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

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’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.

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

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.

Welcome 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 bonus, 40% cash back. However, cash back cards overall have smaller bonuses than travel cards do.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.