Review: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
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Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne is an uncomplicated rewards card for people with fair credit. You’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash back for every purchase, and gain a few useful spending and credit monitoring tools and a handful of shopping and travel protections. Despite the annual fee, you could do worse if you’re looking to build your credit.
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Our Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars
We gave the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card 5 out of 5 Stars because even though this card is designed for fair credit, it provides a decent amount of cash back for every purchase.
Why We Like It
- Designed for average credit but still offers some cash back
- You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months
- The CreditWise tool can help you improve your credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Why It Could Be Better
- No welcome bonus
- $39 annual fee you’ll need to pay
- Extra benefits are pretty basic for the most part
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a cash back card designed for people with fair or average credit. It’s one of the better cards you’ll find for this level of credit, because most don’t offer any rewards at all.
You’ll get 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make, a fairly good rate. But you’ll need to pay a $39 annual fee to use this card.
Cards for average credit don’t typically come with very high credit limits, but when using the QuicksilverOne, you may be automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months. It also comes with several Platinum Mastercard benefits, like Price Protection and Travel Accident Insurance.
It’s pretty simple and it’s not the most rewarding card, but if you don’t have the best credit your options will be somewhat limited. There’s an upgraded version with better rewards and benefits, but it also requires better credit: the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review). If you have good or excellent credit, check out that card first. There’s also another Capital One card for average credit that offers rewards.
| Card | Credit Level | Annual Fee | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review) | Good or Excellent | $0 |
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| Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (This review) | Fair or Average | $39 |
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| Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Review) | Fair or Average | $0 |
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Insider Advice: Getting the Most Out of Your Card
- Use your card for everything: Use this card for all of your spending to earn a flat 1.5% cash back on everything you buy.
- Use it in tandem: Consider combining this card with a different rewards card with bonus categories. Then you can use that other card to earn more cash back in those spending categories, while using the QuicksilverOne for all your other purchases.
- Watch one of your credit scores: Use the CreditWise credit monitoring service to track your VantageScore 3.0 over time, see parts of your TransUnion credit report, and get advice to build up your credit.
- Practice responsible use: Use this card responsibly, always making your monthly payments and paying your balance in full, to improve your credit scores. Eventually, with good financial habits in general, you’ll be able to qualify for a more rewarding card. Then you can close out the QuicksilverOne so you don’t need to pay the annual fee any longer.
- Pay your full balance: Make a habit of paying your statement balance in full every billing period. This will prevent interest from accruing, helping you stay away from credit card debt. It will be better for your credit utilization too, leading to higher scores.
The Rewards
Earning
| Spending Rewards |
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1.5% cash back may not seem like much, but remember that this card is designed for fair or average credit. So its main purpose is to help you improve your credit scores.
The cash back is more like a nice extra feature to find on a card like this. If you don’t have good credit you won’t be able to qualify for better cards, and rewards cards designed for average credit are rare. One of the others to strongly consider is the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Review), also issued by Capital One.
Redeeming
You can redeem your cash back whenever you want and for any amount. It won’t expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
When it comes time to redeem, you can do so for statement credits, gift cards, or use it to directly cover a recent purchase.
Many credit cards require you to reach a certain amount before you can redeem it, and then you may only be able to do so in certain denominations. So being able to redeem any amount whenever you want is pretty convenient. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (Review) is a similar card that lets you redeem any amount at any time.
The Benefits
You’ll get a decent set of extra benefits compared to other cards designed for a similar credit range. Especially useful are the credit tracking and education tools you can access, which will help you fine-tune your efforts to build or rebuild your credit.
- Access a higher credit line: Capital One may automatically consider you for a higher credit line after six months. Credit cards for average credit typically come with credit limits on the small side, like $1,000 or less at first, so this is a nice feature to have.
- Capital One CreditWise: The CreditWise service provides free access to one of your VantageScore 3.0 credit scores, based on your TransUnion credit report. You can monitor your score over time and get alerts about any changes. Anyone can enroll in the CreditWise service, cardholder or not.
- Mastercard Global Service: Get help with lost and stolen card reporting, emergency card replacement, and emergency cash advances.
- Travel Assistance Services: If you have an emergency while traveling, call the number on the back of the card or 1-800-992-6029 for help getting connected to local emergency services.
- Extended Warranty: Use your card to buy a product, and you’ll double an eligible manufacturer’s warranty of up to 12 months.
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance: If your car breaks down just call 1-800-MC-ASSIST to get help sent right away (you must pay for any third-party charges).
- Travel Accident Insurance: You’ll receive up to $100,000 in coverage against accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech, or hearing while riding on common carriers.
- Auto Rental Insurance Waiver: Your eligible rented vehicles are covered against collision damage and theft, as long as you decline the rental company’s insurance.
- Capital One Second Look fraud coverage: This tool will automatically monitor your account, 24/7, for fraudulent activity.
- Identity Theft Resolution Services: Finding out that someone has stolen your identity and is pretending to be you is going to be stressful. Thankfully, Capital One is ready to help. If you believe that you’ve been a victim of identity theft call 1-800-MC-ASSIST. These services are available at no charge.
The Terms & Fees
| Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Cash Advance APR |
|---|---|---|
| 26.99% (Variable) | 26.99% (Variable) | 26.99% (Variable) |
| Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|
| $39 | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | Cash Advance Fee |
|---|---|
| $0 | 3% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10 |
| Penalty APR | Late Fee | Returned Payment Fee |
|---|---|---|
| None | Up to $40 | See Terms |
You’ll need to pay a $39 annual fee to use this card, but when it comes to improving credit this is a pretty small price to pay.
The other terms are pretty straightforward. Any purchases will accrue interest at the rate shown above, unless you pay off your entire balance in full each billing period. This is our recommended strategy, and it’s even more important if you’re working to build or rebuild your credit.
Paying your balance in full each month will have several positive effects on your credit and your finances in general:
- Interest won’t accrue on purchases, making it easier to stay out of credit card debt
- It will keep your credit utilization lower, which is better for your credit scores
- The credit line will be freed up so you can use the card again
- Establishing a credit history of timely payments will show the card issuer and the credit reporting agencies that you’re a responsible card user
To make things more convenient you can set up autopay for the full statement balance each month. This will also ensure that you never forget and get a late payment fee.
Read more Capital One Cash Advances: What They Are and Why to Avoid ThemThe Bottom Line
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for fair credit, and with that in mind it’s a pretty good offer.
The fee might seem a bit high, but remember that you’re paying for the privilege of building up your credit. There’s no need to pay extra in interest charges because you can just pay off your balance in full each month, preventing any interest from accruing.
The 1.5% cash back will help you pay for the annual fee every year, and, depending on how much you spend, you may have quite a bit left over too. Most cards that are meant for less than good or excellent credit don’t provide any rewards at all, so 1.5% is not bad. It’s even competitive with some cards designed for better credit.
You won’t get a ton of valuable extra perks, but you may get a higher credit line just six months into using your card. And the CreditWise tool is a good way to keep an eye on your credit as you work to improve it, providing tips to increase your credit scores faster.
The QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards isn’t a bad card, but it might not be right for you. Check out some alternatives to this card below, which offer general cash back rewards but have no annual fee.
How Do I Apply for the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Card?
You can apply now securely on Capital One’s website by following the link below.
Most people will get an instant decision, either approved or denied, but in some cases it could take longer. Capital One may request more information from you.
What Credit Scores Do I Need to Qualify for the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Card?
It’s recommended for you to have fair credit or higher for the best chances of being approved.
That would mean your credit scores fall within the ranges of 580–669 for FICO and 650–699 for VantageScore.
There are other factors that affect your creditworthiness that credit card issuers take a look at, like income and source of income. So even if you have lower credit scores, you still might be approved. However, that means even if your scores are higher than what’s recommended, there’s a chance you won’t make the cut.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Must not have applied for a Capital One credit card two or more times in the last 30 days
- Must not have two or more open credit card accounts with Capital One
- Must not be past due or over the credit line with any Capital One credit accounts
- Must be 18 to apply
- Personal identifying information: SSN, address, phone number
- Financial information: Total annual income, source of income, monthly mortgage/rent payment
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Capital One QuicksilverOne card have an annual fee?
Yes, it has an annual fee of $39. Interested in credit cards with no annual fees? We’ve put together a list.
Can my credit limit be increased?
Yes, Capital One may automatically consider you for an increase in credit line after six months. Manage your card and other credit accounts responsibly (always pay your bills on time) for the best chance at a higher limit.
Curious how your credit limit can impact your credit scores?
Alternatives to the Capital One QuicksilverOne Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review) is basically an upgraded version of the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards, and it’s designed for good or excellent credit instead of average.
Since it’s meant for people with better credit it comes with better terms and rewards. Just remember this: the Quicksilver is for good credit, while the QuicksilverOne is for average credit.
You won’t get quick access to a higher credit line with the Quicksilver card. But that shouldn’t be a problem because you’ll probably be approved with a higher credit limit than you would with the QuicksilverOne.
Other than that, many of the shopping and travel protections will be similar, though you’ll likely get a better selection with the Quicksilver.
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus Offer |
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- Capital One CreditWise: Provides free access to one of your VantageScore 3.0 credit scores, based on your TransUnion credit report.
- Travel protections: Rental car insurance and travel accident insurance
- Shopping protection: Extended warranty
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 15.49% - 25.49% (Variable)
- Annual fee: $0
- One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 15.49%-25.49% variable APR after that
- Pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One (Review) is billed as a student card, but you don’t actually need to be a student to apply. This isn’t a top-secret loophole or anything, a Capital One rep informed us about it.
As a student card it’s designed for average credit, like the QuicksilverOne. But it has a different reward and fee structure that could make it a better card for you, namely the lack of an annual fee.
You’ll earn slightly less than you would with the Quicksilver card, but because there’s no annual fee, anything you do earn will be profit.
However, with enough spending per year, the Quicksilver will become more profitable than the Journey Student. You’ll need to spend $16,000 before you’ll end up getting more cash back with the QuicksilverOne, after accounting for the annual fee. So if you spend less than that annually, you’d probably be better off with the Journey Student card.
| Spending Rewards |
|---|
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- $60 streaming credit: $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming services, when you pay on time
- Higher credit line: The issuer will consider increasing your credit line in as little as six months.
- Capital One CreditWise: Access your VantageScore 3.0 credit score, based on your TransUnion credit report, for free (available online or through a mobile app).
- Travel protections: Rental car insurance, travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, and 24/7 travel assistance services
- Shopping protection: Extended warranty
- Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 26.99% (Variable)
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
- Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases. Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month
- Earn $5 per month for 12 months on Select Streaming Subscriptions when you pay on time. *Exclusions Apply
- Enjoy no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- You can help build your credit with responsible use of a card like this
- Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer (Review) is the most rewarding general-use cash back card with no annual fee on the market today. If 1.5% cash back isn’t good enough for you, this card might have what you’re looking for.
It’s another very simple rewards program, but in this case you earn 2% cash back and it gets split up. You’ll get the first percent when you make the purchase, and the second when you pay it off. (You must pay at least the minimum due to earn rewards.)
On top of that flat rate, there’s a solid balance transfer offer attached. Balance transfers could be a big help, especially if you have a large debt starting to accrue interest on another card.
This credit card offers a similar set of benefits as the QuicksilverOne, minus the shopping and travel protections. You won’t get any travel accident or rental car insurance here like you would with the Capital One card, but you’ll be able to check your FICO Bankcard Score 8, based on your Equifax credit report, which is always handy.
| Spending Rewards |
|---|
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- Free FICO credit score: See your Equifax-based FICO Bankcard Score 8 on statements, online, and by mobile app.
- Citi Concierge: Get restaurant suggestions, reservations, travel arrangements, shopping research, and more.
- Citi Entertainment: Get preferred access and pre-sale tickets to events and experiences, from music to movies.
- Purchase APR: 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
- Balance transfer fee: Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
- Annual fee: $0
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (Review) is a bit like the QuicksilverOne, but it has slightly more favorable terms.
The Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back, just like the QuicksilverOne. But in addition to some more heartier rewards, it also provides a fairly rewarding welcome bonus, a step up. There’s no annual fee, and a solid intro APR of 0% for 15 months before the regular 14.99% - 23.74% Variable APR kicks in.
The benefits of the Freedom Unlimited and the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards are pretty much the same, for the most part. They each come with some useful protections, though the Freedom Unlimited may be available at an upgraded Visa Signature level, which could include additional benefits like Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.
The Freedom Unlimited is made for people with better credit, so consider this card if you’re on the edge of average and good credit.
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus Offer |
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- $100 referral bonus: You’ll get $100 cash back for every friend you refer who successfully applies for the Freedom Unlimited, up to $500 per year.
- Shop through Chase: Earn extra cash back at select retailers via the Shop through Chase shopping portal.
- Chase Offers: Take advantage of discounts on certain products or with select retailers. Deals must be activated first through either Chase.com or the Chase mobile app.
- Credit Journey: Monitor your credit with this useful tool by viewing your VantageScore 3.0 based on your TransUnion credit report.
- Shopping protections: Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty
- Travel protections: Such as Travel and Emergency Assistance Services and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waivers
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 – 23.74%.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
Brendan Harkness
Brendan has been writing about personal finance for over eight years, and is now taking on the challenge of bringing high quality credit education to the masses. He makes sure that Credit Card Insider is covering the most important credit topics transparently and precisely, and that we have up-to-date reviews of credit cards so you can find cards that are right for you.
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