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Capital One SavorOne Student Credit Card Review
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has emerged as a compelling choice for college students looking to build credit while earning rewards. This comprehensive review examines the card's features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you make an informed decision.
What Is the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a student-focused credit card that combines robust rewards with credit-building features. It's designed specifically for enrolled college students, offering cash back benefits typically reserved for non-student credit cards, along with tools to help develop responsible credit habits.
The card stands out with its generous rewards structure:
- 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Capital One SavorOne Student Card Pros & Cons
Pros:
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- Unlimited bonus categories with no spending caps
- Access to the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Automatic credit line reviews
- CreditWise monitoring tools
- Virtual credit card numbers for secure online shopping
- Travel and purchase protection benefits
Cons:
- Higher credit score requirements compared to some student cards
- No intro APR offer for purchases or balance transfers
- Balance transfer fee applies
- Limited redemption options through Capital One Travel portal
Who Is the Capital One SavorOne Student Card For?
This card is ideally suited for:
College Students with Some Credit History
The card typically requires at least a fair credit score (580-669), making it more suitable for students who have already begun building their credit history. Applicants must be enrolled either full-time or part-time at an accredited university.
Frequent Diners and Entertainment Enthusiasts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Spending Report, college students spend significantly on dining and entertainment. The card's 3% cash back in these categories aligns perfectly with typical student spending patterns.
International Students
The card accepts applications from international students with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if they don't have a Social Security Number. Combined with no foreign transaction fees, this makes it an excellent choice for international students.
Comparing the SavorOne Student Card with Other Credit Cards
When considering the SavorOne Student Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the credit builder card category:
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Credit Builder account
- Key features: No credit check to apply, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: No minimum security deposit required
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card (rate & fees):
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Minimum $200, which becomes your credit limit
- Key features: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, automatic credit line reviews
- Standout feature: Earn rewards while building credit
Current Build Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Build account
- Key features: No credit check required, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: Linked to Current banking app for easy fund transfers
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- SavorOne Student Card excels in combining robust rewards with credit-building features
- Chime Credit Builder offers flexibility with no minimum deposit
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured provides cash back rewards
- Current Build integrates with banking app for convenient use
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Consider Using Kudos to Maximize Your Rewards
While the Capital One SavorOne Student Card offers excellent rewards, you can potentially earn even more by pairing it with Kudos, a free AI-powered browser extension. Kudos helps you:
- Automatically identify when to use your SavorOne card for maximum rewards
- Track spending across all your credit cards
- Discover additional reward opportunities
- Multiply your rewards up to 5X during special events
If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. They're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
Based on our proprietary card rating system and independent research, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 4.5 out of 5 stars. Its combination of no annual fee, strong ongoing rewards structure, and credit-building features makes it an excellent choice for students looking to establish credit while earning rewards on everyday purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Student Card FAQ
What are the age and income requirements?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to demonstrate sufficient income or assets to pay their minimum monthly payments.
How does the credit utilization ratio affect my score?
Your credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your credit limit you're using, significantly impacts your credit score. It's recommended to keep this ratio below 30%.
Can I product change to a different Capital One card later?
Yes, Capital One typically allows product changes to different cards once you've established a good payment history and your credit needs change.
What credit score do I need to qualify?
While Capital One doesn't publish minimum credit score requirements, most approved applicants have at least a fair credit score (580 or higher).
Are there any account activation fees?
No, the card has no account activation fees, annual fees, or monthly fees.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
