PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
vs. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Updated: June 10, 2024

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Both the PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offer appealing cash back rewards and no annual fees. The Capital One Quicksilver edges ahead with its higher cash back rate on all purchases and a lower required spend for its welcome bonus. It requires a credit score range of 670 to 850 (good to excellent).

Still a strong contender, the PenFed Power Cash Rewards card has a higher rewards tier for qualified cardholders. It also requires a good to excellent credit score.

Credit Card logo for PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Credit Card logo for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    17.99% variable
    19.99% - 29.99% variable
    0% APR Offer
    -
    0% for 15 months on purchases
    Intro Offer
    Earn $100 Bonus Offer Statement Credit
    Earn $200 Cash Back
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1.5% – 2% cash back
    Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% Introductory Balance Transfer APR for 12 months
    0% for 15 months on balance transfers
    Balance Transfer Fee
    3% fee applies to each transaction
    3% for the first 15 months
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Recommended Credit
    670–850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Penalty APR
    17.99%
    -
    Not sure?

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the PenFed Power Cash Rewards if you are looking for a card with a potentially lower non-variable APR after the introductory period. It offers a lower welcome bonus and could be a good fit if you're already a PenFed member or are willing to become one. Consider this card if you're interested in straightforward cash back rewards without worrying about variable rates.

You might prefer the Quicksilver card if you value a higher cash back rate on all purchases and a generous welcome bonus with a lower spending threshold. Its 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months can be particularly appealing if you plan to make a large purchase or transfer balances from other cards.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card aligns with your financial needs. For example, the Quicksilver's longer 0% APR period may be advantageous if you plan to carry a balance. If you're a PenFed member, the Power Cash Rewards' higher cash back rate could yield more savings.

    discount icon

    Regular APR: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver card is more transparent about its regular APR — a range of 19.99% to 29.99% variable. The PenFed Power Cash Rewards does not provide specific APR information, making it challenging for potential cardholders to compare directly.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the PenFed Power Cash Rewards and the Quicksilver card offer the advantage of having no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to save on costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver card is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. The PenFed Power Cash Rewards does not offer a 0% APR on purchases and only provides a 0% introductory rate on balance transfers for 12 months.

    coins icon

    Rewards: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver card is slightly better for rewards, providing an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and an impressive 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, with no expiration on rewards as long as the account remains open.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers: Quicksilver

    The Quicksilver card is better for welcome offers, offering a $200 cash bonus after a $500 spend within three months. The PenFed Power Cash Rewards has no welcome offer.

    creditApproved icon

    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both cards require a credit score range of 670 to 850, which means they cater to individuals with good to excellent credit.

    autopay icon

    Penalties and Fees: PenFed Power Cash Rewards

    The PenFed Power Cash Rewards is better for penalties and fees, as it has no late fee, cash advance fee or foreign transaction fee. The Quicksilver card has a late fee of up to $40 and a cash advance fee of 5% of the amount or $5, whichever is greater.

    points icon

    Issuer Satisfaction: Quicksilver

    Quicksilver is issued by Capital One, with an issuer satisfaction rating of 4.2. PenFed Credit Union does not have a satisfaction rating available.

    airplane icon

    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Quicksilver provides complimentary Uber One membership credits and exclusive 5% cash back on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The PenFed Power Cash Rewards offers cell phone protection, travel accident coverage and complimentary access to Visa Signature Concierge.

Rewards Comparison

The PenFed Power Cash Rewards card provides a solid 1.5% back on all purchases, but PenFed Honors Advantage Members earn 2% on everything, which is a notable advantage for eligible members.

The Quicksilver card also offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with an added perk of 5% cash back on travel booked through Capital One. This makes it a strong contender for those who travel and prefer straightforward rewards.

The table below details the bonus categories for each card, allowing you to compare and decide which card best aligns with your spending habits.

Category
PenFed Power Cash Rewards
Quicksilver

Travel Booked Through Issuer Portal

N/A

5%

All Other Purchases

2% for PenFed Honors Advantage Members/1.5% for others

1.5%

Redeeming Rewards

PenFed Power Cash Rewards provides a straightforward cash back system without caps or limits. Rewards do not expire, ensuring your earnings remain available for use as long as your account is active.

Quicksilver offers a flexible redemption program, allowing you to redeem rewards for statement credits, checks or gift cards. No minimum amount is required, and you can opt for automatic redemption. Similarly, your rewards won't expire as long as your account remains open.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like PenFed Power Cash Rewards and Quicksilver by assigning scores for various use cases, such as cash back, which is the highest scoring use case for both cards.

The evaluation considers factors like the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. Other considerations include annual fees, introductory purchase offers and issuer satisfaction. For a detailed understanding of our scoring system, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: PenFed Power Cash Rewards vs. Quicksilver Card

What are the cash back rewards for each card?

PenFed offers up to 2% cash back for members. Quicksilver provides a flat 1.5% on all purchases, ideal for maximizing cash back rewards.

Do either of the cards have an annual fee?

No, both cards have no annual fee.

What is the required credit score for each card?

The required credit score range for both the PenFed Power Cash Rewards and Quicksilver cards is 670 to 850, which makes them accessible to those with good to excellent credit.

Are there any introductory offers associated with these cards?

Yes, both cards have introductory offers. PenFed Power Cash Rewards offers a $100 bonus statement credit if you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days of account opening. With Quicksilver, you can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus on $500 spent on purchases within three months of opening your account.

What are the balance transfer options available for these cards?

PenFed Power Cash Rewards offers 0% balance transfer APR for 12 months, while Quicksilver offers 0% APR for 15 months.

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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