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Card reviewCapital One
Updated Apr 14, 2026 · research
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Capital OneCapital One Quicksilver Cash BackEditorially reviewed

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee, plus a $50 cash welcome bonus for students.

Entry LevelPersonal
Visa
Credit profile: fair
$0
Annual fee
5% back capital one entertainment purchases
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating

Current Welcome Offer

50 cashback

$50 estimated value

Spend $100 in 90 days

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Card Offers

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50 cashback

Verified

$50 estimated value

Spend $100 in 90 days

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Earning Rates

Capital One Entertainment purchases
5%cash back

Tickets purchased on the Capital One Entertainment ticketing platform only

Hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5%cash back

Must be booked through Capital One Travel portal

All other purchases
1.5%cash back

Unlimited; applies to all purchases outside of Capital One Travel and Entertainment elevated categories

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No annual fee keeps the card cost-free to hold long term
  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions or caps
  • Low $100 spend threshold to earn the $50 welcome bonus
  • No foreign transaction fees, useful for students studying or traveling abroad
  • Rewards never expire for the life of the account

Cons

  • The $50 welcome bonus is modest compared to non-student cash back cards
  • Elevated 5% rates are limited to Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment, requiring use of specific portals
  • Purchase APR can reach 28.49%, making carrying a balance costly
  • No introductory 0% APR offer on purchases or balance transfers

Key Takeaways

  • Earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee
  • New cardholders earn a $50 cash bonus after just $100 in spending within the first 3 months
  • Earns 5% cash back on Capital One Travel hotel, vacation rental, and rental car bookings, and on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • No foreign transaction fees makes it viable for international use
  • Designed for students with fair credit who are building their credit history

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$0
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
18.49% - 28.49%
Balance Transfer APR
18.49% - 28.49%
Cash Advance APR
28.49%

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

4 benefits including 1 hidden gems

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

Cancel For Any Reason Flight Protection

Students who book flights through Capital One Travel can add a cancel-for-any-reason option that allows them to cancel up to 3 hours before departure and receive most of the booking cost back. This add-on provides meaningful flexibility for unpredictable student schedules, though it must be selected at the time of booking.

24/7 Price Watch Alerts on Flights

Through Capital One Travel, cardholders can set price alerts on specific flights and receive notifications when fares drop. This lets budget-conscious students monitor routes over time and buy at the right moment without constantly checking prices manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students?
There is no annual fee for this card. Students pay $0 per year to keep the account open, which helps keep costs low while building credit.
What welcome bonus does the card offer?
New cardholders can earn a $50 cash bonus after spending $100 within the first 3 months of account opening. This is a relatively low spend requirement, making the bonus accessible for most students.
What cash back rate does this card earn on everyday purchases?
The card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases that do not fall into an elevated category. There are no rotating categories or activation requirements to track.
Are there any categories that earn more than 1.5% cash back?
Yes. The card earns 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5% cash back on purchases made through Capital One Entertainment. All other purchases earn the standard 1.5% rate.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students charges no foreign transaction fees, making it a practical card to use while studying or traveling abroad.
Do rewards expire?
No. Cash back rewards earned with this card never expire for the life of the account, so students do not need to worry about losing accumulated rewards.
What credit score is needed to qualify for this card?
This card is designed for applicants with fair credit, which makes it accessible to students who are new to credit or have a limited credit history.
What is Capital One Travel Free Price Drop Protection?
If you book a flight through Capital One Travel when Capital One recommends it and the price drops within 10 days of booking, you can receive up to $50 in travel credit for the difference. The benefit only applies when you follow Capital One's recommended booking timing.
What is the purchase APR for this card?
The purchase APR ranges from 18.49% to 28.49% depending on creditworthiness. Students who carry a balance will be subject to interest charges within this range.
Is the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students only available to enrolled students?
This card is specifically designed as a student credit card and is targeted at individuals who are in college or building credit for the first time. The card requires at least fair credit for approval.

About This Card

This card is best for college students with fair or limited credit who want a simple, no-annual-fee cash back card with a low barrier to entry. It suits students who prefer flat-rate rewards without tracking rotating categories.

The Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, with no annual fee. Students can earn 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. New cardholders can earn a $50 cash bonus after spending $100 in the first 3 months. Rewards never expire for the life of the account. The card also provides access to Capital One Travel features including free price drop protection, price match guarantee, cancel-for-any-reason flight options, and price watch alerts.

The card stands out in the student tier by pairing a genuinely unlimited flat 1.5% cash back rate with no annual fee and a reachable $50 welcome bonus at just $100 in spend, a combination that most competing student cards do not offer together.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students

50 cashback, worth about $50 estimated value, with no annual fee.

Spend $100 in 90 days

Apply NowCompare Cards

Reward Program

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Back

Earns Cash Back

Learn more

Card Categories

Student Credit CardsCash Back Credit CardsNo Annual Fee Credit Cards

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

We collect card details from official issuer pages, then verify them through editorial review.

Last updated:

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 4 of 4 benefits rated high confidence
  • 1 of 1 offer verified
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