Both the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards Credit Card offer unlimited cash back rewards on every purchase you make. But there are key differences, including the credit score required for approval, introductory APR offers, and intro bonus.
The Quicksilver is one of Capital One’s best credit cards that offers straightforward cash back rewards, a $200 welcome bonus, and interest-free introductory period for both new purchases and balance transfers. The QuicksilverOne doesn’t have quite as many benefits and also carries a $39 annual fee. But it’s a good alternative if you have less-than-perfect credit, and even is among our favorite cards for people with no credit, since no credit history is required.
Here’s what you need to know about these Capital One cash back options to choose the right one for your financial goals:
Side by Side Comparison
| Capital One Quicksilver | Capital One QuicksilverOne | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | No annual fee | $39 |
| Welcome Offer | Earn $200 after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening | None |
| Cash Back Rewards | • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase • Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms apply | • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase • Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms apply |
| Other Benefits | • 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months • Travel and purchase protections • No foreign transaction fees | • Pre-approval • Account review after six months of on-time payments for a credit line increase • No foreign transaction fees |
Welcome Bonus
The Capital One Quicksilver lets you earn $200 after spending $500 within the first three months of opening your account. On the other hand, Capital One QuicksilverOne doesn’t have any welcome offer.
If the required minimum is within your budget, the Quicksilver’s cash bonus can add a lot of first-year value. But a welcome bonus is a one-time offer — ongoing rewards and credit-building benefits may add more value long-term, depending on your goals.
Rewards and Benefits
Capital One’s Quicksilver and QuicksilverOne offer the same flat-rate cash back rewards: unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Your rewards don’t expire as long as your account is open, and you can redeem them for statement credits, gift cards, cash back, or through PayPal or Amazon.
While it’s not a travel card, you may get some added benefit from Capital One Quicksilver’s travel protections — including travel accident insurance, 24/7 assistance, and complimentary concierge services. It also comes with extended warranties and access to Capital One Shopping.
But if you have less-than-stellar credit, the QuicksilverOne is a good option to start building your credit score, even if you can’t qualify for the regular Quicksilver to start. After your score improves, you may be able to upgrade to the Quicksilver. And for added credit incentive, Capital One also automatically reviews your account after six months of on-time payments to determine if you are eligible for a credit line increase.
APRs
The Capital One Quicksilver has a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. There’s a regular variable APR of 15.24% – 25.24% after that. The Capital One QuicksilverOne charges a higher variable APR of 26.99% on purchases and balance transfers, and doesn’t have an interest-free introductory rate.
You can avoid paying high interest altogether by charging only what you can afford to pay in full and on time each month. A positive payment history is also essential for building good credit habits to keep a good credit score for a long time, so if you’re using the QuicksilverOne to build credit, it’s even more essential.
Fees
The Capital One Quicksilver doesn’t have an annual fee, but the QuicksilverOne comes with a $39 annual charge. If you choose to transfer a balance to take advantage of the Quicksilver’s introductory period, you’ll pay a 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
Neither card has foreign transaction fees — which is another benefit for frequent travelers. But you can expect up to a $40 late payment fee from both cards.
Deciding Between Capital One Quicksilver and Capital One QuicksilverOne
Editorial Independence
As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.
If you’re deciding between the Capital One Quicksilver and QuicksilverOne, choosing the right card largely boils down to your credit score.
If your credit makes you eligible for it, the Capital One Quicksilver is the better choice between the two. You’ll need a credit score of at least 670 for the best chances of approval, but qualifying for this card means you’ll get a $200 welcome bonus when you spend $500 within the first three months, 15 months of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (15.24%-25.24% variable APR thereafter) and a few added travel and purchase protections.
Pro Tip
You can use the Capital One Quicksilver as a balance transfer card to pay your credit card debt interest-free during the 15 month introductory period. After your balance is paid in full, you can still use the card to earn cash back rewards on your spending.
But if you have fair credit — meaning you haven’t had a chance to build credit yet, or you’ve made credit mistakes in the past — you’ll have a better chance of qualifying for the QuicksilverOne. Despite its $39 annual fee, the QuicksilverOne is one of our favorite cards for building credit, since you’ll still earn unlimited 1.5% cash back while you practice the good credit habits to build your score.
Ultimately, these cards — while similar — serve much different purposes. The Capital One Quicksilver is a solid flat cash back option, while the QuicksilverOne is a credit-building card with cash back perks. Both can add value to your wallet depending on your credit goals, but make sure you compare them to other cards you may qualify for — like other cash back credit cards, rewards credit cards, or cards for people with no credit — to find the best fit for you.
