Capital One Platinum vs. Quicksilver: Card comparison

Wondering about the Capital One Platinum credit card or the Quicksilver cash rewards credit card? They can both provide flexibility on everyday spending and a way to build credit when used responsibly, which means things like paying your statement on time every month. But they’re typically for people with different credit score ranges, and only one offers a way to earn rewards on every purchase. Read on to learn more.

Key takeaways

• The Capital One Platinum card is designed for those interested in building, rebuilding or establishing credit scores.
• The Quicksilver cash rewards credit card can earn rewards on everyday purchases for those with excellent credit.
• Capital One has a pre-approval tool, which can let you see which card offers you might be eligible for before you apply.

The Capital One Platinum card is a great place to start building or rebuilding your credit. Quicksilver lets you earn cash back and comes with multiple cardholder perks. Here’s a quick overview:

The Capital One Platinum Mastercard can help you build or rebuild credit. Designed for people with fair or average credit scores, it has many useful features, including:

• No annual fee. Every dollar counts when you’re establishing stronger credit. Unlike some other cards meant to help rebuild credit, the Platinum Mastercard has a $0 annual fee. 
• Potential credit limit increase. In as little as 6 months, you’ll automatically be considered for a credit limit increase. You can help improve your chances of approval by using your card responsibly.
• Potential to upgrade. You could be eligible to upgrade to a rewards card in 6 months.

View important rates and disclosures.

If you need to rebuild credit or haven’t established a credit history yet, a secured credit card can be a great solution. A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a security deposit to open the account.

The Capital One Platinum secured card has all the benefits of the Platinum card but requires a refundable deposit of $49, $99 or $200 to open an account with a credit line of up to $200. You can also raise your credit limit by depositing more than the minimum.

If you have excellent credit and are interested in earning rewards on every purchase, Capital One Quicksilver may be the card for you. You’ll not only earn unlimited cash back but enjoy other benefits, including:

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back. Everyday spending adds up. Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase when you use your Quicksilver card. There’s no limit to how much you can earn.
• No annual fee. Enjoy Quicksilver for a $0 annual fee.
• Rewards redemption. Whenever you’re ready to cash in your rewards, there are plenty of options. You can redeem them for a statement credit or check. You can use them to cover the cost of a recent purchase or get gift cards from retailers, restaurants, hotel chains and more. You can even use them to shop at Amazon.com. 
• No foreign transaction fees. You won’t pay any foreign transaction fees when you use your card outside of the United States. 
• Low introductory APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers and a 19.99%-29.99% variable APR after that.
• New card offer. Earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening the account.

View important rates and disclosures.

The Capital One Quicksilver card is part of a suite of cash back rewards cards for different needs and circumstances. Each offers 1.5% unlimited cash back and all the perks of a Quicksilver card. Annual fees, APR and new cardmember offers vary, though. If you’re unsure, you can use the Capital One pre-approval tool to find the best Quicksilver card for you.

• Quicksilver Rewards for Good Credit: If you have good but not excellent credit scores, the Quicksilver for Good Credit card could be a great option. The only difference is you won’t be eligible for new cardmember bonus cash or the 0% intro APR.
• QuicksilverOne: With a fair credit score, you could qualify for a QuicksilverOne card. You’ll earn 1.5% unlimited cash back with a $39 annual fee. With automatic credit line reviews, you’ll be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months.
• Quicksilver Secured: Also for those with fair credit, the Quicksilver Secured card requires a $200 minimal deposit that’s refundable and has a $0 annual fee. 
• Quicksilver Rewards for Students: If you’re a student, Quicksilver for Students offers 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats through November 2024, in addition to 1.5% cash back. Plus, you can earn a $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of opening your account. And there’s no annual fee. 

View important rates and disclosures.

Every Capital One credit card comes with access to free mobile apps and tools to help you monitor your accounts and track your finances 24/7, including: 

• CreditWise from Capital One: CreditWise offers an easy way to monitor your credit. You can access your TransUnion® credit report and VantageScore 3.0 credit score without hurting your score. And it’s free for everyone, not just Capital One cardholders. CreditWise also scans the dark web for your personal information, like Social Security numbers or compromised email addresses, and sends you an alert if anything is detected so you can take action to protect your identity. Plus, it gives you insights into ways to strengthen your finances, like paying down credit card balances and lowering your credit utilization ratio.
• Eno, your Capital One assistant: Eno monitors your account around the clock for things like duplicate charges or tips that are much higher than your usual amount. Eno will reach out if it spots something unusual and can help you fix it. 
• Capital One Mobile app: Access your accounts, pay your bills and view balances and transactions with the Capital One Mobile app.

Only you can really answer the question of which credit card is best for you. Everyone’s situation is different, and picking a credit card is a personal decision.

But if you’re comparing the Capital One Platinum Mastercard to the Capital One Quicksilver cash rewards card, you might consider the Capital One Platinum Mastercard if your focus is on building or rebuilding your credit. And you might consider the Capital One Quicksilver card if you’re a bit further along in your credit journey and interested in earning cash rewards.

Still weighing your options? Get pre-approved online today—with no harm to your credit score. Or you can compare all credit cards from Capital One.

If you’re wondering whether you’re better suited to a Capital One Platinum or Quicksilver credit card, the decision will likely come down to your credit history and financial goals. If you’re ready to apply, see if you’re pre-approved for card offers. It only takes a few moments, and it won’t hurt your credit scores.