Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card review

If you’re a student searching for a simple cash back card that can help you build credit with responsible use while avoiding an annual fee and security deposit, the new Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card could be a good fit.

One of two new student credit cards offered as part of Capital One’s student card suite, the Quicksilver Student card is available to someone with a limited credit history or a fair or average credit score and gets you a solid 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

But while it carries an impressive flat rewards rate, it’s not necessarily the most lucrative student card option. Read on to learn more about where this card shines and where it may fall short.

Earning cash back

Student credit cards have been upping their game recently and the new Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is no exception. The Quicksilver Student card not only earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all qualifying purchases, with no need to track or activate rotating categories each quarter, but also 5% back on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel.

While there are plenty of 1.5% cash back credit cards to choose from, this is one of the highest flat cash back rates you can get on general purchases as a student and it makes for a great no-frills option for college students who want to start their credit-building journey off on the right foot while earning consistent cash back.

To get a sense of how much you stand to earn with the card, let’s say you spent a total of $15,900 per year (estimated annual spend based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) with the card. Considering the 1.5% flat cash back rate, you’d earn close to $239 in cash back. While this could add up to a nice chunk of cash back on purchases you’d already planned to make, it may fall short of a card like the Discover it® Student Cash Back, which gets you a whopping 5% back in a variety of rotating categories (upon enrollment, on up to $1,500 each quarter, 1% after that) and then 1% on all other purchases.

Along with the ongoing cash back you’ll earn via the card’s cash back rates, you can get a one-time bonus of $50 after you spend $100 in your first three months. While this pales in comparison to the bonuses you’ll see on the top cash back and rewards cards, it’s solid for a student card. After all most student cards offer no bonus whatsoever. Among student cards, the Quicksilver Student card’s bonus (and the matching Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offer) is beat perhaps only by the Discover it® Student Cash Back card’s Cashback Match™ offer.

Redeeming cash back

You can redeem your cash back in a variety of ways, including as a statement credit or for gift cards at merchants like Whole Foods, Lowes, and Walmart among others. And since your rewards won’t expire for the life of your account, you have the flexibility to redeem only when you’re ready.

Card rates and fees

If you decide to apply for the Quicksilver Student card, the annual fee shouldn’t impact your decision since there’s no such charge (See rates and Fees). These fees can sometimes be pricey, but most student credit cards take this into consideration and offer no annual fee to cardholders that are starting out with a fair credit score or limited credit history. This gives the Quicksilver Student a distinct advantage over non-student credit-building cards, which often carry hefty fees or require you to tie up hundreds in a refundable security deposit.

The Quicksilver Student ongoing variable APR ranges from 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable), the high end of which could come back to bite you if you’re not able to pay back your balance in full at the end of each month. If that’s a concern, a different student card like the Chase Freedom Student credit card* (19.99% variable APR) or the Discover it® Student Cash Back (17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.) could be a better fit depending on your spending habits. We never recommend carrying a balance, but if it’s unavoidable, these lower rate options are worth a look. The Quicksilver Student also carries a late payment fee, which, unlike the fee on some competing cards, is not waived the first time you pay late.

On the plus side, the Quicksilver Student card carries no foreign transaction fees (See rates and Fees), making it a good option for travel or study abroad (many cards charge a 3% fee on all purchases made overseas).

Card perks

The Quicksilver Student card doesn’t boast the most impressive list of perks – especially student-centric perks – but it comes with a handful of extra benefits that could be useful for students. Here are a few standouts:

• Free credit education tools – CreditWise can be helpful as you learn to build your credit and keep tabs on your credit profile.
• Complimentary concierge services – You can take advantage of concierge services any time throughout the day say if you need help setting up a dining reservation or solidifying plans and need to book a flight.
• Price protection – Prices rise and fall frequently, and this perk allows you to potentially be reimbursed for the difference if the price of an item you bought with the card drops within 120 days of purchase.
• Earning a higher credit limit in short time – Assuming you use your card responsibly, you’ll be automatically eligible to receive a credit line increase in as little as six months.
• Extended warranty – You’ll automatically double the length of your original manufacturer or store warranty on eligible purchases.
• MasterRental coverage – Enjoy the security of extra coverage for physical damage and theft when you use your card to rent an eligible vehicle.
• Master RoadAssist – Unexpected things may come up on road trips and this 24-hour toll-free dispatch service is offered to help with any towing, fuel delivery and other services (fees apply).

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

You also have the option to choose your own monthly due date and can set up automatic payments to ensure your bill is paid on time. There’s also $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges if your card is lost or stolen, which offers some extra peace of mind.

How does the QuickSilver Student Cash Rewards Card compare to other student cards?

If you’re starting to build your credit, it’s best to do your research and find a card that works best for your goals and spending habits. Whether that means maximizing rewards or paying off a big purchase while avoiding interest, there should be a card that fits your needs. You can even use the CreditCards.com CardMatch tool to check for cards that fit your credit profile, with no impact to your credit score. Here are a few alternatives to the Quicksilver Student card worth considering:

Discover it® Student Cash Back	Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Rewards rate Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.	Rewards rate 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services 1% Cash Back on all other purchases	Rewards rate 1% cash back on all purchases 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
APR 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.	APR 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable) (See rates and Fees)	APR 19.99% variable
Introductory offer Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.	Introductory offer Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months	Introductory offer $50 bonus earned after first purchase made within the first 3 months
Other things to know No fee on first late payment (after that, up to $41)	Other things to know Automatically considered for a credit limit increase after six months of on-time payments No foreign transaction fees Credit tracking tools	Other things to know $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years Free access to credit score Redeem points for cash back, travel and more

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Though the Discover it® Student Cash Back offers student-friendly benefits and a high cash back rate in rotating bonus categories, it requires some effort on your part to maximize those rewards. You will have to activate these quarterly rotating categories and plan your spending habits accordingly to earn that cash back. However, if you don’t mind tracking these categories, then this card may be worth it. Keep in mind, too, that Discover will match all the cash back earned at the end of the first year.

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Card

The new Capital One Savor Student card offers great variety with its bonus cash back categories, as well as a $0 annual fee (See rates and Fees). Cardholders can earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services (enrollment required) and at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target). You’ll also earn 5% back on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel, 1% cash back on all other purchases and 8% cash back on tickets at the Capital One Entertainment portal, which could be a huge perk if you are an avid music fan.

Chase Freedom Student credit card

A good option for students beginning their credit journey, the Chase Freedom Student credit card offers cardholders a $50 welcome bonus after you make your first purchase within the first three months, plus an additional $20 annual bonus for the first five years if you keep your account in good standing. You can also earn 1% cash back on all purchases and take advantage of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program to redeem your earnings in the form of cash back, statement credits, Apple purchases, travel and more. Many incoming college students lack a car for at least their first year, so it’s a nice perk that Chase Freedom Student also earns 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025. Exploring your college town just got more affordable.

Who should get the Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

• Students at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution looking to continue to build their credit
• Students who want to build credit and earn rewards
• Students who prefer cash back instead of points or travel

How to use the Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card:

• Use the card for small purchases to keep credit utilization low and ensure you can pay off your balance each month
• Pay off your credit balance in full every month to avoid a high APR
• Stay on top of your payments to be in good standing for consideration for a credit line increase
• Use the free credit education tool to monitor your credit score and progress with the CreditWise app

Is the Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card worth it?

If you’re confident you’ll be able to pay off your balance each month and are looking for a simple way to earn cash back while you build credit as a student, the Quicksilver Student card is easily one of your best student card options, offering a competitive flat rate at a low cost.

*All information about the Chase Freedom Student credit card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.