Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
vs. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Updated: June 25, 2024

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Both the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card entice with cash back rewards, but they cater to different credit ranges. If you have good to excellent credit, the Blue Cash Preferred stands out with its high cash back rates on supermarket and streaming purchases.

But the Capital One QuicksilverOne is still solid, especially if you have fair to good credit, offering the simplicity of flat-rate cash back on all purchases and the potential for a higher credit line. While the Blue Cash Preferred may have an edge with its rewards, the QuicksilverOne's accessibility makes it a worthy contender.

Credit Card logo for Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
Credit Card logo for Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    19.24%–29.99% variable
    29.99% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% on purchases for 12 months
    -
    Intro Offer
    Earn $250
    No current offer
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1-6% cash back
    1.5% on everyday purchases and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% on balance transfers for 12 months
    -
    Balance Transfer Fee
    Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
    4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you.
    Annual Fee
    $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
    $39
    Recommended Credit
    670–850 (Good to Excellent)
    580-740 (Fair to Good)
    Penalty APR
    29.99% variable
    -
    Not sure?

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Blue Cash Preferred if you're a frequent shopper at U.S. supermarkets and streaming services. The card's high cash back rates in these categories can significantly offset the annual fee after the first year. Plus, the introductory APR offers and additional benefits like the Disney Bundle Credit can be valuable if you can take full advantage of them.

You might prefer the QuicksilverOne if you value simplicity and a consistent rewards rate across all purchases. With a lower annual fee and the potential for a higher credit line after six months, this card is solid if you have fair to good credit and want to earn cash back without tracking spending categories.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you spend heavily on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred may offer more value despite its annual fee, while the QuicksilverOne could be a better fit if you have a lower credit score and seek flat-rate cash back.

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    Regular APR: Blue Cash Preferred

    The Blue Cash Preferred is better for regular APR, offering a range from 19.24% to 29.99% variable. By contrast, the QuicksilverOne has an APR of 29.99%.

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    Annual Fee: Blue Cash Preferred

    For the first year, the Blue Cash Preferred offers a better deal with a $0 introductory annual fee, compared with the QuicksilverOne’s consistent $39 annual fee. However, the Blue Cash Preferred Card's fee increases to $95 after the first year.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Blue Cash Preferred

    The Blue Cash Preferred is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. By contrast, the QuicksilverOne does not offer any introductory 0% APRs. The Blue Cash Preferred also has a lower balance transfer fee.

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    Rewards: Blue Cash Preferred

    The Blue Cash Preferred outperforms the QuicksilverOne in rewards. It offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit and 1% on other purchases. By contrast, the QuicksilverOne provides unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

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    Welcome Offers: Blue Cash Preferred

    The Blue Cash Preferred is better for welcome offers, providing a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months. The QuicksilverOne does not offer any welcome bonus.

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    Recommended Credit Score: QuicksilverOne

    The QuicksilverOne is better if you have a lower credit score, requiring 580 to 740 (fair to good). The Blue Cash Preferred recommends a range of 670 to 850 (good to excellent).

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    Penalties and Fees: QuicksilverOne

    The QuicksilverOne is better for penalties and fees, with no foreign transaction fees or penalty APR, compared with the Blue Cash Preferred's 2.7% foreign transaction fee and 29.99% variable penalty APR.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Blue Cash Preferred

    American Express leads with a higher issuer satisfaction rating of 5.0, compared with Capital One’s rating of 4.2.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The Blue Cash Preferred provides a $250 statement credit, $0 intro plan fees with Plan It and a $84 Disney Bundle Credit. The QuicksilverOne offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, potential credit line increases, complimentary Uber One membership, 5% back on travel booked through Capital One, free credit monitoring and contactless payments.

Rewards Comparison

The Blue Cash Preferred leads if you spend a lot on groceries and streaming services, with an impressive 6% cash back in these categories. It also offers a solid 3% back at gas stations and on transit, which can add up quickly for commuters.

On the other hand, the QuicksilverOne offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it a straightforward choice if you prefer simplicity over category bonuses. It does shine with 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, appealing to frequent travelers who book through this portal.

The table shows a visual comparison of the rewards programs offered by both cards.

Category
Blue Cash Preferred
QuicksilverOne

U.S. Supermarkets

6% for the first $6,000 annually/1% thereafter

1.5%

U.S. Streaming Subscriptions

6%

1.5%

U.S. Gas Stations

3%

1.5%

Transit

3%

1.5%

Hotels and Rental Cars Booked Through Issuer Portal

1%

5%/1.5% if not booked through portal

Redeeming Rewards

The Blue Cash Preferred allows you to apply rewards as a statement credit or use them directly at Amazon.com checkout, offering a straightforward way to reduce your balance or save on purchases. Notably, these rewards do not expire, ensuring you can use them at your convenience.

The QuicksilverOne also offers non-expiring rewards, with the added flexibility of redeeming cash back in any amount. This means you're not restricted by minimum redemption thresholds and can access your earned cash back whenever you need it.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Blue Cash Preferred and QuicksilverOne using a scoring system that reflects their performance in various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Blue Cash Preferred vs. QuicksilverOne

What are the annual fees for each card?
Do either of the cards offer introductory APR rates?
Which card offers better cash back rewards?
Can I earn a sign-up bonus with either card?
What is the recommended credit score for each card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.