Journey Student Rewards from Capital One vs. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card [2024]: The Quicksilver is Better

Capital One Journey vs. Quicksilver comparison

	Journey Student Rewards from Capital One	Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card type	Student/Cash back	Cash back
Credit card issuer	Capital One	Capital One
Credit card network	Visa	Mastercard
Welcome offer	None	Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earning rate	1% cash back on all purchases and 1.25% cash back each month you make an on-time monthly payment; plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel	1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Intro APR	N/A	0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)) 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)); Balance transfer fee applies
Other benefits	CreditWise alerts	Extended warranty protection Capital One Shopping Access to Capital One Entertainment Access to Capital One Dining CreditWise alerts
Foreign transaction fee	None	None
Credit needed	Fair	Excellent, Good
	Read full review	Read full review

When to stick with the Capital One Journey

Although this card is not open to new applicants, existing Capital One Journey cardholders can still earn cash back rewards with this card, although the rate is lower than the Quicksilver.

As a student credit card, the Capital One Journey also had lower credit score requirements. You typically needed only a fair credit score to qualify for the Journey card, while the Capital One Quicksilver generally requires an excellent credit score. If you’re still a student or working on building your credit profile, you may not qualify for the Quicksilver yet. In that case, stick with the Journey.

Keep in mind that credit scores are guidelines and not a guarantee of approval when you apply for a credit card.

Read our Journey Student review.

When to get the Capital One Quicksilver

In my opinion, the Quicksilver is the better choice, provided you can qualify. It has better benefits, a welcome offer, and a higher rewards rate. It might be a good fit for you if:

• You want a higher cashback rewards rate
• You’d like to earn a welcome bonus
• You’re interested in an introductory APR offer
• You want better perks and benefits

Earning potential

The Capital One Quicksilver provides 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) while the Capital One Journey provides 1% cash back on all purchases and 1.25% cash back each month you make an on-time monthly payment; plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Both cards are part of the Capital One cashback rewards program, but the Quicksilver simply has better earning potential with its 1.5% cashback rate on every purchase, every day.

Welcome bonus offer

The Capital One Journey doesn’t have a welcome offer, while the Quicksilver Cash Rewards does. With the Quicksilver, you can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

This could be a quick and easy way to earn some rewards on purchases you were already planning on making after becoming a new cardholder.

Introductory APR offers

The Capital One Quicksilver has two intro APR offers:

• Intro APR on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable))
• Intro APR on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)); Balance transfer fee applies

The Capital One Journey doesn’t have any intro APR offers.

More perks and benefits

The Capital One Quicksilver offers access to the Capital One Travel portal, Capital One Entertainment, Capital One Dining, and credit report change notifications with CreditWise. In addition, it also provides:

• Extended warranty protection to help protect eligible purchases
• 24-hour travel assistance services if your card is lost or stolen
• A 24/7 concierge service for different travel needs, such as booking a restaurant reservation or finding concert tickets
• Travel accident insurance for covered travel losses

Although the Capital One Journey also offers access to Capital One Travel and CreditWise, it doesn’t offer the other perks that the Quicksilver does.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver review.

What about having both cards?

If you’re approved for the Capital One Quicksilver, it could still make sense to keep the Journey in your wallet, since both cards share a few similar perks and benefits:

• Cash back: Both cards provide opportunities to earn cashback rewards on your eligible purchases.
• Redemption options: The redemption options are largely the same on both cards, including cash back, travel, covering past purchases, and gift cards.
• No foreign transaction fees: You don’t have to pay any foreign transaction fees with the Capital One Journey or Quicksilver.

Keeping older accounts open can also help your credit score, so I typically don’t close a card until I’m sure my credit score can afford to take a small hit.

FAQs

Bottom line

If you’re on the fence, I recommend going for the Capital One Quicksilver, even if you already have the Journey card. Sticking with the Capital One Journey could make sense if you can’t qualify for the Quicksilver, but otherwise, it’s worth going for the Quicksilver instead for the added perks and boosted rewards.

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash

Drawbacks

• Foreign transaction fee of 3%
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.