Credit Cards Student Credit Cards

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One Review [2024]: What Was a Great Card

The Journey Student Rewards Card from Capital One isn’t available to new customers, but you can still earn rewards if you already have one.

Updated Nov. 12, 2024
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Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

OUR VIEW

The Journey Student Rewards Card from Capital One was a good card for young adults when it was still available. But unfortunately, it’s no longer offered.

If you’re in the market for a student rewards card, Capital One has some other choices, as well as Discover, Chase, and Bank of America. The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is probably the best alternative, but it doesn’t incentivize on-time payments like the Journey student card did. Check out our recommendations for the best credit cards for students for a full list.

This review will cover the Journey Student Rewards if you’re a current cardholder (or just curious).

Pros

Motivates you to pay your bill on time
No foreign transaction fee
No cash back limits

Cons

Only earn elevated cash back on Capital One Travel
Limited redemption options compared to similar cards
How we evaluate products

Editor's note:
This card is no longer available to new applicants.

Card basics

Card type Student
Credit card issuer Capital One
Credit card network Mastercard
Reward 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
Recommended credit score Fair
Foreign transaction fee None

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One rewards

Earning potential

This card offers 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. The Journey Student Rewards card also offers an autopay feature, so you’ll never miss the due date and can always qualify for that higher rate. You’ll also build credit by building up a positive payment history, so it’s a win-win.

Some student cards offer higher reward rates. If rewards are important to you, check out the Discover it® Student Cash Back. 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. The good news is that the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One doesn’t have complicated earnings categories or require you to activate bonus categories during specific times of the year.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is probably the most similar to the Journey Student Rewards card in terms of its earning structure. It earns Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Redemptions

Since this is a simple cashback card, there’s not much you can do to get more value out of your earnings. This card gives you the choice of redeeming your rewards via check, gift cards, or statement credit. Your rewards never expire, and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.

You can also set up automatic redemptions for your rewards, if you’d prefer. Choose a specific time each year to redeem your cash back, or select a certain dollar threshold (as little as $25 up to $1,500) to cash in rewards automatically.

Journey Student Rewards benefits

  • Simple credit line increases: Don’t worry if you start out with a lower credit limit than you’d like. You’ll automatically be considered for a higher credit line as soon as six months after you open this account.
  • Travel perks: This credit card has no foreign transaction fees, so you can travel abroad without paying extra fees.
  • Capital One Entertainment: Receive special access to music, sporting, and dining events through the Capital One Entertainment portal. You have the option to use your rewards, your card, or a combination of the two to pay for tickets.

If you want a travel student card, check out the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students. It earns 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.

Who should get the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card?

If you have a limited credit history, the Journey Student Rewards Card could be a great choice. You can qualify with fair credit, and you’ll do yourself a favor with your credit and wallet by making on-time payments.

That extra incentive to earn bonus cash back is a great perk for those committed to being a good steward of their credit card and avoiding late payments. Plus, you have the potential to access a higher credit line as soon as six months after opening the account.

If you're new to credit, this card has some features that might come in handy. You can also use Eno, Capital One's assistant, to easily access card information like your balance, available credit, and recent transactions.

It’s also a great card for those who are interested in international travel since there are no foreign transaction fees.

Other cards to consider

If the Journey Student Rewards card isn’t a good fit, here are some alternatives:

Discover it® Student Cash Back

This is another cashback card that rewards you for purchases. With the Discover it Student Cash Back, you can 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. And Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

Learn more in our Discover it Student Cash Back review.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students

This card is another great choice, as it has a welcome offer and higher rewards than the Journey Student Rewards Card. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students offers the ability to earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You also earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Learn more in our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students review.

FAQs

Do I have to be a student to qualify for the Capital One Journey Student Rewards Card?

Because it’s no longer offered, no one can qualify for a new Capital One Journey Student Rewards Card. Though most student credit cards require you to be enrolled in school, this wasn’t one of them. You did, however, need to be at least 18 years old and a U.S resident.

That said, this card was designed to be used by students. If you’re not in school, other credit cards would serve your needs better anyway. For example, you might prefer to build your credit with a secured credit card.

What credit score do I need to get the Journey Student Rewards Card?

Capital One’s website doesn’t explicitly state the exact credit score you needed for this card, except that you needed a credit score that’s poor to fair.

According to FICO, a fair credit score ranges from 580 to 669.

Can I upgrade this card after I graduate?

You may be able to upgrade this card if you already have it, but this will depend on your specific situation. Factors such as your credit score, payment history, and income will all be considered before you’re approved for a different card.

To inquire about upgrading your card, log into your Capital One account and contact a customer service representative or call their customer service hotline to see what can be done.

Double Rewards on Gas and Dining

4.55
info

Discover it® Student Chrome

Current Offer

Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details