Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: 1.5% Cash Back on Everything

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ of 5
On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% variable
Rewards Summary
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back
Introductory Offer
Earn $200 Cash Back
Intro Offer APR
0% for 15 months on purchases
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Quicksilver Review

Since 2013, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has been a great choice for cash back credit cards. Among the 52 cards with cash back rewards we analyzed, Quicksilver stands out as one of the best, with unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee.

Although 2% flat cash back cards have entered the market, Quicksilver continues to provide solid value thanks to its other card features, including no foreign transaction or penalty APRs and an introductory 15-month 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. For a reliable, all-in-one card, Quicksilver often outperforms category-bonus cards, which may offer higher rewards in select spending categories but only 1% elsewhere.

Capital One has introduced several variant cards under the Quicksilver brand, such as the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Card, which provides the same 1.5% cash back but is accessible to those with fair credit in exchange for an annual fee and no introductory 0% APR offer. Student and secured card variants of Quicksilver are also available for those building credit.

Quicksilver Cash Back Rewards

Quicksilver’s 1.5% cash back on all purchases is simple and quite rewarding. The card ranks 11th among cash back cards for its rewards earning potential. The card also earns 5% cash back on purchases through Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment. Rewards do not expire as long as the account is open, and redemption options are flexible, including statement credits and checks.

Use Quicksilver as your go-to cash back card for every purchase. You can maximize your cash back by adding cards with bonus categories for areas where you spend more, like groceries, gas, travel or dining. Almost all bonus category cash back cards earn 1% cash back on non-bonus purchases, so Quicksilver will remain your card of choice, from movie tickets to car repairs.

Quicksilver Cash Back Estimator

Estimate the value of the cash back rewards you could earn with the Quicksilver card. Enter your spending in the categories below to see your potential rewards.

Important Disclaimers:

  • This calculator is for planning and evaluation purposes and is not sponsored or endorsed by Capital One.
  • Some of your purchases may not be eligible for earning points.
  • The value of points at redemption will vary.
1

How much do you spend on other purchases monthly? (1.5% cash back)

$
2

How much do you spend on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel annually? (5% cash back)

$
3

How much do you spend on hotels booked through Capital One Travel annually? (5% cash back)

$
Total Cash Back Earned:$0

Penalties, Fees and Interest Rates

The absence of a penalty APR and foreign transaction fees should not be overlooked. We give the Quicksilver card a 4 out of 5 for penalties and fees (higher is better), and it ranks fifth among cash back cards for its more favorable fee structure shown below.

  • Regular APR: 19.99% to 29.99% variable
  • Penalty APR: None
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Cash Advance Fee: 5% of the amount of each cash advance or $5, whichever is greater
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None
  • Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
  • Overlimit Fee: None
  • Balance Transfer Fee: 3% for the first 15 months
  • Returned Payment Fee: None

Introductory Offers and Sign-Up Bonuses

The Quicksilver card’s introductory offers are competitive compared to other cash back cards.

Introductory APR Offers

For purchases, the Quicksilver card's 0% APR for 15 months is ranked third among cash back cards. It's a solid card if you're planning significant purchases and looking for rewards and zero interest. However, more dedicated zero interest cards can get you out to 18 and even 21 months interest-free.

For balance transfers, the 0% APR is for 15 months, with a 3% fee for the first 15 months. It's a respectable offer for a cash back card, but the card isn’t the best balance transfer option. Nine other cash back cards offer a similar or the same deal, and we rate the balance transfer offer as 3.5 out of 5.

Sign-up Bonuses

The $200 cash bonus, earned after spending $500 in the first three months, is one of the best returns on spending you can find for a sign-up bonus, 40% cash back. However, cash back cards overall have smaller sign-up bonuses than travel cards do.

Perks and Benefits

Although the Quicksilver card doesn't lead in perks for cash back cards, the card’s extended warranty is an overlooked card benefit that can be helpful if your TV or phone expires sooner than you had hoped. Here are the key benefits of the card:

  • Extended warranty on eligible purchases
  • Travel accident insurance provides coverage for travel-related accidents
  • Access to Capital One’s shopping portals, including Capital One Travel, Dining and Shopping, which offer competitive prices and deals

Getting the Card

The Quicksilver card requires good to excellent credit, like most of the higher rewards cash back cards we review. User forum posts indicate that Capital One is sensitive to credit inquiries, so managing these before applying can increase your chances. Cardholders also indicate that Capital One makes a credit pull from all three credit bureaus when you apply.

Upgrades from other Capital One cards are possible, like if you start with the Capital One Platinum or the QuicksilverOne. Cardholders report success in seeking upgrades with good account management and persistence.

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QUICKSILVER VARIANTS

Other Quicksilver card variants may be available if you’re not likely to be approved for the Quicksilver card today. Capital One has Quicksilver card variants including Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver Secured Card and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Card. They all offer 1.5% cash back but have fewer benefits than the Quicksilver card.

Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction with Capital One is generally positive. We rate it a 4.2 out of 5 for issuer satisfaction. However, some online users express frustration with limited credit line increases and the triple credit bureau pull that Capital One does when you apply.

How Quicksilver Compares

To help you find the best cards for your needs, we’ve compared the Quicksilver card with similar cash back cards.

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

For those deciding between the Quicksilver credit card and the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, the choice comes down to credit score and fees. The Quicksilver is the better option if you qualify. However, if your credit score is fair, the QuicksilverOne provides a viable alternative, allowing you to earn the same 1.5% cash back while building credit. Despite its $39 annual fee and lack of introductory offers, the QuicksilverOne remains a solid choice for those who need a more accessible card.

Read our full comparison: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Credit Card logo for Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ of 5
On Issuer's Site

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is the better choice for cash back rewards, offering 2% cash back. However, the Quicksilver card is competitive in terms of other features. It offers a longer 0% introductory APR period of 15 months compared to Wells Fargo Active Cash's 12 months. The Quicksilver card offers perks that the Wells Fargo Active Cash does not, notably the extended warranty, and has fewer penalties and fees.

Read our full comparison: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Credit Card logo for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

All Quicksilver Card Comparisons

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

I’ve had the Capital One Quicksilver in my portfolio of cards for years. It’s great if you want to earn cash back, but with further analysis of my own spending trends, other cards could net even more cash back rewards. If cash back is your preferred reward, do a deep dive into several card options to find the one that fits your habits and expenses the best. Brett Holzhauer, contributing expert for MoneyGeek

Cards to Pair With Quicksilver

With the Quicksilver’s 1.5% cash back creating a consistent floor for your cash back, pair it with a card that’s rewarding for bonus categories you spend in frequently, like groceries or dining, to get even higher cash back.

If groceries are one of your biggest ongoing purchases, pair the Quicksilver card with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express. Use the Blue Cash Preferred for purchases at U.S. grocery stores, where it offers 6% cash back on the first $6,000 of spending annually, then 1%, U.S. streaming subscriptions at 6%, and for U.S. gas stations and U.S. transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more at 3%. For all other purchases, Quicksilver's flat 1.5% cash back ensures you’re earning higher cash back than the Blue Cash Preferred’s base rate of 1% cash back. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

You can execute this strategy with a variety of other cards with bonus categories. For example, if you’re a dedicated Target or Walmart shopper, you won’t get 6% cash back on groceries because of how your purchases are coded. However, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card provides 6% cash back with a quarterly cap of $1,500 on two retailers of your choice.

Credit Card logo for Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

Is Quicksilver Right for You?

The Quicksilver credit card is a solid choice for everyday spenders who appreciate simplicity. With unlimited 1.5% cash back, it offers good value that often outperforms the cash back earnings of cards that offer bonus categories.

There are 2% flat cash back cards that will outearn the Quicksilver. However, the Quicksilver's other features are notable and contribute to the high score we give to the card.

Quicksilver gets good marks for its introductory 0% APR offers for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. The card’s low fee and penalty structure are also attractive. Although most cash back cards don't have an annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and no penalty APR are points in the Quicksilver's favor. Finally, access to the Capital One ecosystem is a positive factor that can give you additional cash back on travel purchases and pave the way for card upgrades in the future.

Credit Card logo for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
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BEST CASH BACK CARDS OF 2024

Still trying to decide about the Quicksilver card? Check out our list of the best cash back credit cards to help you find one that matches your spending habits and lifestyle.

How We Evaluated the Quicksilver Card

We evaluated the Quicksilver credit card among 52 cash back. MoneyGeek’s cash back scoring model used the following weights:

  • Effective Reward Rate (50%): Measures the card's cash back program.
  • Annual Fee (10%): Assesses the cost of maintaining the card.
  • Introductory Purchase Offer (5%): Evaluates the 0% APR offer.
  • Recommended Credit (5%): Rates accessibility based on credit score.
  • Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on J.D. Power's study.
  • Penalties (5%): Assesses penalty rates and fees.
  • Regular APR (5%): Evaluates the standard APR.
  • Foreign Transaction (5%): Assesses fees for foreign transactions.
  • Offer ROI (5%): Measures return on investment for bonus offers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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.


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*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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