbursement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
- Capital One lounge access. You can bring up to two guests with you.
- Access to the bank’s partner lounges through Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group.
- Complimentary upgrade on rental cars if you book through the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. It is a rental car loyalty program where you can be eligible for tiered upgrades according to your card status.
Fees
It is the most expensive card the bank offers. You pay a $395 annual fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee. You must also pay a $40 fee for late payments.
In contrast, you incur a variable APR between 19.99% and 29.99%. You must pay on time and choose to clear your monthly dues. Otherwise, your debt will pile up considerably.
Rewards
You earn miles when you use Venture X to make purchases. You earn:
- 10x miles to book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
- 5x miles on booking flights through the travel portal.
- 2x on every other purchase.
Apart from that, you also get a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles. You get it after spending $4000 in the first three months. Finally, you get an anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles every year.
Pros
- You earn 2x miles on routine purchases. It is more than what several cards offer in the flat rate category.
- You earn a high reward of 10x miles on travel purchases, unique to travel cards.
- You can offset the $395 annual fee with the yearly travel credit of $300.
- The bank reimburses you for the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck charges.
- Capital One’s and its partner lounges are open to you through Priority Pass. You can also bring two guests.
Cons
- You pay a high annual fee for this card, which makes it expensive.
- You don’t get a high redemption value for choices other than travel. You redeem less than 1 cent per point for gift cards, etc.
Features to Consider for Capital One Personal Rewards Cards
You must think carefully about what you want from your personal card. Capital One cards are popular for their simple reward structure and strict payment protocols.
Annual Fee | Intro APR | Rewards | |
---|---|---|---|
SavorOne Cash Rewards | $0 | 0% for the first 15 months | Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries |
SavorOne Student Cash Rewards | $0 | N/A | Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries |
Venture X Rewards | $395 | N/A | 10x miles to book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel |
Fees
You should look for a card with a low annual fee like the SavorOne Cash Rewards. You can save more money that way and use it to earn more on your card.
Rewards
Cards like SavorOne Rewards for Students that offer cash back on routine categories benefit you in the long run. You can increase your reward pool and redeem it according to your needs.
Extra Perks
You must look for added value when choosing a card. A premium card like Venture X Rewards offers extra travel benefits that maximize your card’s potential.
Related Questions
Which Capital One Card Is the Best for Beginners?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is ideal if you are just starting out. It is designed for consumers with limited or no credit history. With a refundable security deposit, you can begin building credit responsibly. The security deposit required will vary based on your creditworthiness.
What Is the Highest Capital One Credit Card?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Card stands out for individuals with excellent credit scores looking for premium benefits. It offers significant travel perks, including annual travel credits and airport lounge access. This makes it a top-tier choice for avid travelers.
What’s the Best Way to Use Capital One Rewards?
Using rewards for travel bookings through Capital One often yields the best value. Also, you might earn more using the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards card for dining and entertainment if you are a student. For those in business, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers a simple cash back structure on purchases with no spending cap.
Conclusion
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards card is the best personal rewards card because of its affordability and diverse reward categories. However, for students who are looking to start building their credit score, the SavorOne Students is a better option. For those who love luxury and lavish travel, the Venture X Rewards is the ultimate choice.