Key findings
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The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offer many of the same benefits, but choosing the best card for you depends on what you qualify for.
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The Quicksilver card comes out on top because it offers a welcome bonus and a generous introductory annual interest rate on purchases and balance transfers—but good to excellent credit is required to be approved for the card.
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If you’re looking to rebuild your credit, check out the QuicksilverOne card, which offers easier approval and cash back on everyday spending while improving your credit score.
With similar names and the same rewards rate, you may initially wonder what the difference is between the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. In short, the Quicksilver is generally the better card overall, but the QuicksilverOne is easier to qualify for.
If you’re considering one or both of these cards based on your assessment of what you may qualify for, read on to learn how they compare.
Important details
| Features | Capital One Quicksilver | Capital One QuicksilverOne |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | One-time $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months of opening your account | None |
| Premium rate |
|
|
| Required credit | Good to excellent | Average to good |
| Introduction of APR |
|
|
| Annual fee | $0 | $39 |
Capital One QuicksilverOne vs. Quicksilver Highlights
These Capital One credit cards are very similar, but you’ll notice a few areas where the Quicksilver stands out. Here’s a breakdown of key categories to compare and which card comes out on top in each category.
Welcome Bonus Winners
Why it wins
With Quicksilver, you’ll receive a one-time $200 welcome bonus when you spend $500 on your card within three months of account opening, which works out to just $167 per month for three months in a row. QuicksilverOne doesn’t offer an initial welcome bonus.
Winner of the premium rate
Why they won
Both cash-back credit cards give you a flat 1.5 percent back on every dollar you spend. That rate is better than many cash-back credit cards that give just 1 percent back on regular purchases. Additionally, each card offers 5 percent cash back on hotel and car rental bookings through Capital One Travel.
Why it won
One of the biggest benefits of Capital One Quicksilver is its introductory APR offer. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 19.99% to 29.99%. This benefit can help you finance a large purchase and pay it off over time with no interest. It can also come in handy if you need to carry a balance in case of an emergency.
QuicksilverOne does not offer an introductory APR offer. Instead, you will enjoy a variable APR of 29.99 percent on all balances.
Why it won
Another reason to love Quicksilver is that it doesn’t charge an annual fee, which makes its 1.5 percent rewards rate even better. QuicksilverOne, on the other hand, charges a $39 annual fee that isn’t waived in the first year.
Foreign transaction fee winner
Why they won
None of these credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee when you make purchases outside the U.S. In fact, all Capital One credit cards issued in the U.S. have no foreign transaction fees.
Which card brings the most?
Both cards offer unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase. However, the Quicksilver has the edge because it charges no annual fee and offers a welcome bonus.
Capital One QuicksilverOne vs. Quicksilver Spending Example
Let’s say you spend $2,000 a month — or $24,000 a year — on your credit card to pay for groceries, gas, utility bills, and other expenses. In that case, you could earn $360 in cash-back rewards annually with each of the two cards. But with the Quicksilver, you could also earn a $200 cash bonus if you spend $500 within 3 months of account opening, bringing your total rewards haul to $560 in the first year, with no annual fee.
With QuicksilverOne, you’ll have to subtract the $39 annual fee from your $360 in rewards, so you’ll save $321 in total. And remember, this card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus.
If you spend just $1,000 a month — or $12,000 a year — on your credit card, your final total rewards yield will be $180 with the Quicksilver (or $380 if you get the welcome bonus the first year) and $141 with the QuicksilverOne when you subtract the annual fee. So even though both cards earn the same amount of rewards, the QuicksilverOne’s annual fee will always result in you earning a little less each year.
Why should you get the Capital One Quicksilver?
The Quicksilver is the better option if you have good or excellent credit. Here are some additional factors that make the Capital One Quicksilver worthwhile:
Redemption options
You can redeem your rewards for a check in the mail, a credit to your account, or gift cards. You can also redeem points for recent purchases or for purchases on Amazon.com.
Recommended credit score
To qualify for this rewards credit card, you typically need good to excellent credit, meaning you’ll likely need a FICO score between 670 and 850 to get approved.
Additional benefits
As a cardholder, you’ll enjoy extended warranties on eligible items, travel accident insurance, 24-hour travel assistance services and more. You’ll also have access to special dining and entertainment experiences through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment.
Why should you get the Capital One QuicksilverOne?
The QuicksilverOne may be a better option if you have average credit but want to earn rewards on your purchases. Here are some other benefits the card brings.
Redemption options
This card offers the same basic redemption options as the Capital One Quicksilver, including cash back, account credits, and gift cards.
Recommended credit score
Fair to good credit is required to be approved for this card, which means you’ll likely need a FICO score of 580 to 740 to qualify.
Additional benefits
Capital One QuicksilverOne automatically offers the option of a credit line increase after six months of on-time payments. This is a great perk if your credit score isn’t where you want it to be. After all, increasing your credit limit can improve your credit score. Plus, Capital One reports your card usage to all three credit bureaus, giving you the best chance of improving your credit score quickly.
The conclusion
Although both of these rewards credit cards offer unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on every purchase, the Capital One Quicksilver is the clear winner for those who can qualify. Not only does this card offer a sign-up bonus and no annual fee, but you can also get an introductory APR offer on balance transfers and purchases, which can help you save on interest.
Still, you may benefit from signing up for the Capital One QuicksilverOne if your credit score needs improving. If you use this card responsibly and improve your credit score over time, you should be able to apply for another credit card with more rewards and better perks – or even upgrade your credit card to the Quicksilver.
