Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 0% intro for 15 months, then 18.74%–28.74% variable
• Rewards: 1.5% unlimited cash back, 5% on hotels/rentals through Capital One Travel
• Bonus: $300 welcome bonus ($100 Capital One Travel credit + $200 after $500 spend in 3 months)
• Best For: Simple cash back, consistent rewards, everyday spending, balance transfers
• Credit Needed: Excellent (700+)

Overview

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a straightforward unlimited cash back card with no annual fee that combines simplicity with strong value. Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no rotating categories, no spending caps, and no activation requirements. It's the perfect card for those who want consistent rewards without complexity.

What elevates Quicksilver above basic cash back cards is its combination of features: a generous $300 welcome bonus package, an extended 0% intro APR period for 15 months, enhanced 5% earning through Capital One Travel, and no foreign transaction fees. This makes it versatile for everyday spending, large purchases during the intro period, balance transfers, and international travel.

The welcome offer is particularly attractive—$200 cash bonus after just $500 in spending within three months, plus a one-time $100 Capital One Travel credit for eligible primary account holders. Combined with the 15-month interest-free financing period, this card delivers exceptional first-year value while maintaining strong ongoing benefits with no annual fee.

For those seeking simplicity, Quicksilver eliminates the guesswork: every purchase earns 1.5% cash back, rewards never expire, and redemption is flexible with multiple options including statement credits, direct deposit, Amazon purchases, and gift cards.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months, then 18.74%–28.74% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months, then 18.74%–28.74% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None specified

Note: Extended 15-month intro period applies to both purchases and balance transfers. Balance transfer fee applies (typically 3% or $5, whichever is greater). This makes the card excellent for large purchases or consolidating existing debt while still earning 1.5% cash back.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• No foreign transaction fees when making purchases outside the U.S.
• One-time $100 Capital One Travel credit for eligible primary account holders
• 24-hour travel assistance services for emergencies
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary coverage)

Everyday Benefits

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no caps or limits
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• Fraud coverage with zero liability protection
• Free Credit Score Access via Capital One CreditWise
• Cash back rewards never expire for the life of your account
• Multiple flexible redemption options

Lifestyle Benefits

• 5% cash back on purchases at Capital One Entertainment
• Redeem rewards for statement credits, direct deposit, Amazon purchases, gift cards, or travel
• Simple rewards structure with no categories to track or activate
• Mobile app with account management and spending insights
• Extended warranty protection adds one year to manufacturer's warranty

Rewards & Cash Back

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day with no caps or limits
• 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5% cash back on purchases at Capital One Entertainment
• No minimum redemption threshold for cash back
• Rewards never expire for the life of your account
• Redemption options: Statement credits, direct deposit to eligible bank accounts, Amazon purchases, gift cards, and travel bookings

Simple and straightforward: no rotating categories, no activation required, no spending caps to worry about. Just automatic 1.5% cash back on everything you buy.

Welcome Bonus

Earn a $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Plus: Eligible Quicksilver primary account holders receive a one-time $100 Capital One Travel credit to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel.

Total Welcome Value: $300 — an excellent return on just $500 in spending (equivalent to 60% cash back on your first $500).

The low spending requirement makes this welcome bonus accessible for virtually all cardholders, requiring only about $167 in monthly spending over three months.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Authorized User Fee: $0

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Simple rewards seekers who want consistent cash back without category tracking
• Balance transfer candidates needing 15 months of 0% APR to pay down debt
• Large purchase planners who can benefit from 15 months of interest-free financing
• Frequent travelers who value no foreign transaction fees
• Everyday spenders looking for steady 1.5% returns on all purchases
• Capital One ecosystem users who can maximize 5% rewards through Capital One Travel
• First-time rewards card holders wanting an easy-to-use cash back card
• International travelers needing a no-fee card abroad

Not Good For

• Category optimizers seeking 3%+ cash back in specific spending areas
• Those with fair/average credit (requires excellent credit for approval)
• Premium benefits seekers looking for travel insurance or luxury perks
• Those who prefer travel points over simple cash back
• Heavy dining/grocery spenders who would benefit more from category-specific cards
• Those unable to meet even the modest $500 spending requirement

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee makes it accessible for long-term everyday use
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back with no rotating categories or activation
• Generous $300 welcome bonus package ($200 cash + $100 travel credit)
• Extended 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• Enhanced 5% rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel
• No foreign transaction fees for international purchases
• Rewards never expire for the life of your account
• Simple, straightforward rewards structure anyone can understand
• Multiple flexible redemption options including direct deposit
• Free credit score monitoring via Capital One CreditWise
• Extended warranty protection on eligible purchases
• No authorized user fees

Cons

• Requires excellent credit (700+) for approval, limiting accessibility
• Lower base earn rate (1.5%) compared to some category-specific cards
• 5% travel rewards only apply when booking through Capital One Travel portal
• Balance transfer fee applies (3% or $5, whichever is greater)
• Limited premium benefits like comprehensive travel insurance or purchase protection
• Variable APR can be high (up to 28.74%) after intro period if carrying balances
• Some competing cards offer 2% flat-rate cash back
• Portal booking may not always offer best prices versus booking direct

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $20,000 per year on typical expenses:

First Year Total Value: $652.50
Ongoing Annual Value: $352.50

Factor in the no annual fee and the 15-month interest-free period (potentially saving hundreds in interest if used for balance transfers or large purchases), and this card delivers exceptional value without any ongoing costs.

Balance Transfer Example: Transfer $5,000 in credit card debt at 20% APR. With 15 months at 0%, you save approximately $750 in interest charges while paying down the balance (assuming 3% transfer fee of $150, net savings of $600).

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You want simple, consistent cash back without tracking categories
• You have excellent credit (700+) and qualify for premium rewards cards
• You need 0% APR for 15 months for large purchases or balance transfers
• You travel internationally and need a card with no foreign transaction fees
• You value straightforward rewards that are easy to understand and redeem
• You spend regularly and want steady 1.5% returns on everything
• You can hit the $500 minimum spend to earn the welcome bonus
• You prefer cash back over travel points or miles
• You want a no-fee card to keep long-term in your wallet
• You occasionally book travel and can use Capital One Travel for 5% back

You Should Skip It If...

• You don't meet the excellent credit (700+) threshold for approval
• You're looking for category-specific cards with 3%+ rewards in key areas
• You want premium travel benefits like trip insurance or lounge access
• You prefer maximizing rewards by rotating between category cards
• You rarely travel and won't benefit from Capital One Travel rewards
• You're seeking the absolute highest flat-rate cash back (2% elsewhere)
• You're building credit and need a card for fair/average credit scores
• You can't meet the $500 spending requirement

Maximizing Your Rewards

Tips to Get the Most Value:

1. Use for all everyday spending to earn consistent 1.5% on everything
2. Book travel through Capital One Travel to earn 5% instead of 1.5%
3. Utilize the 0% intro APR for large purchases or balance transfers within first 15 months
4. Set up autopay to avoid late fees and maintain excellent credit
5. Monitor Capital One Entertainment for 5% opportunities on event tickets
6. Redeem strategically — statement credits and direct deposit offer full value
7. Pay in full monthly (after intro period) to avoid interest charges that negate rewards value
8. Use abroad for international purchases with zero foreign transaction fees
9. Claim the $100 travel credit early by booking through Capital One Travel
10. Add authorized users at no cost to earn 1.5% on their spending too

Spending Strategy:

• Quicksilver for all general purchases (1.5%)
• Pair with a category card (like SavorOne) for dining/groceries (3%)
• Book all travel through Capital One Travel portal (5%)
• Use exclusively abroad (no foreign fees)
• Use for balance transfers or large purchases during 0% period

Redemption Strategy:

• Redeem for statement credits or direct deposit for full 1.5% value
• Save rewards for larger redemptions if you prefer psychological boost
• Use for Amazon purchases at checkout for convenience
• Avoid redeeming for gift cards unless there's a promotional bonus

Apply Now

Apply for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.