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If you want to earn cash back with minimal effort and no annual fee, the Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card is a good option. Some cards offer a higher rate of cash back, but there are tradeoffs, such as foregoing a welcome bonus offer or keeping track of bonus categories that earn more rewards.
Review: Is the Capital One Quicksilver the best cash-back credit card for you?
There are four main types of cash-back credit cards, and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card falls into the flat-rate rewards category. This means it earns the same amount of cash back on most purchases — in this case, 1.5% — no matter what you buy. In addition, this card now offers 5% cash back on hotel and car rental bookings made through Capital One Travel.
It also means it's one of the easiest cards to use, because you don't have to worry about keeping track of bonus earning categories.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has a substantial welcome offer for new cardholders: one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening. That's a decent deal for a card with no annual fee, and one of the many reasons the card is so popular.
You'll also get a handful of travel and shopping benefits, including no foreign transaction fees on international purchases. The card also gets you six months of free Uber One membership (offer ends November 14, 2024).
That said, there are other no-annual-fee cash-back cards that offer a similar intro bonus and potentially greater rewards on everyday spending, if you're willing to keep track of bonus categories. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex℠ earn up to 5% back in certain categories, so depending on your spending habits, one of these cards could be a better fit for you.
And if you're looking for a no-annual-fee card that has a higher rate of return on purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is hard to beat. You'll earn 2% cash rewards on purchases with no limit to what you can earn, along with a welcome bonus of $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.
How to earn rewards with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
You'll earn a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus 5% back on hotel and car rental bookings through Capital One Travel.
How to use rewards from the Quicksilver Cash Rewards
You can redeem your rewards from the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card for a check in the mail or a statement credit. It's also possible to redeem rewards for gift cards, and your rewards will never expire as long as your account is open.
Unlike some other cash-back credit cards, there's no minimum redemption amount with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. You can also set up automatic redemptions, either at a set time each calendar year or when your rewards reach a certain threshold ($25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1,500).
Benefits and features
As a no-annual-fee card, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn't come with a ton of benefits, but there are a handful that could save you money if you make use of them.
Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
One of the biggest benefits of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) (after that, there's a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR).
This makes it easy to pay off big purchases over time without incurring huge interest charges. Just be sure you have the means to pay off your balance before the introductory APR period expires. And check out our list of the best balance transfer credit cards for more options.
Free Uber One membership
Through November 14, 2024, cardholders can activate up to six free months of Uber One membership, which comes with perks like ride discounts, $0 delivery fees on eligible Uber Eats orders, and exclusive benefits.
Extended warranty
When you use your Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card to pay for eligible items that come with a manufacturer's warranty, Capital One will provide extended warranty protection at no charge.
Travel accident insurance***
When you use your Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card to purchase the fare for your trip, you'll be eligible for automatic travel accident insurance for covered losses.
24-hour travel assistance service
If you're traveling and your card is lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement, as well as a cash advance, to help you on your way.
Concierge service
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card cardholders can access a concierge service 24 hours a day to help with things like dining reservations, event tickets, and travel bookings. The concierge service itself is free, but any third-party costs are your responsibility.
Event access
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card gets you access to VIP experiences like curated dinners and chef collaborations, discounts, and on-site perks at sports and concert events. To take advantage of this benefit, you'll need to use your card to purchase your tickets.
Account and security alerts
Cardholders receive alerts via text, email, or phone call if Capital One detects suspicious transactions or unexpected charges on the card, and can help you quickly unauthorized card use.
$0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges
If your card is lost or stolen, you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made to your account.
Virtual card numbers
If you want to pay for purchases online without revealing your actual card number, you can generate a virtual card number for more security.
Card lock
Cardholders can easily and instantly lock their account if their card is lost, stolen, or temporarily misplaced to prevent unauthorized charges.
Credit report alerts
You can receive alerts when information on your Experian or TransUnion credit report changes, like new account inquiries, credit score updates, or address changes.
Fees and Other Costs
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and doesn't add foreign transaction fees, so it's a good pick to use for travel abroad.
As with most cards, there are fees for late payments, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Comparison: Capital One Quicksilver vs other Capital One cards
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Rewards rate | 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.5% cash back on all other purchases | 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through December 14, 2024 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), eligible streaming services, and entertainment 1% cash back on all other purchases
| 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.25 miles per dollar on all other purchases |
Welcome bonus | Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening | $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening | 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening |
Card benefits | Extended warranty Travel accident insurance*** Travel assistance services Up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024 | Extended warranty*** Travel accident insurance*** Travel assistance services*** | Car rental insurance Extended warranty Travel accident insurance*** |
Intro APR offer | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months), then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months), then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR
| 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR |
Foreign transaction fee | No | No | No |
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Capital One Quicksilver card vs other cash-back cards
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Rewards rate | 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.5% cash back on all other purchases | 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3% cash back (3x points) on dining and drugstore purchases 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on everything else | 2% cash rewards on purchases |
Welcome bonus | one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening | 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back) | $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening |
Card benefits | Extended warranty Travel accident insurance*** Travel assistance services Up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024 | Extended warranty Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip interruption/cancellation insurance Travel and emergency assistance services | Cell phone protection Visa Signature Concierge Roadside dispatch Travel and emergency assistance services Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement Access to the Visa Signature Hotel Collection
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Intro APR offer | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months), then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR
| 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR |
Foreign transaction fee | No | Yes | Yes |
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Capital One Quicksilver card frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is worth it for folks looking to earn straightforward cash back on all purchases for no annual fee. It's also worth considering if you frequently spend on car rentals or hotels and you don't mind booking through Capital One Travel.
Along with that, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn't come with many lucrative benefits, but it still offers decent perks for a $0 annual fee. One of the best perks is six months of Uber One membership, but it's only available for a limited time (offer ends November 14, 2024).
However, there are other no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards that earn more rewards (like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or the Chase Freedom Flex). So make sure to check out all your options before applying.
Most folks who qualify for the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card have a good to excellent credit score (FICO score of at least 670).
Methodology: How We Reviewed the Capital One Quicksilver Card
We rate credit cards by weighing five factors equally, and comparing them against other, similar credit cards currently available:
- Welcome bonus offer
- Annual fee
- Rewards rates
- Using rewards
- Benefits
Read more about how we pick the best credit cards and how we rate credit cards »
Alternatives to the Capital One Quicksilver card
If you're on the fence about the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and considering other options, you should see how several different cash-back credit cards stack up in terms of benefits and rewards.
For example, the Citi Double Cash Card offers 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay). That said, if you want to consolidate high-interest debt, the Citi Double Cash Card has a great 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR) that could save you a ton on interest charges.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited, on the other hand, offers a welcome bonus of 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back).
It earns 5% cash back on travel purchases made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, 3% back on drugstores and dining, and 1.5% back on everything else with no cap. If you spend a lot on the bonus categories, you'll likely do better with the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and it also comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR).
It pays to compare cash-back credit cards and their rewards programs to find the right one for you. You may find you really do want to earn a flat rate of rewards, but it's also possible you'd like a card that offers even more in bonus categories.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
**Enrollment required.
***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply