3 Best Capital One Cards for Beginners (Dec. 2023)

Capital One is a leading credit card company with a wide range of cards, so determining the best Capital One card for a beginner largely depends on the individual’s unique circumstances.

Establishing a healthy credit history is one of the best first steps a young adult can take to building a secure financial future. Choosing the best card, however, is not always easy, especially when not all cards are created to be friendly to first-time cardholders.

We’ve broken down some of the top choices for beginners available from Capital One, along with advice for getting the best bang for your borrowed buck.

Marketed as a solution for students and young adults, this card not only provides a standard cash-back rate even for those with a limited credit reputation, but it also offers a small sign-up bonus.

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
• Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
• Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
• Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)	$0	Average, Fair, Limited

Over time, you may receive a higher credit limit, and there is never an annual fee for this card. Like most Capital One cards, it has fraud protection that covers unauthorized purchases and access to your credit score via the Capital One Credit Tracker service.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is ideal for consumers who want to build credit without paying a high annual fee.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

FAIR CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0

• No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
• Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
• Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
• Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
• Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	30.74% (Variable)	$0	Average, Fair, Limited

The flexible payment options allow you to access your account online, at a bank branch, or via the intuitive mobile smartphone app. Capital One’s signature Tracker service and fraud protection are standard for this card, as well.

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card lives up to its reputation as a seamless way to get rewarded for your purchases. This card also totes extra-special perks like an intro-APR deal and no annual fee.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0

• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% for 15 months	0% for 15 months	19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)	$0	Excellent, Good

You won’t have to remember to “sign up” for your reward categories, either; cardholders earn cash-back rewards on every purchase without special action required. Rewards never expire and can be redeemed for cash back at any time.

Getting your new card is just the beginning of a lifetime of new but exciting responsibility. We recommend that you always do the following when using your credit card:

1. Beware of interest rates. Pay special attention to purchase and balance transfer offers that may come your way when opening a card. While some offers may promise low or no interest, the fees for such transfers may be too high to justify the offer.
2. Pay off balances. Pay your card in full each month to avoid finance charges and possible late fees. If you do find yourself missing a payment, contact your creditor immediately to arrange for payment. Many cards will give you a day or two grace period before the default rate or late charges are incurred.
3. Don’t do the minimum. Always pay more than the minimum. If you are unable to pay in full, try to pay as much as you can. Interest accumulates quickly!

All of the Capital One starter credit cards featured in this list are easy to manage and make a great first step into the world of responsible consumer credit use.