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Editor's note:
This card is no longer available. For college students looking to build credit and earn rewards, check our recommendations for the best credit cards for students.Just because you’re still in school doesn’t mean you can’t start working toward a healthy financial future. In fact, if you begin building credit as a college student, it might be easier to do things like rent an apartment or take out an auto loan when you start your post-college life.
Enter the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One, a card that helps you build good credit habits and offers a little kickback to boot. In this Journey Student Rewards from Capital One credit card review, we’ll take a look at this card’s features and whether it’s the right choice for you.
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. Cardholders can earn 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.
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.
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 benefits and perks
- Unlimited cashback rewards: 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.
- Simple credit line increases: Don’t worry if you start out with a lower credit limit than you’d like. You will get automatic consideration 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 don't have to worry about this extra cost when traveling abroad.
- 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.
Drawbacks to the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
- Low rewards rate: Some student cards offer higher reward rates. If rewards are important to you, check out the Discover it® Student Cash Back.
Earning & redeeming cash back
Best ways to earn
The good news is that the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One doesn’t have complicated earnings categories or make you activate bonus categories during specific times of the year.
All you need to do is use your credit card for your regular purchases to earn 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.
Be sure to make on-time payments in order to earn the maximum amount of cash back. You can boost your credit score and earn some cashback rewards at the same time.
However, be careful not to run up a large balance on this card. If you don’t pay your balance off every month, you’ll be charged interest fees. Those costs can easily eat into your cashback rewards.
Maximizing your redemptions
Since this is a simple cashback card, there’s not much you can do in terms of getting 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 from Capital One FAQs
Do I have to be a student to qualify for the Capital One Journey Student Rewards Card?
Though most student credit cards require you to be enrolled in school, this isn’t one of them. You do, 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 may serve your needs better. For example, you might prefer to build your credit with a secured credit card.
Do I need a job to be eligible for the Journey Student Rewards Card?
You do need to have a source of income to be eligible for this card. Capital One asks that your monthly income exceeds your monthly rent or mortgage payment by at least $425 in order to be eligible.
However, you can count additional sources of income besides what you earn from a job. For example, you can include money you receive from public assistance or shared income that someone regularly deposits into an account for you to use.
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 need, except that you need 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, 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.
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.
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