Frequently Asked Questions — Credit Cards

No Hassle Cash Rewards Questions

• • 12.
  • How do I get my cash back?
• You can ask for your cash back anytime you want by going online or calling the Rewards Center toll free. You can even set a specific threshold for redemption in which you would automatically receive your cash back.
• • 13.
  • Is there a limit to the amount of cash back I can earn?
• There's no cap to the amount of cash back you can earn on purchases.
• • 14.
  • Will I have to shop at certain stores to earn my cash back?
• No! Shop anywhere your credit card is accepted. Your Capital One rewards credit card never limits you to a “select” vendor, like some other cards do.
• • 15.
  • How is my cash back reward calculated?
• You earn rewards for every qualified purchase you make.
• • 16.
  • Will my cash back ever expire?
• Your cash back is yours for the life of the account - it won't expire. But if your account is closed, you'll lose any cash you haven't redeemed.
• • 17.
  • Can I redeem for something other than cash?
• Yes. You can also redeem for gift cards or donate to charity.
• • 18.
  • Is it possible for me to lose my rewards?
• As long as your account is open, you will not lose your rewards. However, your account must be in good standing in order to redeem your rewards.
• • 19.
  • What are the eligibility requirements to redeem rewards?
• Your account must be open and in good standing to be eligible to redeem for rewards.
• • 20.
  • What does no limit on rewards mean?
• It means that there's no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn, and those rewards don't expire for the life of the account.
• • 21.
  • How long will it take to receive my reward?
• Account credits will be applied within five to seven business days of redemption. If a check or gift card is requested, it will be sent to the account holders' mailing address on file within 30 days of the redemption request.
• • 22.
  • Why should I shop through Perk Central^SM?
• Perk Central features special offers for Capital One Rewards customers from hundreds of your favorite retailers. Shop our Perk Central retail network and get up to 15% more cash back, in addition to what you already earn!

No Hassle Points Rewards Questions

• • 23.
  • What is the No Hassle Points^SM Program?
• The No Hassle Points program is a loyalty program for Capital One^® customers that gives you great rewards simply for doing what you do every day. By using your credit card, you'll earn No Hassle Points that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including gift cards from brand-name retailers and restaurants, electronics, travel, toys, games and much more.
• • 24.
  • How is the No Hassle Points program different from other rewards programs?
• With No Hassle Points, you're not limited to just one type of reward. You'll qualify for a variety of redemption options, which you can easily redeem online or by phone.
• • 25.
  • How do I earn points?
• Every time you make an eligible purchase using your credit card, you'll earn points for every dollar you spend.
• • 26.
  • Are there any limits to the points I can earn?
• No, there are no limits to the points you can earn.
• • 27.
  • Do No Hassle Points expire?
• No, your No Hassle Points don't expire for the life of the account. But if your account is closed, you'll lose any points you haven't redeemed.
• • 28.
  • What types of purchases qualify for points?
• Rewards will be earned on annual net purchases (not including purchase checks, purchase credits, travelers' check purchases, cash advances, access checks and cash equivalent transactions).
• • 29.
  • How can I redeem points?
• No Hassle Points program members can redeem their points easily and quickly. Once you have received your No Hassle Points card you can begin earning points. You can then log in to our Web site to redeem No Hassle Points at any time, view your No Hassle Points total, and check redemption options.
• • 30.
  • When can I start redeeming my points?
• Points are available for redemption once they post to your account.
• • 31.
  • What is the minimum amount of points required before I can redeem them?
• It depends on your program. Once you become a No Hassle Points member, please check our Web site to view the redemption options.
• • 32.
  • Can I redeem a portion of my No Hassle Points and keep adding to the remaining balance?
• Yes, you can redeem any or all of your available points whenever you'd like, provided your account is open and current.
• • 33.
  • How often can I redeem my points?
• You may redeem your points as often as you like as long as you have enough points to redeem for the desired item.
• • 34.
  • If I redeem all of my No Hassle Points and do not make a purchase for a while, am I still in the program?
• Yes, you can earn points for purchases you make as long as your account is open and current.
• • 35.
  • Do I pay anything when I place my redemption order?
• Standard shipping and handling is included in the point value of your redemption order. In some situations, you may pay for additional taxes on travel packages.
• • 36.
  • How are my redemption orders sent to me?
• Your order will be shipped to you directly by the U.S. Postal Service or UPS at your current street address or to a U.S. address you specify. Your order will arrive either as merchandise, a certificate, or gift card redeemable for the reward. With the exception of gift cards, delivery of redemption items may not be made outside the U.S. or to a post office box. Allow four to six weeks for delivery. Virtual redemption items do not involve delivery, are only accessible on the Internet, and may be subject to further terms and conditions.

General Credit Card Questions

Applying for a Credit Card

• • 37.
  • What information does Capital One require when I apply for a credit card?

• You'll need to provide personal information, including your:

  • Full name
  • Social Security number
  • Date of birth
  • Physical address (No P.O. Box)
  • Estimated gross annual income
• • 38.
  • Why do you need my personal information for my credit card application?
• We need your personal information for two reasons:

  1. Federal law requires us to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. As a result, your personal information is required and used for identification purposes.

  2. We use your personal information, like Social Security number, to pull your credit bureau data, which in turn is used with other information like annual income in processing your application.
• • 39.
  • Why can't I use a P.O. Box as an address on my credit card application?
• We need a physical address in order to process your application. However, if your application is approved, you can change your mailing address to a P.O. Box.
• • 40.
  • Do I need to complete all the information on my credit card application?
• We will try to process your application without all of the requested information, but you may experience delays or even be adversely affected by the omission of information.
• • 41.
  • Can I apply over the phone for a credit card?
• Some offers are available for application by phone at 1-866-627-9996. However, if you are under 21, please apply online or by mail.
• • 42.
  • Can I apply for a credit card with a co-applicant?
• No, we do not offer the option for co-applicants at this time, but you may add an authorized user after your account is opened.
• • 43.
  • Will I get an instant decision when I apply online for a credit card?
• Capital One will attempt to provide a decision in 60 seconds or less. However, in some cases we need to collect additional information to make a decision.
• • 44.
  • I received a session expired message. What does this mean?
• This means there has been no activity in your application page for 20 minutes, and, for security reasons, your application session will terminate. If you receive the session expired message, please start another application.
• • 45.
  • Do you share the contact information on my credit card application with other companies?
• Capital One takes our commitment to protecting your privacy seriously. Please see our Customer Privacy and Opt Out Notice for more information.

Transferring Balances

• • 46.
  • How do I transfer a balance?
• You can request a balance transfer after you've been approved and have received your card. You can then call our customer service department or log in to your account.
• • 47.
  • What types of balances can I transfer?
• You can transfer balances from other credit cards, personal loans, student loans and auto loans. You will not be able to transfer a balance from another account issued or acquired by Capital One or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries.
• • 48.
  • What information will I need to transfer a balance?
• You will need the name of the other creditor, account number and amount you want to transfer.
• • 49.
  • How long does it take for a transferred balance to post to the account I have with the other creditor?
• If your balance transfer request is approved, payment will be sent to your creditors within 10 business days. Please allow 10 days for mailing time. Continue to make payments to creditors until you confirm that they have received the transferred payment.
• • 50.
  • Will my transferred account close automatically?
• Your other account will not close automatically, even if it is paid in full. You will need to call your other creditor to request that they close your account.

After Applying

• • 51.
  • How can I find out the status of my credit card application?
• If you apply by phone or Internet, you will often get a response in 60 seconds. However, in some cases we need to collect additional information to make a decision.
  
  You can check the status of your application anytime by calling 1-800-625-7866. We will notify you in writing of our decision within 7-10 days of your application.
• • 52.
  • When will I receive my new credit card?
• If you're approved, you'll receive your Capital One card, credit limit information and welcome materials by mail within 7-10 business days.
• • 53.
  • What will my credit limit be?
• Upon approval, we will further evaluate your application and determine what your credit limit is. We'll send written notification of your credit limit amount within 7-10 business days from the day you apply.
• • 54.
  • How can I report a lost or stolen credit card?
• Report a lost or stolen card by calling 1-800-955-7070.
• • 55.
  • What will my rate be?
• Please see the Rates & Disclosures page for term information. If the card you've applied for has a range of rates listed, you'll receive the lowest rate for which you qualify based on your creditworthiness.
• • 56.
  • When will I find out my rate?
• If you are approved, your rate will be provided to you in writing within 7-10 days.
• • 57.
  • Can I add someone to my credit card account?
• Yes. Simply call the number on the back of your card. Please note that to add an authorized user to your account, you must be the primary cardholder, secondary cardholder, authorized signatory/company officer or additional business owner.
• • 58.
  • Can I manage my credit card account online?

• Yes. You will be able to enroll in our Online Banking service to do all of the following and more:
  

  • Pay your credit card bill
  • Stop paper clutter by enrolling in online statements
  • Link multiple Capital One credit cards
  • Redeem your rewards
  • View recent transactions
  • Check your balance
  • Send a secure message
  • Dispute a charge

• • 59.
  • Will Capital One charge me a fee if I use my credit card overseas?
• Capital One does not charge a fee for using your credit card for foreign currency transactions. Foreign purchases will be converted at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the time of processing the charge.
• • 60.
  • Who do I contact about traveling out of the country?
• Before you travel, contact us at 1-800-955-7070. Please have the following information handy:
  
  
  • Credit card number
  • Travel destination
  • Travel start and end dates

  If you encounter any problems with your account while traveling within the United States, please call the phone number on the back of your card. If you encounter any problems with your account while traveling outside of the United States, please contact us at our international collect telephone number, 1-804-934-2001. Please note, be sure to follow the policies for outbound dialing in the country where you are traveling; you will need to place a collect call through an operator, and Capital One will accept the charges.

• • 61.
  • How do you Apply my Payments?
• We apply your minimum payment to lower rate balances before higher rate ones. We apply any portion of your payment in excess of your minimum payment to higher rate balances before lower rate ones. If your payment exceeds the minimum payment by an amount sufficient to pay a higher rate balance shown on your statement, you still may have a balance at that higher rate on your next statement as a result of transactions, interest or fees charged to your account before your payment was credited. For example, if your monthly statement shows a $1,000 balance for cash advances, sending in a check for $1,000 plus your minimum payment amount may not bring your cash advance balance to $0. This is because interest continues to accrue on the $1000 balance between the last day of the statement and the date we receive your payment, but the interest does not post to your account until the next statement.