Best Capital One credit cards of September 2024
If you’re interested in transferable credit card miles and solid cash-back rewards, we recommend checking out TPG’s top picks for the best Capital One credit cards. Capital One offers cardholders many benefits, including several ways to earn cash back and miles across its credit card portfolio. You can even transfer miles from select cards to 15-plus transfer partners — most of which offer a 1:1 transfer ratio.
Because Capital One offers so many flexible options for cardholders — ranging from cards with no annual fee to premium cards for frequent jet-setters and ones that offer generous cash-back rewards in varying categories — you’re bound to find a solid option that suits your spending habits.
Below, review our curated selection of the best Capital One cards from our partners.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Travel Rewards
- Capital One Venture X Business: Best for businesses with high spending
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for Best premium travel credit card
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for unlimited business cash back
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for travel rewards with no annual fee
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for entertainment
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate cash back
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for business travel
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those with busy lives. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- This flexible rewards card delivers a solid sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit valued by TPG (not provided by the issuer) at $1,638 when adding together the value of the bonus miles and the Capital One Travel credit
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories.
- Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for any hotel or airline purchase for a statement credit or transferred to 15+ travel partners.
Cons
- Transfer ratios to a couple of partners are mediocre at less than 1:1 ratio.
- Capital One airline partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
- Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
| 2X miles | 2 miles on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
The Capital One Venture X business card has all the Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit and lounge access. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Business card.
Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card offers the potential to earn a welcome offer of 150,000 bonus miles
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 travel credit and airport lounge access, at a reasonable annual fee of $395
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free
Cons
- The card requires a high spend of $30,000 in the first three months to earn the 150,000-mile welcome bonus
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
- Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of options
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck? or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass? and Plaza Premium Group lounges
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
| 10 Miles | 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
If you can maximize the $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations) and lounge access, and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
Cons
- $395 annual fee
- A $300 credit annually only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
| 5% | Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2% | Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions |
The Capital Spark Cash Plus is a great cash back card for larger businesses with high spending. It allows business owners to earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, and Capital One will refund the card’s annual fee if the business meets a minimum spend of $150,000 annually. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card.
Pros
- The card features unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
- This card offers a large welcome bonus
- Hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel are eligible for 5% cash back
Cons
- The card has a $150 annual fee
- The required spend to waive the annual fee is very high
- The card’s balance must be paid in full every month
- Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- $150 annual fee - Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
- Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
- For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 1.25 Miles | 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
If you feel like paying an annual fee negates your will to learn about travel rewards, the Capital One VentureOne is the perfect place to begin. With no annual fee and a simple 1.25 miles per dollar rate on all purchases, you’ll earn miles that can be used for travel purchases or transferred to Capital One’s 15+ airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- No annual fee means that beginners can ease into the world of travel rewards with little stress.
- Easy-to-remember 1.25 miles per dollar earning rate on all purchases.
Cons
- The sign-up bonus is outdone by most competing credit cards.
- No bonus categories means that you may not necessarily maximize all your purchases to the fullest.
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
| 8% | 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases |
| 5% | 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?) |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on all other purchases |
The Capital One SavorOne is a great cash back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee. Dining, entertainment and groceries are high-value bonus categories, and it’s rare for a card to hit all three. Read our full review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?), plus 1% on all other purchases
- This card is great for beginners.
Cons
- If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential.
- The sign-up bonus isn’t anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn)
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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 and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
| 5% | Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply |
| 1.5% | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day |
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a decent option for those in need of a straightforward cash back card. However, there are other options that offer more flexibility to redeem your rewards. Read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Cash back doesn't expire
Cons
- Limited card perks and benefits
- Other cards offer more potential and upside when it comes to redeeming cash back
- Earn a 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
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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 and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere |
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a simple way to earn rewards on every business purchase, no matter the category. Those miles can then be easily redeemed for travel purchases or by transferring to partners. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.
Pros
- You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you don’t have to juggle different bonus categories.
- Employee cards are free and also earn 2x on all spending.
- It’s an affordable card that only charges $95 in annual fees, and that fee is waived the first year.
Cons
- The sign-up bonus is only worth $925 according to TPG valuations, which falls short against some of the top business travel cards.
- The card comes with minimal perks if you’re wanting additional benefits for when you travel.
- Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck? or Global Entry
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
Comparing the best Capital One credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | Travel Rewards | Earn 75,000 + $250 in Travel Credit Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel | 2 - 5X miles | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | businesses with high spending | 150,000 miles Open Intro bonus 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening | 2 - 10X miles | $395 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | Best premium travel credit card | Earn 75,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel | 2 - 10X miles | $395 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | unlimited business cash back | $2,000 cash back Open Intro bonus $2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year | 2 - 5% cash-back | $150 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | travel rewards with no annual fee | 20,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel | 1.25 - 5X miles | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | entertainment | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 8% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | flat-rate cash back | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 1.5 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | business travel | 50,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 2 - 5X miles | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that |
More details on the best Capital One cards
When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or someone who takes just a few trips a year, this card is ideal for anyone who wants to easily earn miles on every purchase, which can then be redeemed for travel rewards.
“The Capital One Venture is a great card that can add value to pretty much anyone's wallet. I use it to earn 2 miles per dollar on the purchases that fall outside of my other cards' bonus categories. The annual fee is low, Capital One miles are easy to redeem, and the card does come with a few nice perks — including TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee reimbursement.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor
The Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card card lets you earn bonus points in multiple categories, including 2 points per dollar on travel purchases and 3 points on dining. Plus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred also has the same $95 annual fee as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees).
Capital One's Venture X Business credit card offers a ton of earning potential for a modest annual fee when it comes to premium cards. Airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles each cardmember anniversary and the ability to add authorized users at no added cost to the main cardholder are just a few reasons we love the Venture X Business.
The Venture X Business card is great for businesses that have higher operating costs. Additionally, this card is also solid for business owners and employees who travel frequently thanks to an earning structure that features 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar on flights when any of these three are booked via Capital One Travel.
The Venture X Business card features 15-plus hotel and airline partners, meaning cardholders have several options when it comes to choosing who they want to travel with. Plus, with the Venture X Business, you can opt to redeem earned miles for statement credits, gift cards or cash back (but you will typically find that transferring miles offers the most value).
If you're in the market for a premium travel credit card but do not want a business card, consider the Capital One Venture X personal card, as it features many of the same benefits as the Venture X Business but requires a lower spend to earn the welcome bonus.
As one of the best premium travel rewards cards on the market, the Capital One Venture X Credit Card offers valuable benefits such as lounge access, a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
This rewards card offers lucrative travel benefits and high earning rates of 10 Capital One miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles on flights booked through the portal. Since this card rewards travelers, frequent jet-setters will benefit the most from using this credit card.
“With an annual fee that is less than other premium cards (see rates and fees), the Capital One Venture X card is my favorite travel credit card. The card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel portal credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the annual fee down to $95 per year. Cardholders enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership. Authorized users — you get several at no cost — enjoy their own Priority Pass Select membership and Hertz President's Circle status. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar in spending categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile (e.g., auto maintenance, pharmacies, medical bills).” — Kyle Olsen, former points and miles reporter
Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Though the Chase Sapphire Reserve? has a higher annual fee, this credit card offers cardholders a chance to earn bonus points on travel and dining purchases. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth a bit more than Capital One miles, according to TPG’s valuations.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a business cash-back card that offers 2% on all purchases with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees). Additionally, you can add employee cards for free and earn 2% cash back from their purchases as well.
If your business spends more than $7,500 annually and you don’t want to keep up with multiple bonus categories, this is the perfect card for you.
If you are a business owner, this card will earn you unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase — with no limits or category restrictions.
With the Ink Business Unlimited? Credit Card, you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business. Similarly to the Spark Cash Plus card, you can earn rewards through employee cards at no additional cost. Plus, this card gives you the ability to set individual spending limits on each card.
If paying an annual fee and keeping track of bonus category spending negate your will to learn more about travel rewards, the Capital One VentureOne is the perfect place to begin. With no annual fee (see rates and fees) and a simple rate of 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases, you’ll earn miles that can be used for travel purchases or transferred to Capital One’s 15-plus travel partners.
Since this card offers an earning rate of 1.25 miles on every dollar, this is a solid credit card option for beginners who want to ease into the world of travel rewards. You can earn bonus miles with each purchase and don’t have to worry about paying a high annual fee.
“I wanted a credit card that earns Capital One miles without an annual fee, and this is a winner. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some other cards, but I’m happy earning 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases without paying a fee to keep this card year after year. I’ll never cancel this card.” — Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer
If you value cash back over reward points, the Chase Freedom Flex? card offers 5% cash back on select bonus categories and travel purchased through Chase Travel?. Cardholders will also receive a nice sign-up bonus and pay no annual fee.
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers bonus cash-back rewards on everyday purchases, such as dining, entertainment and groceries. With no annual fee, it’s a great beginner cash-back card (see rates and fees).
The Capital One SavorOne is a good option for beginners because it offers a solid rewards structure with no annual fee.
If you love going out to eat or find yourself buying weekly groceries, this rewards card will allow you to earn unlimited 3% cash back on those purchases. With a $0 annual fee, this is a great everyday card for everyone to have in their wallets.
The Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express is a great option for people who want to earn cash-back rewards on popular categories, including U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Plus, this cash-back card has no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and no limit on how much cash back you can earn. This is a good card for those wanting to immediately benefit from cash-back rewards, which will never expire.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a decent option for those in need of a straightforward cash-back card for everyday purchases. With no bonus categories, it’s a great beginner-friendly credit card.
Cardholders will earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. With no annual fee and a ??one-time $200 cash bonus — after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening — this card can be beneficial for those looking for a rewards credit card and who value earning cash back over Capital One miles.
The Citi Double Cash? Card (see rates and fees) offers more cash-back rewards with an earning rate of 2% on every purchase (1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off). This card also has no annual fee, which makes it a great alternative to the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a simple way to earn rewards on every business purchase, no matter the category. Those miles can then be easily redeemed for travel purchases or by transferring to partners.
Since you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, this is a great business card to earn rewards without having to juggle multiple bonus categories. Plus, employee cards are free, and they’ll also earn 2 miles on all spending.
With a high earning rate of 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, plus the ability to earn rewards on employee cards — which are free — this card makes it easy to stack up miles on every purchase made.
The Blue Business? Plus Credit Card from American Express will allow you to earn 2 points on everyday purchases, but only on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after. Since you earn bonus points on all purchases (up to the yearly spending cap), it is a great business card option.
Maximizing Capital One credit cards
Recognize your everyday spending habits
Whether you are jet-setting across the Atlantic or making a trip to your local grocery store, Capital One’s extensive credit card portfolio offers customers the chance to earn rewards that can be most beneficial for their lifestyle. For example, to offset the cost of weekly groceries for your family of four, you should consider an unlimited cash-back card.
However, if you want to earn and redeem miles on travel, a card that offers lucrative travel benefits, such as a $300 statement credit and bonus miles on hotels and rental cars, may be more beneficial to you.
Understand your card benefits to maximize your reward-earning potential
Though some Capital One cards favor travel rewards, others prioritize spending on everyday purchases (i.e., groceries and dining). It’s important to understand the specific reward rates offered on your card to maximize your earning potential.
For example, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card will earn you unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, while the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card will earn you 1% cash back on all purchases. However, the SavorOne also earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding Walmart? and Target?). Therefore, if you are regularly dining out and have monthly subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu, the SavorOne card may be more beneficial in helping you maximize your rewards.
Examine the benefits of having multiple cards
If you’re in good financial standing and are able to pay off your credit card bill each month, you can benefit from having multiple rewards cards. If you’re like most people, you probably take a vacation (or two) every year, as well as spend money on everyday expenses such as groceries and streaming services.
For example, the SavorOne Cash Rewards card offers solid cash-back rewards on select purchases, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card gives you a high earning rate on travel booked through Capital One Travel plus an array of other perks. Therefore, with both of these cards in your wallet, you can maximize your reward-earning potential.
What is Capital One?
Capital One is an American financial institution that offers a variety of services, including credit cards, banking, savings accounts and loans.
Types of Capital One credit cards
With Capital One’s extensive portfolio of credit cards, consumers are able to choose the card that best fits their needs. Whether you are interested in cash-back rewards with a low annual fee or a high-earning travel credit card to redeem for flights, hotels and more, Capital One’s expansive network can benefit all cardholders.
This type of rewards card may have a high earning rate for Capital One miles that you can redeem in a variety of travel-related ways (i.e., airfare, hotels or car rentals). Through the use of travel rewards cards, you can save money when booking your next trip by redeeming miles or transferring your miles to a travel partner, mostly at a 1:1 ratio.
Not all cash-back cards are created equal, and while some will offer you a flat rate on all purchases, other cards will give you a higher earning rate when using them on specific items, such as groceries and streaming services.
Whether this is your first credit card or you would like to build your credit score, a beginner-friendly card with a low annual fee and several reward options can help teach you financial responsibility while also helping you set and achieve realistic goals.
Student cards can help build your credit score, which is critical when it comes time to apply for a car loan, take out a mortgage or even sign a lease for an apartment. In addition, a cash-back card can help you earn rewards on student expenses such as books, groceries and everyday purchases.
You don’t necessarily need to own a business to have this type of credit card. Whether you own your own company, work as a freelancer or have a small side hustle, this type of credit card can help you keep your personal and business spending separate.
Business credit cards can offer lucrative cash back or miles on your day-to-day expenses. Plus, depending on the card you choose, there are opportunities to earn bonus rewards on business-related purchases, such as travel, office supplies and more.
How we rate cards
Capital One credit card benefits
Being a Capital One cardholder comes with several benefits and perks. These range from a variety of transfer partners when booking travel and solid earning rates across the issuer's card portfolio. Here are other perks you get when you carry a Capital One card in your wallet.
Capital One miles are earned on every purchase made with the Venture X, Venture, VentureOne and Spark Miles credit cards. You can redeem your miles at a fixed value or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. This means your rewards are flexible — they can cover standard airline and hotel charges but also nontraditional travel purchases such as helicopter rides or cruises (neither of which are typically easily covered by points and miles).
TPG currently values Capital One miles at 1.85 cents apiece when you leverage the issuer’s transfer partners. This can offer some terrific value for your rewards.
Capital One offers cardholders the ability to earn statement credits and bonus miles by shopping via its online portal at thousands of retailers. If you book travel through Capital One Travel, you can earn additional bonus miles using eligible cards. Plus, cardholders won’t pay foreign transaction fees when traveling.
Capital One credit cards offer $0 fraud liability: “If your card is lost or stolen, you will not be responsible for unauthorized charges,” per the company’s website. Additionally, the financial institution offers fraud detection alerts via personalized emails or texts if the company detects an unexpected charge or mistake.
Cardholders will surely eat up this perk: With Capital One Dining, you will receive access to hard-to-get reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as tickets to special culinary events.
Additionally, cardholders will receive VIP access to sporting events, concerts and more. Plus, through Capital One Entertainment, cardholders can receive additional on-site perks.
Venture, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders will receive up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees after you use your card to pay for your membership. If you’re already enrolled in one of these programs, you can even use the credit for a friend or family member.
How to redeem Capital One rewards
Redemptions on Capital One cards are pretty simple. You can redeem your Savor or Quicksilver cash back as a check, set up automatic redemptions at a specific time or at specific cash thresholds, or redeem it for statement credits or gift cards.
With the Venture X, Venture, Venture X Business or Spark Miles cards, you can use your miles to receive a statement credit for eligible travel purchases charged to your card. You can also book a flight, car rental or hotel through the Capital One Travel portal (or call if you’d rather book by phone) and use your miles to pay for it. For any of these redemption options, your miles are worth 1 cent apiece.
Additionally, you can transfer your Venture or Spark miles to airline or hotel partners in increments of 1,000 Capital One miles and then use the partner program to book a hotel stay or flight.
Here is a quick rundown of the loyalty programs you can transfer miles to with Capital One:
- Aeromexico Rewards
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- ALL – Accor Live Limitless
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Choice Privileges
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Airways Guest
- EVA Airways Infinity MileageLands
- Finnair Plus
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Virgin Red
- Wyndham Rewards
It’s worth noting that the time it takes for your miles to transfer varies from partner to partner.
How to choose the best Capital One credit card
- Earning a sign-up bonus is a great way to take advantage of boosting the number of points, miles or cash back you’ve got saved up. Choose a Capital One card that features a decent bonus you can utilize for travel, as a statement credit or as a cash deposit into your bank account. Just make sure you opt for a sign-up bonus that fits your spending habits and budget.1Sign-up bonus
- Depending on what you plan to use your Capital One card for, you may want to consider a no annual fee option or a premium card with a more expensive annual fee that offers premium earning rates and benefits.2Annual fee
- The best Capital One credit cards offer popular bonus categories in which you can maximize your spending and reward earnings. Opt for the card that best matches the areas in which you spend the most money.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Capital One card — and why?
Pros + cons of Capital One credit cards
Pros
- Capital One credit cards earn valuable cash back or miles that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards
- Many Capital One cards provide travel and shopping protections to grant you peace of mind on your purchases
- Capital One offers some cards with lucrative perks — including travel credits, lounge access and reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Cons
- Capital One’s list of transfer partners for Venture and Spark miles includes mostly non-U.S. airlines
- You may not travel enough to be able to justify the annual fee on higher-end Capital One cards
What TPG readers have to say about their favorite Capital One credit cards
Credit cards can make or break your travel experience which is why choosing the best card for your travel style is a very important but personal decision. Our readers share the card that has made the biggest impact on their travel and dining experience below.
Note: Reader-submitted responses have not been edited, reviewed or approved by the issuers nor reflect TPG’s opinions of these cards.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
“Been to 85 countries and 50 states. I’ve tried about every card along the way. My favorite… Capital One Venture X. Terrific for earning miles… and (by far) the best and most flexible options for redeeming miles.” - Brad Ball via a TPG Social Media post
“Capital One Venture X. Benefits that will truly be used. Just spent 3 weeks in Europe. Used priority pass for lounge access in about 6 locations. The Europe lounges were great. Also, the Hertz President’s Circle upgrade is fantastic. Booked a small compact car and used my upgrade for an Audi SUV. We received about $700-$800 worth of value in just a few weeks.” - Ed Burke via a TPG Social Media post
**Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at the upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
“Right now I love the 10X on Uber Eats and the free Uber One membership on Savor One.* I do hate how it is supposed to sunset in November, I hope this gets extended!” - Will Linden via a TPG Social Media post
*Through November 14, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Capital One has focused on providing customers a good value in terms of earning and redeeming miles or cash-back rewards. Capital One cards are versatile and flexible. Therefore, whether you’re an individual or a business or looking to earn miles or cash back, Capital One has a card that can help you achieve your travel goals.
While some Capital One credit cards, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card, may require an “excellent” (700 or above) credit score, other cards, like the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, may require a “fair” (580-669) credit score. Luckily, Capital One offers an online preapproval tool — with no harm to your credit — to let you find out which cards you are approved for.
There is a limit of two Capital One credit cards per person. However, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card and Capital One’s cobranded cards are not included in the limit.
First, closing a credit card may negatively affect your credit score. However, if you wish to proceed with canceling your Capital One credit card because you either are no longer using the card or the rewards are not beneficial to your lifestyle, Capital One recommends doing the following:
- Pay off your card balance
- Redeem your credit card rewards
- Contact Capital One
- Check your credit report
- Destroy the card