Capital One credit card mini-reviews

7

mini reviews

When I first created our Best Credit Card Offers page, about 6 years ago, I included mini reviews with each card. Since then I’ve done a poor job at keeping that going.  To fix that, I’m working on adding mini reviews to each card, one bank at a time.  Since I had exactly zero mini reviews for the Capital One cards despite them having a number of excellent early spend bonus offers, I decided to start there.  What follows are the mini reviews that can also be found in the Capital One section of our Best Offers page.  Expect to see similar updates for other banks in the near future.

Card Offer and Details
Earn a one-time bonus of 150K miles after $30K spend in the first 3 months
$395 Annual Fee
Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
Recent better offer: Expired 3/31/23: 250K Miles after $50K in spend.
FM Mini Review: Similar to the Venture X consumer card, the business version offers annual rebates that easily mitigate the fee for those who travel often and could be worth it for the lounge access and travel protections given the cost/benefit ratio. Unlike the Venture X, free authorized users do not get Priority Pass access. The card earns 2 "miles" per dollar on most purchases just like the Capital One Venture X Rewards card, which are worth exactly 1 cent each toward travel. This makes the return on most spend similar to a 2% cash back card (though in this case you must redeem your miles to offset travel in order to get 1 cent per mile). One big advantage over cash back: Capital One allows transfering their "miles" to airline miles & hotel points. Click here for our complete card review
Earning rate: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel ✦ 5x on flights booked via Capital One travel. ✦ 2X everywhere else.
Base: 2X (2.9%)
Travel: 10X (14.5%)
Other: 10X (14.5%)
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel ✦ 10,000 bonus miles starting at first anniversary ✦ Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® ✦ Capital One Lounge Access ✦ Priority Pass w/ unlimited guests (includes restaurants) ✦ Plaza Premium lounge access ✦ Cell phone insurance ✦ Trip insurance ✦ Primary CDW coverage ✦ Redeem miles for travel at 1 cent per mile ✦ Convert "miles" to airline miles & hotel points
75K Miles + up to $200 in statement credits ⓘ Non-Affiliate
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after $4K spend in 3 months + up to $200 in statement credits when you make an Avelo purchase in your first year + priority boarding on Avelo flights for the first year. (Rates & Fees)
$95 Annual Fee
Alternate Offer: Airport Kiosk offer of 80K miles after $4K spend in the first 3 months See this post for details.
Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
FM Mini Review: This card earns 2 "miles" per dollar, which are worth exactly 1 cent each toward travel. This makes the return on spend similar to a 2% cash back card (though in this case you must redeem your miles to offset travel in order to get 1 cent per mile). One big advantage over cash back: Capital One allows transfering their "miles" to airline miles & hotel points. Click here for our complete card review
Earning rate: 2X miles everywhere ✦ 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
Base: 2X (2.9%)
Travel: 5X (7.25%)
Other: 5X (7.25%)
Card Info: Visa Signature issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® ✦ Redeem miles for travel at value of 1 cent per mile ✦ Convert "miles" to airline miles & hotel points ✦ No foreign transaction fees
75K Miles ⓘ Affiliate
75k miles after $4k spend within first 3 months. (Rates & Fees)
$395 Annual Fee
Recent better offer: Expired 3/14/22: 100K after $10K spend in 6 months + $200 credit for vacation rental spend in first year
FM Mini Review: This card offers annual rebates that easily mitigate the fee for those who travel often. Authorized users are free and also get access to perks like Priority Pass, Capital One Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, and more. The card earns 2 "miles" per dollar on most purchases just like the Capital One Venture Rewards card, which are worth exactly 1 cent each toward travel. This makes the return on most spend similar to a 2% cash back card (though in this case you must redeem your miles to offset travel in order to get 1 cent per mile). One huge advantage over cash back: Capital One allows transfering their "miles" to airline miles & hotel points. Click here for our complete card review
Earning rate: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel ✦ 5x miles on flights booked via Capital One travel. ✦ 2X miles everywhere else.
Base: 2X (2.9%)
Travel: 10X (14.5%)
Other: 10X (14.5%)
Card Info: Visa Infinite issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel ✦ 10,000 bonus miles each year starting at first anniversary ✦ Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® ✦ Capital One Lounge access ✦ Priority Pass membership w/ unlimited guests (lounges only) ✦ Plaza Premium lounge access ✦ Cell phone insurance ✦ Trip insurance ✦ Primary CDW coverage ✦ Redeem miles for travel at value of 1 cent per mile ✦ Convert "miles" to airline miles & hotel points
$1200 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 after $30K spend in the first 3 months. (Rates & Fees)
$150 Annual Fee
Recent better offer: Expired 3/14/22: $3K after $50K spend in 6 months
FM Mini Review: This may be a good option for business owners who prefer simple cash back rewards. Note that this is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month.
Earning rate: 2% everywhere ✦ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
Base: 2%
Travel: 5%
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: Get $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
Noteworthy perks: No foreign transaction fees ✦ No preset spending limit
50K Miles ⓘ Affiliate
Earn a one-time 50K miles bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months. (Rates & Fees)
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
FM Mini Review: This card is similar to the Spark Cash Plus card, but it has the advantage that "miles" earned with this card can be transferred to a large number of airline & hotel programs.
Earning rate: 2X Miles everywhere ✦ Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car
bookings through Capital One Travel
Base: 2X (2.9%)
Travel: 5X (7.25%)
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: Redeem miles for travel at value of 1 cent per mile ✦ Convert "miles" to airline miles & hotel points ✦ No foreign transaction fees ✦ Up to $100 fee credit for TSA Pre✓® application fee or Global Entry application fee
50K after $4,500 spend in 3 months from account opening
No Annual Fee
Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
FM Mini Review: This card is similar to the Spark Cash Select for Business, but rewards are intended to be used to offset travel purchases. This is a good option for business owners who prefer simple rewards with no annual fee, and who value free travel over cash back. If you spend more than $19K per year, though, go for the 2X Spark Miles card.
Earning rate: 1.5X miles everywhere ✦ Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel
Base: 1.5X (2.18%)
Travel: 5X (7.25%)
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: Redeem miles for travel at value of 1 cent per mile ✦ Convert "miles" to airline miles & hotel points ✦ No foreign transaction fees
$750 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate
Earn a $750 bonus aftet you spend $6K in 3 months from account opening. (Rates & Fees)
No Annual Fee
FM Mini Review: This is a good option for business owners looking for simple cash back rewards with no annual fee. If you spend $30,000 or more per year, though, you would be better off with the 2% Spark Cash Plus card.
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere ✦ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
Base: 1.5%
Travel: 5%
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: No foreign transaction fees
20K miles ⓘ Affiliate
Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. (Rates & Fees)
No Annual Fee
FM Mini Review: Decent welcome bonus for a card with no annual fee, but other cards offer better rewards for ongoing spend. Click here for our complete card review
Earning rate: 1.25X miles everywhere ✦ 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
Base: 1.25X (1.81%)
Travel: 5X (7.25%)
Other: 5X (7.25%)
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: Redeem miles for travel at value of 1 cent per mile ✦ Convert "miles" to airline miles & hotel points
$300 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate
Earn a one time bonus: $300 after $3K spend in 3 months from account opening
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
FM Mini Review: Excellent cash back card for dining and entertainment spend.
Earning rate: 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services ✦ 3% at grocery stores ✦ 1% everywhere else ✦ 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases ✦ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
Base: 1%
Travel: 5%
Dine: 4%
Grocery: 3%
Other: 4%
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: No foreign transaction fees
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate
One time bonus: $200 after $500 spend in 3 months from account opening. (Rates & Fees)
No Annual Fee
FM Mini Review: While you can do better with a 2% cash back card that has no annual fee, the Quicksilver card often offers excellent discounts with popular services such as Uber or Spotify.
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere ✦ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
Base: 1.5%
Travel: 5%
Other: 5%
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: No foreign transaction fees ✦ Up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
$200 Cash Back ⓘ Affiliate
One time bonus: $200 after $500 spend in 3 months from account opening. (Rates & Fees)
No Annual Fee
Earning rate: 3% on dining, entertainment, select streaming services, and purchases at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) ✦ 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases ✦ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel (terms apply) ✦ 1% everywhere else
Base: 1%
Travel: 5%
Dine: 3%
Grocery: 3%
Other: 3%
Card Info: Mastercard issued by CapOne. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: Complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024 ✦ No foreign transaction fees

A note about Capital One credit card applications

When you apply for a Capital One credit card, you’ll usually get hard inquiries on all three credit bureau reports (most banks pull from just one or two).  This can be an issue if you already have a lot of inquiries.  Some who apply for cards often like to balance out their inquiries by applying for cards from issuers that pull from different bureaus in order to avoid getting denied for future applications due to “too many recent inquiries”.  If you only apply for a few cards per year, this is probably not going to be an issue for you.  To see which credit bureaus each bank pulls from in your state, search the CreditBoards Credit Pulls Database.

Also note that Capital One does report business credit cards to the credit bureaus.  So, unlike business cards from most other banks, Capital One business cards will count against your 5/24 status which can make it harder to get certain Chase credit cards in the near future.  More info can be found here.

Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

7 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments