Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $39
• APR: 29.49% variable
• Rewards: 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase
• Bonus: No welcome bonus
• Best For: Building/rebuilding credit, fair credit holders, simple cash back
• Credit Needed: Fair to Good (630-689)

Overview

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed specifically for individuals with fair credit (scores typically 630-689) who want to earn cash back rewards while building or rebuilding their credit history. Despite the modest $39 annual fee, this card offers the same unlimited 1.5% cash back earning structure as its premium sibling, the Capital One Quicksilver.

What makes QuicksilverOne valuable is its accessibility. Traditional rewards cards often require excellent credit, but QuicksilverOne opens the door to cash back rewards for those working to improve their credit scores. The straightforward rewards structure—1.5% cash back on every purchase with no categories to track—makes it easy for anyone to earn consistent returns.

Capital One is known for being generous with credit line increases for responsible cardholders. Many QuicksilverOne users report automatic credit line increases within 6-12 months of on-time payments, and some may even receive offers to upgrade to the premium Quicksilver card (no annual fee) after demonstrating responsible usage. This makes QuicksilverOne not just a rewards card, but a strategic tool for credit building.

While there's no welcome bonus and the APR is higher than prime rate cards, the value proposition is clear: access to competitive cash back rewards (1.5% is strong even among no-fee cards) while actively improving your credit profile.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 29.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 29.49% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.49% variable
• Penalty APR: None specified

Important: The APR is significantly higher than cards requiring excellent credit. It's crucial to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that would negate any rewards earned. This card is best used as a credit-building tool, not for carrying balances.

Benefits Overview

Everyday Benefits

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no caps or limits
• Fraud coverage with zero liability protection
• Free Credit Score Access via Capital One CreditWise with monitoring tools
• Credit line increase opportunities for responsible usage (often within 6-12 months)
• Cash back rewards never expire for the life of your account
• Multiple flexible redemption options
• No foreign transaction fees when making purchases outside the U.S.

Credit Building Benefits

• Reports to all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
• Potential upgrade path to premium Quicksilver (no annual fee) after demonstrating responsibility
• Automatic reviews for credit line increases with positive payment history
• CreditWise tools help monitor credit score and track progress toward goals

Lifestyle Benefits

• 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
• 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—the same earning rate as many premium no-fee cards.

Welcome Bonus

Currently no welcome bonus offered for new QuicksilverOne accounts.

Note: While this card doesn't offer a sign-up bonus, the primary value comes from credit building opportunities, accessible cash back rewards for fair credit profiles, and potential credit line increases or upgrade offers after demonstrating responsible usage.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $39
• 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

• Fair credit holders (scores 630-689) who want to earn rewards while building credit
• Credit rebuilders working to improve their credit scores
• Those denied for premium cards but still want competitive cash back rewards
• Simple rewards seekers who want consistent 1.5% cash back
• International travelers with fair credit needing no foreign transaction fees
• Those committed to responsible usage seeking credit line increase opportunities
• People seeking an upgrade path to premium no-fee cards in the future

Not Good For

• Those with excellent credit (should apply for no-fee Quicksilver instead)
• Balance carriers (29.49% APR makes carrying debt extremely expensive)
• Those seeking welcome bonuses (no current sign-up offer)
• Category optimizers wanting elevated rewards in specific spending areas
• Those unable to pay $39 annual fee (secured cards may be better starting point)
• People seeking premium travel benefits or perks

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Accessible for fair credit scores (630-689), opening rewards to more consumers
• Competitive 1.5% cash back matches many premium no-fee cards
• No rotating categories or activation requirements—just simple, automatic earning
• Rewards never expire for the life of your account
• No foreign transaction fees for international purchases
• Free credit score monitoring and CreditWise tools
• Reports to all three major credit bureaus for credit building
• Potential credit line increases within 6-12 months of responsible use
• Possible upgrade offers to premium Quicksilver (no annual fee) after building credit
• Multiple flexible redemption options including direct deposit
• No authorized user fees
• Extended warranty protection on purchases

Cons

• $39 annual fee reduces net rewards value (need to spend $2,600 annually to break even vs. non-rewards card)
• No welcome bonus offer
• High 29.49% APR makes carrying balances extremely expensive
• Requires fair to good credit (630-689)—not for those building from scratch
• Lower earning rate (1.5%) compared to category-specific cards
• No introductory 0% APR offer
• No premium travel benefits or purchase protections
• Limited credit line initially (typically $300-$1,000 to start)
• Not ideal for those who qualify for better cards with no annual fee

Alternatives to Consider

Card	Best For	Annual Fee	Rewards	Credit Needed
Capital One Quicksilver	Same rewards, no fee	$0	1.5% unlimited + $300 bonus	Excellent (700+)
Capital One Platinum	No fee credit building	$0	No rewards	Fair to Good
Discover it® Secured	Secured card with rewards	$0	2% rotating + 1%	Building credit
Capital One Quicksilver Secured	Secured with 1.5% back	$0	1.5% unlimited	Building credit

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $15,000 per year on typical expenses:

Category	Annual Spend	Reward Rate	Earned Value
All purchases	$15,000	1.5%	$225
Less annual fee	—	—	-$39

Net Annual Value: $186

Break-Even Analysis:

• You need to spend $2,600 annually (about $217/month) just to offset the $39 annual fee
• Below $2,600 annual spend, a no-rewards card would be more cost-effective
• At $15,000 annual spend, you net $186 in value after the fee

Credit Building Value: The intangible value comes from building credit history, potential credit line increases (which improve credit utilization ratios), and possible upgrade offers to premium no-fee cards after 6-12 months of responsible use.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You have fair credit (630-689) and want to earn cash back rewards
• You've been denied for premium cards requiring excellent credit
• You're committed to paying your balance in full every month
• You want to build/rebuild credit while earning competitive rewards
• You spend at least $2,600 annually to justify the $39 fee
• You value simple, straightforward 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• You travel internationally and need no foreign transaction fees
• You're seeking a potential upgrade path to better cards in the future
• You'll use CreditWise tools to monitor and improve your credit score
• You can responsibly manage credit to qualify for line increases

You Should Skip It If...

• You have excellent credit (700+) and qualify for no-fee Quicksilver instead
• You tend to carry balances month-to-month (29.49% APR is prohibitively expensive)
• You spend less than $2,600 annually and won't break even on the $39 fee
• You need a secured card to build credit from scratch
• You're looking for welcome bonuses or intro 0% APR offers
• You want category-specific rewards with 3%+ earning potential
• You seek premium travel benefits or comprehensive purchase protections
• You can't commit to paying balances in full monthly

Maximizing Your Card & Building Credit

Tips to Get the Most Value:

1. Pay in full every month — The 29.49% APR will erase any rewards if you carry balances
2. Spend at least $2,600 annually to break even on the $39 annual fee
3. Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment to ensure on-time payments
4. Use for all everyday spending to earn consistent 1.5% on everything
5. Monitor your credit score using Capital One CreditWise to track improvement
6. Keep utilization below 30% (ideally below 10%) for optimal credit building
7. Request credit line increases after 6 months of on-time payments
8. Watch for upgrade offers to premium Quicksilver after building positive history

Credit Building Strategy:

• Use the card regularly for small recurring purchases (subscriptions, gas, groceries)
• Pay statement balance in full before due date every month
• Keep credit utilization low (under 30% of your credit limit)
• Never miss a payment—set up autopay for security
• Monitor CreditWise for credit score improvements
• After 6-12 months of perfect payment history, request a credit line increase
• Watch for Capital One upgrade offers to premium cards

Path to Premium Cards:

1. Months 1-6: Establish perfect payment history, keep utilization low
2. Months 6-12: Request credit line increase, continue perfect payments
3. Month 12+: Watch for upgrade offers to Quicksilver (no annual fee)
4. Long-term: Use improved credit score to qualify for premium travel cards

Spending Strategy:

• QuicksilverOne for all purchases (1.5% cash back)
• Avoid balance transfers or cash advances (high fees and APR)
• Use abroad (no foreign transaction fees)
• Redeem rewards regularly to see tangible benefits

Apply Now

Apply for Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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