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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards review: A simple way to earn cash back
Benét, known as the Aviation Queen, is a former senior editor at TPG who is best known for being an aviation journalist for 25-plus years. Her love affair with travel and aviation began at age 6, when her Air Force family moved from California to a military base outside of London. The family flew from JFK to London on a pretty new Pan Am 747. She was amazed when, in 1992, she got her first aviation journalism job.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
August 15, 2025 • 8 min read
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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers
Quick summary
This no-annual-fee cash-back card offers a straightforward, unlimited flat-rate cash-back structure on all purchases.
It provides a modest welcome bonus with a low spending threshold and includes benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, auto rental insurance and extended warranty protection.
Cardholders can redeem rewards for statement credits, checks, gift cards or at select online merchants, with no minimum redemption amount required.
Pairing this card with a travel-focused product from the same issuer allows conversion of cash-back to travel rewards, potentially increasing value through transfer partners.
What to consider
Approval is typically limited to one new card from this issuer every six months, and prior welcome bonus recipients must wait 48 months before qualifying again.
While the card offers solid baseline rewards, other products may provide higher earning rates in specific categories or additional perks.
Hertz status benefits require specific enrollment steps and may not be granted automatically.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing flat-rate and bonus-category cash-back cards, plus guidance on maximizing value through strategic card pairings.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card overview
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card keeps things simple with an unlimited 1.5% cash-back rate on every purchase, helping your rewards grow over time. However, other cash-back cards offer higher earning rates in specific categories. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
TPG recommends that applicants have a good credit score of 670 or higher when applying.
The Quicksilver's simple earning structure may be appealing, but what makes it even more so is the ability to transfer your rewards to Capital One's transfer partners when paired with a card that earns Capital One miles.
Most people should be able to meet the low minimum spending requirement without too much effort. But compared to the best travel credit cards, which can offer welcome bonuses worth thousands of dollars, this $200 is just a nice boost to your cash-back earnings.
Capital One does have some application restrictions you'll want to watch out for. You'll typically only be approved for one Capital One credit card every six months. Additionally, if you received a welcome bonus on this card in the past 48 months, you won't be eligible for another one until 48 months have passed.
However, the Quicksilver does include some benefits, such as charging no foreign transaction fees. This is a perk that, while now nearly universal on credit cards with annual fees, is rarer for no-annual-fee cards.
The Capital One Quicksilver earns an unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 1.5% back on all other purchases.
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Earning a fixed amount on most purchases is fine if you don't have one high-spending category. However, if you make many monthly purchases in one particular category, such as dining or groceries, you'll likely want to consider a card that earns a bonus in that category, such as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Redeeming cash back on the Capital One Quicksilver
You can redeem your rewards on the Capital One Quicksilver for a statement credit (the most popular option), check or gift card. You can also use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout and through PayPal.
There's no minimum redemption amount — just sign in to your account via the app or your computer and simply select your preference.
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TPG credit cards newsletter and partnerships editor Emily Thompson appreciates the versatility of cash-back rewards. Even though they can be less valuable than her favorite transferable rewards, she uses cash-back to cover things that points and miles don't, like airport snacks and activities.
However, you aren't limited to these redemption options if you have the right card pairing. If you also hold a card that earns Capital One miles, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can convert your cash-back to travel rewards at a rate of 1 cent of cash back to 1 Capital One mile. Then, you can transfer them to any of Capital One's 15-plus airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value.
Which cards compete with the Capital One Quicksilver?
The Capital One Quicksilver is a solid no-annual-fee cash back credit card. However, there are better choices for those looking for higher earning rates and more benefits.
If you want higher earning potential: The (see rates and fees) earns 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay) and has no annual fee. To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
If you prefer Chase: The (see rates and fees) also has no annual fee, earns at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases and allows you to transfer your rewards to valuable travel partners with the right card pairing. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
The Capital One Quicksilver is a good fit for people who want one card for everything because it has a simple, fixed 1.5% cash back earning rate. This card is a good choice if you don't spend much of your budget in typical bonus spending categories or prefer not to juggle cards when you're out and about. However, if you spend heavily in specific bonus categories, you may be better served by a card tailored to those purchases.
Bottom line
The Capital One Quicksilver delivers a straightforward 1.5% cash-back rate, a decent welcome bonus and useful benefits, all with no annual fee. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who values simplicity and flexibility in their rewards.
That said, if your spending skews heavily toward certain purchases, a card with higher earning rates in bonus categories could offer better returns.
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.
Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply
