Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is the gold standard for simplicity. While other student cards force you to track rotating categories or cap your spending, the Quicksilver Student offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything. Combined with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it is an excellent "set it and forget it" card for students studying domestically or abroad.

At a Glance

• Welcome Offer:
• Rewards Rate: Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Annual Fee:
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• Credit Score: (Designed for students/new credit)
• APR:
• Credit Building: Automatic credit line reviews (as fast as 6 months)

Overview

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is the student version of the popular Quicksilver card. It retains almost all the premium features of its "adult" counterpart, including the 1.5% flat rate and travel perks, but relaxes the underwriting standards to allow college students with limited credit history to qualify.

Rewards & Benefits

• Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back: This is the card's selling point. Whether you are buying a $200 biology textbook or a $5 coffee, you earn 1.5% back. There is no cap on how much you can earn.
• 5% on Travel: If you book hotels or rental cars through the Capital One Travel portal, your reward rate jumps to 5%.
• Uber One Statement Credits: (Check current offer) Capital One often partners with Uber to provide statement credits for Uber One memberships, a nice perk for students without cars.
• Redemption: Cash back does not expire for the life of the account. You can redeem it for statement credits, checks, or gift cards at any amount (no $25 minimum).

Fees & Requirements

• Annual Fee: .
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None. This is rare for a no-fee card and critical for students traveling during summer or semesters abroad.
• Student Status: You typically need to be enrolled in a higher education institution to apply.
• Credit Check: Capital One will perform a hard pull, but they are lenient with students who have "thin" files (little history).

Borrower Experience

• CreditWise: Users get free access to CreditWise, which monitors your credit profile and alerts you to changes—a great tool for learning financial literacy.
• The App: Capital One's mobile app is widely regarded as one of the best in the banking industry for its user-friendly design.

Who It’s Best For

• Study Abroad Students: The lack of foreign transaction fees (saving you 3% on every purchase in Europe or Asia) makes this the #1 pick for international travelers.
• Busy Students: If you don't want to think about which card to use for which purchase, the flat 1.5% rate is perfect.
• Credit Newbies: If you have never had a credit card before, this provides a safe, low-cost entry point.

Who Should Skip It

• Foodies & Partiers: If 80% of your budget goes to food, dining, and concerts, the Capital One SavorOne Student is mathematically better because it earns 3% in those categories.
• Those Carrying Debt: The APR is high. If you plan to carry a balance, look for a card with a 0% Intro APR offer (though these are rare for students).

Compare

Bottom Line Verdict

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is the best "general purpose" student card on the market. It is reliable, rewarding, and completely free to use globally. While it may not offer the flashy travel benefits of a luxury, high-annual-fee card, its consistency and lack of foreign transaction fees make it a wallet essential for any college student.