Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
vs. Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Shield Insurance

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Compare these two big credit cards' features, fees, rewards, and expenses to see which one is best for your needs.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card provides 3% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, in addition to 1% cash back for all other transactions.

While every purchase you make with your Chase Freedom® Student credit card earns you 1% cash back, it's a Visa card with no yearly cost and a simple one-time offer that's worth considering.

Comparison Overview: Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card vs. Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
    Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
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  • Travel Rewards
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Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card At a Glance

If you're a college student looking to earn rewards without having to bother with activating or tracking specific spending categories, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card card is for you. Every purchase you make earns 1% cash back. Rewards never expire, and there is no minimum amount to redeem for a cash back bonus.


  • Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

    A solid card with rewards students are sure to appreciate


    • 1-5% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 19.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    Pros

    • Small, but attainable welcome offer
    • Simple rewards structure with no cap
    • Anniversary bonuses for good standing
    • No annual fee

    Cons

    • Low rewards rate
    • No intro APR
    • Rewards

      • Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.
      • Get 5% cash back on Lyft rides until March 31, 2025.
    • Introductory Offers

      • Earn a $50 bonus after making your first purchase within the first three months.
    • Perks & Benefits

      • Receive a $20 Good Standing Reward after each account anniversary, up to 5 years.
      • Enjoy a complimentary three-month DashPass membership.
    • APRS, Fees, and Penalties

      • No annual fee.
    Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card At a Glance

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Cards is the best option for cardholders who prioritize dining and entertainment with no annual fee. You will receive 3% cash back at restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as 1% cash back at grocery shops and major streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. In addition, Vivid Seats customers may get 8% cash back on tickets until January 2023.


  • Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

    Great no-annual-fee student card with generous cash back rewards


    • 1% to 8% cash backRewards Rate
    • 19.99% to 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Limited–FairRecommended Credit

    Pros

    • No annual fee
    • Comes with a welcome bonus
    • Diverse bonus categories
    • No rewards limit
    • Includes security protections

    Cons

    • Potentially high APR
    • Bonus cash back doesn’t extend to superstores
    • Rewards

      • Earn 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
      • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
      • Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
      • Enjoy 8% cash back on entertainment purchases through the Capital One Entertainment portal.
    • Introductory Offers

      • Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
    • APRS, Fees, and Penalties

      • No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees.
    • Perks & Benefits

      • Benefit from $0 Fraud Liability for unauthorized charges.
      • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card.
      • Build your credit with responsible card use.
      • Suitable for students at a 4-year university, community college, or other higher education institution.
    Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Comparison Summary

Using MoneyGeek's breakdown of the differences between the Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can evaluate which is the ideal student credit card for your situation.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary

Foreign Transaction Fee

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a smart choice for international transactions since it doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card has a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Winner: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Bonus

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students doesn’t have a welcome bonus. In comparison, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card gives a $50 incentive after your first purchase within three months.

Winner: Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Rewards

With the no-annual-fee Capital SavorOne Rewards for Students credit card, you will receive unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores, plus 1% on all other purchases.

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card offers simple incentives for students. You get 1% cash back on all transactions and a $50 incentive on your first purchase within three months. There's also no minimum expenditure or yearly charge. Also, keep your account active, and you'll get a $20 bonus on your first five account anniversaries.

Winner: Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Annual Fee

You will not be charged an annual fee from either card.

Winner: Tie

Which Card Should You Get?

​It's critical to analyze your status and needs while deciding between the Chase Freedom® Student credit card and Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card?

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card has several key advantages, like unlimited rewards and no annual fees. Because of its unlimited cash back advantages, the card could be beneficial for your daily purchases.

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    Every purchase you make with your Chase Freedom® Student credit card earns you 1% cash back. Spending and bonus categories aren't necessary; use your card and automatically get cash back rewards.

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    To qualify for a bonus on a credit card, most demand a considerable amount of spending. Within three months of opening an account, you'll get a $50 incentive if you make your first purchase.

Who Should Consider the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card may be a solid choice for students, especially if these benefits and features appeal to you:

    noForeignTransactionFee icon

    Consumers who want to make purchases outside the United States since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

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    Each purchase made with this card gives you a 1% cash back minimum. Additionally, you'll get 3% cash back on specific categories and purchases.

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EXPERT OPINION

If you plan to hold this card for several years and spend regularly on the card, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card will likely net a higher cash back return. If you only want to have the card for a short time to possibly upgrade to a different credit card, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card may be a better choice because of the $50 welcome bonus.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

Selecting a student credit card might be challenging. MoneyGeek addresses some commonly asked questions to assist you in better understanding the Chase Freedom® Student credit card and Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Is the Chase Freedom® Student credit card better than the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

Can you get the Chase Freedom® Student credit card if you have the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

Can you transfer points from Chase Freedom® Student credit card to Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

Can you switch from Chase Freedom® Student credit card to Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

What’s harder to get, Chase Freedom® Student credit card or Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

How much do you have to spend for Chase Freedom® Student credit card vs Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card to get the welcome bonus?

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

The Chase Freedom® Student credit card and the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card are both excellent student credit cards. However, if you're seeking more ways to earn benefits, try obtaining other student rewards credit cards.

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.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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