Best Capital One Credit Cards of July 2024

What’s in your wallet? If you’re looking for a new credit card to add to the mix, Capital One offers a wide variety of options with a range of valuable rewards—and many are accessible to those who are still building their credit.

Here are our top picks for the best Capital One cards, no matter your needs as a cardholder.

TIME's Capital One card recommendations

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If the best thing a credit card can do for you is put money back in your pocket (without requiring an annual fee)—and you have the credit score to access it—card_name is an excellent choice. Along with a substantial 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make, you’ll also bonus_miles_full Plus, through November 14, 2024, enjoy six months of complimentary Uber One membership.

card_name also comes with automatic travel accident insurance on fares booked through the card, extended warranty protection, and complimentary concierge service. Rewards can be issued via statement credit, check, purchase coverage, or gift card—and they never expire through the lifetime of the account.

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For serious globe-trotters willing to pay a modest annual fee (which easily pays for itself in travel-related rewards), card_name may be attractive. The annual_fees annual fee is eclipsed by the $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck benefit alone, and cardholders also have an unlimited capacity to earn two miles per dollar on every purchase they make, every day. (That figure goes up to five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.)

Right now, this card's bonus will bonus_miles_full. Looking to skip the annual fee? Try Capital One’s VentureOne Rewards line, which has cards for applicants at both the good and excellent credit levels.

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card_name

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But so long as you pay your balance in full and on time every single month, a cash-back credit card with no annual fee is close. card_name costs nothing, but cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, groceries, and streaming services—and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Bonus: For a limited time, through November 14, 2024, card_name holders with good credit will earn a staggering 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, along with having their Uber One monthly membership fee covered by the card. A higher-tier SavorOne card with even more valuable rewards is available for applicants with excellent credit.

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For those with variegated credit histories, secured cards can help you rebuild your credit—and, in the case of card_name, also earn cash back in the process. Applicants can check if they’re pre-approved with no risk to their credit scores, and get started on their credit-building journey with a refundable $200 minimum deposit.

What’s more, Capital One offers automatic credit line reviews in as little as six months after you open your account. That means you’ll get a credit line upgrade as soon as you’re eligible—without an additional deposit. Like other Capital One cards, the card_name card carries foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fees, and you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges in the event your card is lost or stolen.

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card_name

Another option for would-be cardholders looking to build (or rebuild) credit: card_name, which has one of the lowest credit thresholds the issuer offers. Applicants can see if they’re pre-approved with no risk to their credit score, and the minimum security deposit is as low as $49 for those who are approved. While the card_name doesn’t come with cash-back rewards or other fun bonuses, it does offer a lifeline to those who need access to credit and the opportunity to build their credit histories—with Capital One’s added assurance of automatic credit line reviews, security measures, and lack of foreign transaction fees.

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College is a time for learning—and that includes learning about personal finances. Getting started with a card_name allows students to build healthy credit habits alongside their credit histories. Even better, unlike many other student-oriented cards it offers a one-time cash bonus to new cardmembers along with ongoing cash-back rewards.

Eligibility is limited to those actively enrolled in a four-year institution, community college, or another higher education institution. The card also carries a suite of grown-up benefits including complimentary concierge service, travel assistance services, travel accident insurance, and more.

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card_name

A well-wrought business credit card can turn your expenses into earning opportunities—especially if you qualify for card_name. Cardholders earn an unlimited 2% back on everyday purchases as well as a bonus_miles_full. If your work tends to take you places, you’ll also enjoy the higher reward rate of 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal.

Capital One’s business cards are pay-in-full charge cards, whose balances must always be paid off in full on a monthly basis. While a annual_fees annual fee applies, you have the opportunity to have it refunded each year you spend $150,000 or more.

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If luxury translates, for you, to globe-trotting in style, may be headed your direction. Built for those with excellent credit, the card carries a steep annual fee of , but offers frequent flyers enough perks to easily pay for itself if they take advantage of them. (For instance, you’ll get a $300 annual travel credit to be used in Capital One’s Travel portal, and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck—and that’s before you add in miles earned or your 10,000 mile yearly anniversary bonus.)

cardholders earn two miles for every dollar they spend on everyday purchases, as well as five miles for every dollar spent on flights booked through the company’s travel portal—and 10 miles for hotels and rental cars booked the same way. Additionally, Venture X holders (and up to two of their guests) get Capital One airport lounge access, and exclusive access to world-class dining reservations and entertainment options curated by Capital One. Miles don’t expire and there are no blackout dates. Of course, only those with the best credit scores will qualify.

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card_name

For applicants with fair credit who are looking for an unsecured credit card, card_name could be the answer. Although it doesn’t offer much in the way of ongoing rewards or bonuses, it’s an accessible credit product for those looking to work on their credit and build over time—and it comes with a helpful suite of security and convenience features, including a subscription to Capital One CreditWise, which can help you monitor your journey.

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Amazon sells everything—so the best card you can use to shop on it is one that gets you rewards for everything. We’ve already mentioned card_name for excellent credit above, but the issuer offers a similar product for those with good credit. Just like the excellent credit version, good-credit card_name cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases and are also eligible for the limited-time bonus of six months of complimentary Uber One membership. They will not, however, get a one-time new cardmember cash bonus or promotional interest rate, and the ongoing interest rate is higher at reg_apr,reg_apr_type.

Still, this card is a valuable choice for those looking for cash-back rewards on anything and everything—and like other Capital One cards, comes with high-tech security features, helpful management options, and no foreign transaction fees.

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Best Capital One cards compared

Our Methodology

TIME analyzed over a dozen of the most popular Capital One credit cards on the market today, taking into account factors like annual fees, interest rates, and bonus offers, as well as included perks such as cash-back rewards and miles. We also took into account cardholder benefits such as automatically included travel insurance on fares booked with the card and complimentary concierge service. We then chose the 10 best cards for prospective card-holders with a variety of goals and financial choices, from travelers to businesses and people hoping to rebuild their credit.

How to choose the right Capital One credit card for you

With so many options to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to choose from Capital One’s slate of available credit cards. In order to ascertain the best one for you, consider the following.

What do you spend most of your disposable income on?

If you’re a frequent traveler, travel-oriented cards like VentureOne and Venture X may appeal, since they may come with perks like earnable miles or travel insurance. If you stick closer to home, but enjoy dining out often, a card like SavorOne may make more sense, since you’ll earn more cash back on purchases relevant to you.

What’s your credit score?

Different cards are available to applicants with different credit scores. While some of Capital One’s most valuable rewards cards require good or excellent credit, it also offers regular and secured credit cards to those with fair and even poor credit history.

What kind of rewards do you want?

Even frequent travelers may prefer cash back to miles, depending on their preferences. Always read all the fine print before applying to understand exactly what you stand to receive as a cardholder.

Alternatives

While Capital One’s credit offerings run the gamut of rewards options and accessibility, there are also some worthy alternatives to consider from other issuers.

Best for travel: Discover It Miles

This no-annual-fee credit card offers a 1.5x mile earn on every purchase and a year-long bonus (Discover matches every mile you earn for your first year as a cardholder). Discover It Miles is a fine choice for travelers looking for basic perks and cheaper fares without big annual fees.

Best for luxury:

With an annual fee of , this Chase credit card isn’t for everyone. But for those willing to spend money to earn big rewards, the pays dividends: Along with a $300 annual travel credit (paid via statement reimbursement), airport lounge access, Global Entry/TSAPreCheck/NEXUS fee credits, and up to 10x points earnings on eligible dining and travel expenses, this card offers members a one-time 60,000 point bonus when they spend $4,000 in the first three months—which translates to $900 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Best for fair credit: Bank of America’s Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

It’s not often that a secured credit card offers any cash-back earning potential—let alone up to 3% in certain categories. But Bank of America’s Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card does just that, allowing holders to choose which category they’d like to earn the highest rewards for (category choices include gas and EV charging stations; online shopping including streaming services, dining, travel, and more). You’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, and the minimum security deposit is just $200.

Best for no annual fee: card_name

Earning cash back without paying an annual fee is just about the best way to use a rewards credit card to your advantage. The card_name offers up to 3% cash back on up to $6,000 worth of staple purchases like groceries and gas per year, and then 1% cash back on all other purchases (and purchases in these categories after the $6,000 threshold is met). This American Express credi card also comes with a range of featured benefits and bundles that can help you save money on streaming services, meal kits, and more.

More about Capital One credit cards

Here are more common questions about Capital One credit cards—and their answers.

Who should get a Capital One credit card?

Because Capital One offers such a wide range of credit cards, there are products available for many different people. Which card is right for you depends on factors including your credit score, what kinds of purchases you routinely make, and which types of rewards would best benefit your financial standing.

How to apply for a Capital One credit card

Capital One makes it easy to apply for its credit card products online. Simply navigate to the website for the credit card you’re interested in and click “Apply Now.” You’ll be walked through a short and simple application process and receive a decision within minutes. (Your card will be mailed within a few business days.)

Can you combine points on Capital One credit cards?

At the time of this writing, you can combine points on certain eligible Capital One credit card accounts.

TIME Stamp: Capital One offers a wide range of rewards

Whether you’re a jet-setter or the type to hole up at home and explore the culinary world through Uber Eats, Capital One likely offers a rewards credit card that makes sense for your needs. Even those with fair credi—or who are in the process of credit rebuilding—can find Capital One products designed with their needs in mind.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which Capital One credit card is easiest to get?

While all Capital One credit card applications are subject to approval, the company’s Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card carries one of the lowest credit thresholds of its lineup. According to Capital One, the card can be successfully applied for by those who are in the process of rebuilding their credit histories, and its minimum security deposits start as low as $49.

What is the top-tier Capital One credit card?

For serious travelers, Capital One’s Venture X Rewards Card offers a suite of valuable, luxury upgrades like complimentary airport lounge access, complimentary Priority Pass membership, cardholder benefits at Premier and Lifestyle Collections hotels such as room upgrades, and a $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit. Eligible cardholders will also earn a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, which helps ease the burden of the card’s $395 annual fee.

What credit limit can I get with a Capital One credit card?

Your individual credit limit is always predicated on a variety of your personal financial demographic factors, including your credit history, income, job security, current level of debt, and more. Your credit limit may be just $200 with a secured credit card, for example, or as high as $10,000 or more if you have excellent credit and apply for one of Capital One’s higher-end rewards cards.

How can I get a credit limit increase on a Capital One card?

If your financial standing has changed since you first took out your Capital One card, you may be eligible for a credit limit increase—which not only increases your spending power, but can also improve your credit score by increasing your available credit (so long as you don’t spend enough to increase your revolving debt). Capital One may offer you a credit limit increase automatically after months of favorable card behavior, but you can also request a credit limit increase by phone or online.

Does Capital One have a pre-approval process for its credit cards?

Capital One makes it easy to see if you’re pre-approved for many of its credit card products. Simply navigate to the credit card’s landing page and click “See if I’m Pre-Approved.” You can also apply directly from these pages. (Some cards may not allow you to see if you’re pre-approved before applying.)