How to Get a Capital One Credit Card

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A guide to Capital One credit cards

Capital One offers some of the best credit cards on the market across all major categories, including rewards, business, student and secured credit cards. Their products, which often tout reasonable fees, straightforward rewards programs and/or notable credit-building features, have definite mass appeal. So how can you determine which specific Capital One credit card is best for your wallet? We'll cover all you need to know.

Comparing the best Capital One credit cards

Capital One's exciting lineup includes business, cash back and travel rewards credit cards, as well as vehicles for credit building. Here is a comparison of the best Capital One credit cards of 2021:

Credit Card	Best For…	Annual Fee	Review Score
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card	Cash back	$0	3.1 / 5
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Unlimited miles on purchases	$395	4.5 / 5
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card	Dining rewards	$0	4.4 / 5
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Travel rewards	$95	4.1 / 5
Capital One Spark Miles for Business	Business travel	$0 first year, then $95	3.9 / 5
Capital One Platinum Credit Card	Building credit	$0	4.0 / 5
Capital One Spark Cash Plus	Business card for flat-rate cash back	$150	4.2 / 5
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card	Secured credit card	$0	3.7 / 5
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card	No annual fee	$0	3.4 / 5
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card	Limited credit history	$39	3.9 / 5
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card	Secured card for flat-rate rewards	$0	3.5 / 5
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Student card for flat-rate cash back	$0	3.3 / 5
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Entertainment seekers	$0	3.6 / 5
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One	Students	$0	2.8 / 5

Editor's picks: Capital One credit card details

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for cash back

Why we picked it: The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is great for people who want the freedom of cash back without having to worry about rotating categories. It offers unlimited 1.5% back on all purchases. Plus, there's a sign-up bonus that lets new cardholders earn $200 after spending $500 in their first three months.

Pros: Unlike the QuicksilverOne, which accepts people with lower credit, the Quicksilver has no annual fee. This card is a prime choice when you're looking for a no-annual-fee credit card that has across-the-board boosted ongoing rewards.

Cons: If you are willing to pay an annual fee, you can get a better welcome bonus and better tiered ongoing rewards, as with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95). Learn more about the best cash back credit cards.

Who should apply? Anyone put off by complicated rewards programs and rotating categories is likely to appreciate the simplicity of this flat-rate cash back card. This card is also ideal for frequent travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees.

Who should skip? A strategic rewards-minded cardholder who wants to earn bonus rates in certain categories or follow a rotating cash back schedule.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for unlimited miles on purchases

Why we picked it: This new entry in the Venture rewards lineup is for the frequent traveler ready to make the most of their travel rewards credit card. The Capital One Venture X Rewards card comes with a large sign-up bonus, unlimited miles in all purchase categories (with no expiration or blackout dates), lounge access and a statement credit worth up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Cardmembers also get 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) every year on your account anniversary, and there are annual statement credits worth up to $300 when you book travel through Capital One Travel.

Pros: The first-year savings are impressive thanks to the sign-up bonus and limited time offer. Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. Plus, cardmembers can receive up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rentals in the first year when charged to your Capital One Venture X Rewards account.

Cons: There's a $395 annual fee, and the $10,000 spend requirement to earn the bonus miles may not be an easy ask for all travelers.

Who should apply? Frequent travelers who want to enjoy perks along the way and will be able to make the most of all the benefits will find it hard to pass up this new Capital One card.

Who should skip? If you're not ready for a premium travel rewards credit card with a $395 annual fee, take a look at the more budget-friendly Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and its $95 annual fee.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining rewards

Why we picked it: It's practically unheard of to find a no annual fee cash back card that offers 3% cash back on dining and entertainment with an unlimited spend. If you're a foodie, the SavorOne is a great option.

Pros: There's a $200 bonus after a total $500 spend within the first three months. In addition to the great dining rewards, you get 3% cash back on popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through January 2023.

Cons: Although there's no annual fee, this card's sign-up bonus is in the middle of the pack when compared to other cash back cards.

Who should apply? If you're eager to begin dining out again after a year of eating at home, that unlimited 3% cash back rate on dining could really add up. Plus, the lengthy 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (14.99% to 24.99% variable APR thereafter) makes this a great option for anyone hoping to finance a large purchase over time or looking to pay off debt over time.

Who should skip? Homebodies could get more benefit out of a flat rate card that offers the same rewards on all purchases.

Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for travel rewards

Why we picked it: If you are looking for rewards and don't want to be tied down by a specific travel brand, the Venture Rewards is perfect. As one of the best credit cards for travel rewards, it's worth your while if you do a fair amount of traveling, even with a $95 annual fee.

Pros: The Venture Rewards' 2X miles on purchases are solid, as is the sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles if you spend $3,000 in your first three months. Plus, earn 5X miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. As with all Capital One credit cards, there are no foreign transaction fees.

Cons: While the Venture Rewards card now has airline partners, the transfer ratio is less than that of some other competitor travel cards.

Who should apply? The Venture Rewards is perfect for frequent travelers who want to rack up rewards without having to fully commit to one specific travel brand.

Who should skip? If you have loyalty to a specific hotel chain or airline, you might find more value out of a co-branded hotel or airline card.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for business travel

Why we picked it: The Spark Miles for Business is similar to the Spark Cash Plus, except you get miles instead of cash back, making it a good choice for frequent business travelers.

Pros: The Spark Miles card's $95 annual fee is waived the first year, and the ongoing rewards are the same, making it a good card to have for travel.

Cons: The Spark Miles earns you 50,000 miles after a $4,500 spend within the first three months of card membership, making the required spend a potentially high barrier.

Who should apply? Small business owners who frequently travel will find a lot to like about this flexible and easy-to-use rewards card.

Who should skip? If your business' average monthly expenses aren't enough to net you the 50,000 miles sign-up bonus in your first three months, you should look for another option.

Read our Capital One Spark Miles for Business review.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card: Best for building credit

Why we picked it: Need a leg up on your credit? Look no further. The Platinum is a great first card or a solid option if you're trying to build credit with responsible card use.

Pros: This card accepts people with average, fair or limited credit. There is no annual fee, unlike the QuicksilverOne, but like the QuicksilverOne, you may be considered to increase your credit limit after the first six months of on-time payments.

Cons: There are no ongoing rewards with this card, unlike the QuicksilverOne.

Who should apply? If you have limited credit history or your credit is just average, this card can help you stay on track.

Who should skip? Shoppers with an established credit score should take advantage of the more exclusive rewards or benefits that come along at a better credit range. Plan on carrying a balance? This card's high interest rate (26.99% APR, variable) is probably not the best fit for you.

Read our Capital One Platinum Credit Card review.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best business card for flat-rate cash back

Why we picked it: The Spark Cash Plus card offers excellent value in spite of its annual fee, including a lucrative sign-up bonus, one of the best flat cash back rates you can find on a business rewards card and a great annual bonus for big spenders.

Pros: You'll earn unlimited 2% cash back on all qualifying purchases, with no need to track spending or enroll in bonus categories. There's a welcome bonus of up to $1,000 ($500 if you spend $5,000 in your first three months and another $500 if you meet a total spending threshold of $50,000 in your first six months). Plus, this card comes with some business-friendly benefits including free employee cards, itemized year-end summaries, as well as virtual card numbers.

Cons: As a charge card, this card requires you to pay off your balance in full each billing cycle. It carries no ongoing APR or 0% introductory APR offers, making it less useful if you need to free up cash flow or chip away at business expenses over time. Also, it carries a $150 annual fee.

Who should apply? Business owners looking for a straightforward way to earn cash back on almost everything they buy will see a lot of value from this card, especially heavy spenders thanks to its annual bonus and flexible spending limits.

Who should skip? If you prefer the option of occasionally carrying a balance month-to-month, this charge card isn't for you.

Read our Capital One Spark Cash Plus review.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for secured credit card

Why we picked it: This secured credit card is designed to help people with thin to no credit establish a payment history. Given the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card accepts people with bad or limited credit, it's also an option for people looking to repair their credit scores.

Pros: Secured credit cards require a security deposit, but the barrier for entry with this Capital One card is quite low: $49 to $200. Higher security deposits may qualify for up to a $1,000 credit limit. Cardholders can be considered for higher credit lines by making their first six monthly payments on time.

Cons: As we mentioned, you are required to put down a refundable deposit that you will be borrowing off of for your credit limit. Plus, if you do carry a balance, the annual percentage rate is rather high (26.99% variable). There is no sign-up bonus or ongoing rewards.

Who should apply? The super-low $49 security deposit requirement makes this a good card for someone on a limited budget who is trying to establish credit through responsible card usage. In this case, that means paying your monthly balance in full. One misstep, however, and the high variable APR could potentially derail your attempt at building good credit.

Who should skip? Students and other young adults new to growing credit might shy away from a card that requires a deposit. The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One allows for novice cardholders and comes without an annual fee.

Read our Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card review.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for no annual fee

Why we picked it: The VentureOne is a solid first travel card, with no annual fee as well as no foreign transaction fees and a decent sign-up bonus.

Pros: The VentureOne is an option if you're looking for a travel card with flexibility in redemptions and partnerships with a handful of airlines. Cardholders can earn 20,000 miles if they spend $500 within the first three months of account opening.

Cons: The ongoing rewards of 1.25X miles on purchases and the sign-up bonus could be better, depending on your spending habits. In fact, the Capital One Venture Rewards offers higher base rewards (2X miles on purchases) in exchange for a $95 annual fee. Learn how to determine whether the Venture Rewards or the VentureOne Rewards is right for you.

Who should apply? Budget travelers and moderate spenders on the hunt for a no-foreign-transaction-fee rewards card with no annual fee will be pleased with this flat-rate card.

Who should skip? Frequent flyers who are looking for a card as their ticket into airport lounges, limited-time vacation deals and other exclusive perks should take a look at premium travel cards.

Read our Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for limited credit history

Why we picked it: We love this card's generous rewards rate which really stands out from other credit-building cards and makes it easy to recoup its annual fee.

Pros: This card has the same ongoing rewards as the Quicksilver Cash Rewards, making it a compelling choice for your wallet.

Cons: The QuicksilverOne doesn't have the sign-up bonus of the Quicksilver, and it carries an annual fee of $39, which isn't waived the first year.

Who should apply? QuicksilverOne is a great option for someone with fair credit hoping to earn rewards. It also will automatically consider you for access to a higher credit limit after you make your first six payments on time.

Who should skip? Those with poor credit scores who are unlikely to get approved for the fair credit requirement might want to look at one of Capital One's secured or rewards-earning student options instead.

Read our Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best secured card for flat-rate rewards

Why we picked it: This new Capital One credit card touts one of the most generous rewards programs attached to a secured credit card: unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Pros: Like many Capital One credit cards, this latest addition to its line-up features a number of consumer-friendly terms, including no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Cons: Some secured cards have lower minimum security deposit requirements. The card's APR is high (variable 26.99%), so you'll want to refrain from carrying a balance on this card. That's a best practice in general, but it's particularly important with secured credit cards, which tend to have low credit limits.

Who should apply? People who can't qualify for an unsecured credit card but have their heart set on rewards can earn cash back without having to pay some of the onerous fees associated with other secured credit cards.

Who should skip? If you have good-to-excellent credit, you can likely qualify for a traditional, unsecured credit card. If your bad credit is the result of mismanaged credit card spending in the past, you might want to opt for a card that doesn't reward purchases.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best student card for flat-rate cash back

Why we picked it: The student version of this popular cash back credit card from Capital One offers a best-in-class 1.5% cash back on all purchases and provides simple, yet generous redemption options.

Pros: This card makes it simple to earn and redeem rewards. Plus, students will enjoy a number of consumer-friendly benefits, including no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Cons: Some students might not be prepared for a rewards credit card. If spending to earn rewards causes any concern, consider a more basic student credit card that offers credit-building incentives.

Who should apply? This is a great choice as a first credit card for students, combining consumer-friendly terms with a straightforward and generous rewards program.

Who should skip? Students who are entirely new to credit and rewards may be a tad more susceptible to the temptations of incentivized spending. Tread cautiously.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for entertainment seekers

Why we picked it: Students can rack up rewards in categories they may already be spending on, such as dining, entertainment and streaming services. Plus, this card offers a best-in-class return on non-rotating bonus categories among student credit cards.

Pros: The bonus categories this card offers will click with some students' existing spending habits, and the rate of cash back is extremely generous for cards in this class. In addition, students won't have to worry about an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

Cons: If you don't spend money on the card's student-focused bonus categories, you'll probably see more value from a flat-rate student rewards credit card. Undisciplined spenders might also find the ability to earn ample rewards distracting while trying to build credit, particularly since the bonus categories largely focus on discretionary spending categories.

Who should apply? Students who already spend some of their budget on streaming, dining and entertainment while being able to commit to paying balances off in full each month will find this card quite generous. This card is also a great choice for traveling abroad thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees.

Who should skip? If the bonus categories don't align with the cardholder's spending, this card won't provide much value.

Read our Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: Best for students

Why we picked it: The Journey Student Rewards card incentivizes healthy credit habits with built-in features like a 25% boost to your rewards earnings for paying your bill on time each month. Instead of 1% cash back on general purchases, you'll get 1.25%. Also, cardholders are automatically considered for a credit line increase after six months of on-time payments.

Pros: For those just dipping their toe into the world of credit, this is a great card for learning healthy financial habits and earning rewards with responsible use. Plus, students who study abroad will love the fact that there are no foreign transaction fees.

Cons: One possible disadvantage for young cardholders is the high APR, at 26.99% variable. If you think you may not be able to pay the balance in full each month, you'll keep more money in your pocket by pursuing a card with a low interest rate.

Who should apply? Someone just starting their credit-building journey who wants to learn a little extra in the rewards department would benefit from this card.

Who should skip? A student on a tight budget who might not be able to pay off their balance in full each month should be hesitant. This card's high APR could be costly for both your wallet and long-term credit score.

Read our Journey Student Rewards from Capital One review.

What is Capital One?

Capital One, formally known as Capital One Financial Corp., is the fifth-largest consumer bank and the eighth-largest bank overall in the U.S. Founded by now Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Fairbank, it reported a total net revenue of $28.5 billion in 2020. Per the Nilson Report, Capital One held a 10% market share of purchase volume among credit card issuers as of 2020.

Services offered by Capital One

Capital One currently offers a wide breadth of consumer and commercial financial services. These services include:

Consumer

Credit cards – from credit building to rewards and cash back
Banking – from checking and kids' savings to CDs and IRAs
Auto – for new or used car loans, or refinancing
Invest – through Capital One Investing

Business

Credit cards – Spark Cash and Spark Miles
Banking – checking and savings
Borrow – includes business loans
Invest – includes creating 401(k) plans
Manage – merchant services and cash management

Commercial

Commercial lending – from term loans to lines of credit
Depository services – commercial checking, savings or CDs
Treasury management – digital tools and automated solutions
Capital markets – from foreign exchange to public finance
Private banking & wealth management – from asset management to trust services
Corporate card – The One Card from Capital One simplifies expenses, accounts payable and billing processes

Is a Capital One credit card worth it?

As one of the largest banks in the U.S., Capital One is able to offer a commendable collection of cards that can exceed any annual costs. There are some circumstances where cardholders pick the wrong card and find themselves in an uphill climb, but those who do their homework beforehand should end up with a valuable card. With the SavorOne Cash Rewards, the Venture Rewards, the Platinum Card and many more, Capital One gives cardholders chances at strong rewards, credit-building opportunities and useful benefits. Also, with the Capital One rewards program and Capital One travel rewards program, cardholders have access to easy and flexible redemption options to make their spending worthwhile.

Some of Capital One's extra perks and add-ons are geared to help travelers more than anyone else, but they're not exclusive to one group. From no foreign transaction fees to travel accident insurance, Capital One cards offer a plethora of benefits, including travel and retail; apps and digital services; and security. Here's what this bank issuer offers:

Travel and shopping

No foreign transaction fees: Capital One cards don't charge foreign transaction fees, saving you about 3% to 5% per purchase outside the U.S. As such, its cards are among the best credit cards for no foreign transaction fees.
24-hour travel assistance: You can get an emergency replacement card and a cash advance any time, along with emergency, medical, travel and legal referral services. The extent of services available (like roadside assistance) varies by card.
Auto rental collision damage waiver: An eligible rental vehicle is covered for damage due to theft, collision or possibly towing charges. Further coverage may depend on your card and whether it's a domestic or international rental.
Travel accident insurance: When the entire travel fare is purchased using your card, eligible losses are covered at no extra charge.
Extended warranty: At no extra charge, you could receive an extended warranty of up to three additional years on eligible items purchased with your card for up to $10,000.
Mile transfer: Venture and VentureOne miles can be transferred to any of Capital One's 15+ travel loyalty programs for the adaptability your trip needs.
Experience Access: Foodies, travelers and sports fans get access to cardholder-exclusive premium experiences, including dining, music, sports and entertainment events.
Capital One Shopping: This browser extension from Capital One saves online shoppers money by scanning the web for lower prices on your item.
Paribus: This online shopping service from Capital One tracks your online purchase confirmation emails from over 25 major retailers to monitor price changes and helps you get refunds for retail price drops, late deliveries and returns.

Security Services

Security and account alerts: Capital One monitors your account and can notify you through text, email and phone if they notice possible suspicious transactions.
Fraud coverage: In case your credit card was stolen, Capital One's $0 fraud liability means you won't even have to pay the Federal Trade Commission's $50 liability limit for verified unauthorized purchases.

How to choose a Capital One credit card

The best Capital One credit card for you will vary, based on your spending habits, credit profile and financial goals. Using our CardMatch tool, you can align your financial profile with cards in your range to narrow down your options easier before applying. Here are some typical shoppers that can specifically benefit from certain Capital One products:

Who should get a Capital One credit card

The foodie who loves dining out. The SavorOne Cash Rewards card's 3% cash back on dining out and entertainment (and no annual fee) is a strong choice for restaurant lovers and people who are excited to get back out after too much time inside.
The traveler. There are two options for the traveler, both great for domestic and international, and they are the Venture Rewards and the VentureOne Rewards. The VentureOne is best for the occasional traveler who just can't justify an annual fee, and the Venture is great for the traveler who wants to max out spending.
The seeker of convenience. Want a cash back card that you don't have to think much about in order to get great rewards? The Quicksilver and QuicksilverOne cards have the same across-the-board cash back offer, although the QuicksilverOne has an annual fee and no sign-up bonus in exchange for only recommending fair credit.

Compare Quicksilver cards…

Card	Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards	Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards
Sign-up bonus	$200/$500 spend in first 3 months	N/A
Rewards	1.5% cash back	1.5% cash back
Spend	$500 a month/12 months	$500 a month/12 months
Annual fee	$0	$39
Recommended credit	Good, excellent	Fair, Good
Total end of first year	$200+$90=$290	$90-$39=$51

The consumer just starting out. If you have thin or fair credit, Capital One offers multiple cards to choose from. The Capital One Platinum is a good choice for the consumer with fair credit, while the Capital One Secured accepts consumers who have no credit history. Also, the Journey Student Rewards card is a great starter option, and all come without an annual fee.
The business owner. Whether you travel often for work or you have a fair amount of business expenses, Capital One has two business cards to choose from – the Capital One Spark Cash Select – $500 Cash Bonus offers cash back on all eligible purchases, and the Spark Miles for Business offers miles on all eligible purchases. The Spark Miles has a $95 annual fee that is waived the first year and the Spark Cash Select has no annual fee.

Who should skip a Capital One credit card

The road warrior. If you spend a ton of time behind the wheel and know that filling up on gas is far and away your biggest expense, you should get rewarded for it. Although Capital One can get you consistent cash back across all purchases, gas cards can provide better rates at the pump.
The debt solver. Consumers looking to pay down outstanding credit card balances by transferring to a card with a low- or no-interest introductory period should look to top balance transfer cards. Capital One doesn't specialize in balance transfer offers, and their ongoing APR rates mean you could pay high interest expenses if you carry a balance.
The luxury traveler. While Capital One has great travel options, someone looking for access to airport lounges, free checked bags and other high-end perks will have to look to premium travel cards for their ticket in.

What credit score is needed for a Capital One credit card?

Capital One has options for nearly anyone, so there's no minimum requirement to become a cardholder. That being said, Capital One's top card options that feature lucrative rewards and strong sign-up incentives usually require a good-to-excellent score (670 or above) to be approved. If you're unsure if your score is enough for one of their cards, you can check if you're preapproved with Capital One.

With their secured cards and student options, people with poor credit scores or no credit history have a chance to benefit from Capital One's services. The Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards, the Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards and the Journey Student Rewards are just a few of their options for someone with a fair credit score or no credit history. Plus, these cards can earn a little cash back and keep you away from an annual fee while you improve your credit score.

What programs does Capital One offer?

On top of the plethora of benefits provided, cardholders will want to familiarize themselves with the Capital One rewards program and Capital One Travel. Known for being user-friendly and flexible, the rewards program makes it easy for cardholders to evaluate their rewards and decide what to do with their miles.

Carriers of the Venture Rewards, Spark Miles for Business and other Capital One cards offering ways to earn miles have lots of reasons to love the Capital One rewards program and Capital One Travel. For starters, miles are unlimited in the program and you have the option to transfer to any of Capital One's numerous transfer partners, expanding your map of travel destinations for 2022. If you decide to redeem your miles for travel, you'll use the Capital One Travel portal, where you can earn extra miles per dollar when transferring to certain partners and booking things like flights, hotels and rental cars. Plus, rewards won't expire and there are no setbacks in terms of blackout dates, transfer fees or losing point value.

In addition to redeeming for travel, you can use the Capital One rewards program to exchange your miles for statement credits, gift cards and Amazon purchases at the average value of 1 cent per mile. Like most rewards credit cards, the travel opportunities are typically the most worthwhile options, but Capital One provides flexibility in case you want to take a different route.

Maximizing what these programs have to offer will be different depending on the cardholder, but to put it briefly: make sufficient payments, hit your sign-up bonus spend requirement, pay attention to your spending categories, look for boosted rewards opportunities and remember to redeem your miles.

How to make the most of a Capital One credit card

Align your spending with your card. Before applying for one of Capital One's rewards cards, review where you spend the most money. Be sure that you apply for a card that will be worthwhile, so you can get the most out of your cash back categories or travel miles. If you pay attention to where you spend with your card, Capital One's options can lead to huge savings.
Use their travel benefits. Spark and Venture cardholders should take advantage of the value bonus their miles get when transferring with select carriers to maximize their earnings. Also, Capital One's long list of travel partners give cardholders the chance to explore places otherwise unreachable. Cardholders will also appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.
Earn the sign-up bonus. As a general rule with credit cards, you shouldn't apply for a card with an unattainable sign-up bonus. If you're approved for a Capital One credit card, be sure that the necessary spending early on is within reach. Also, some options here have bonuses in place at both three months and six months, allowing for some extra earning. Sign-up bonuses are an easy way for cardholders to squeeze immediate value out of their cards.
Track your spending. By being attentive to how much –and where– you spend, you not only set yourself up for success in earning the most out of your purchases, you'll be in a great spot to make sufficient regular payments. This is especially crucial with Capital One cards, which often carry high interest rates.

How we picked the best Capital One credit cards

We analyzed Capital One's credit cards to identify the top products in popular credit card categories. The criteria considered in our analysis include:

Rewards program: We considered whether a card's base rewards program was competitive for its category (travel, dining, cash back, etc.) to assess long-term value. We also factored in any sign-up bonuses that might sweeten offers in the short-term.
Special features: For credit cards for fair credit, we considered whether there were unique features, such as the ability to increase your credit limit after a series of on-time payments, that could prove helpful to someone who is trying to establish or repair their credit history. For rewards credit cards, we considered whether there were ancillary benefits, like extended warranties or travel assistance, that might add more value.
Rates and fees: We considered whether an annual fee was justified by a card's rewards program, unique features or less stringent credit requirements. We also factored in whether the card's purchase, balance transfer and/or penalty annual percentage rates were competitive for its card category.

Many of Capital One's cards are well-suited to a general audience, so, ultimately, the right card for you will hinge on what you're looking to use it for. If you're still torn between a few offers, check out this guide to choosing a credit card.

Additional information on Capital One credit cards

For more information on all things Capital One credit cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

How to get preapproved for a Capital One card
How to transfer a balance to a Capital One credit card
How to get a cash advance with Capital One
Which Capital One cards earn miles?

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Tracy Stewart

Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.

About the Reviewer

Sally Herigstad

Sally Herigstad is a certified public accountant, author and speaker who writes about personal finance for CreditCards.com. She also writes regularly for MSN Money, Interest.com, Bankrate.com and RedPlum.com, and has been a guest on Martha Stewart radio and other programs.

How to Get a Capital One Credit Card

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